Another word for the Assistant-Adjutant General is 'Secretary' to the commander. His task was to keep and maintain the letter book, order books and other records. On the battlefiled he was kept close to the field officer for pupose of transmitting and receiving orders. If necessary he would bear orders to the various commands. However, the task of bearing orders was saved for either dispatch riders or aides-de-camps. In the case of Colonels in command of regiments the above generally did not apply and the Adjt Genl. was used as the Colonel saw fit.