Guides of a regiment consisted of 4 Sergeants and a Corporal. They were the color sergeant in the center of the regiment, the right and left general guide which stand at the far right and left of the regiment in the line of file closers, the closing sergeant who stands in the front rank at far left and a corporal who stands behind him in the rear rank. Guides are responsible for keeping the regiments intervals and marking the flanks when the regiment moves.

Paper bound volume with covers made of cardboard covered in red cloth with the title in gold on the front. This the original cover and it shows light wear from age and storage. Interior end boards are marbled.

The book meas. approx. 4.00 x 5.50 inches and has 60 numbered pages and there are numerous diagrams.

Complete title is “SCHOOL OF THE GUIDES; DESIGNED FOR USE OF THE MILITIA OF THE UNITED STATES.” The author is Col. Eugene Le Gal of the 55^th Regt. NYSM. The volume was published by D. Van Nostrand of New York in 1860.

Title page is signed in period ink “S. D. OLIPHANT.”

Samuel Duncan Oliphant was born in Franklin Forge, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1824. At age 36 he was commissioned Captain of Company G, 37^th Pennsylvania Infantry (8^th Pennsylvania Reserves.) He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel on June 28, 1861 and resigned December 29, 1862. During his time with the regiment it saw action on the Peninsula, 2^nd Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam.

In June of 1863 he was assigned as Major of the 14^th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps. By December he was Colonel and in June of 1865 he was made a brigadier general by brevet.

After the war Oliphant became a prominent lawyer in Trenton, New Jersey. He died on October 23, 1904 in Trenton and is buried there in Riverview Cemetery.

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