I can see why they laughed. Being green in the articles of war, I find it hard to fathom. And, what I have read, many of the sub officers (lower ranking) did not follow so strictly. They were worried about getting themselves and men out alive. Or, the punishments were not so severe. (not all, of course). So, were deserters (as my gr gf Thomas Cussen) that was "in arrest" mean he was court martialed? (in arrest Jan 1863- Dec 1863 reported deserted). It seems like at that time, Texas desertion was at an all time high - hundreds in the Louisiana time

"HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 16, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
We notice the rather tough sentence by a recent court-martial here on a soldier for stealing, viz: To wear a "barrel shirt," one hour each day for ten consecutive days, the barrel to be marked front and rear "Thief" in large letters. The parade ground to be up and down Market street from the Market House to Tremont street, to be attended by a proper guard, with a drum and fife, to the tune of "Yankee doodle."