Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-17
HEADQUARTERS or THE ARMY,
NATIONAL PALACE OF MEXICO, SEPT. IL, 184

GENERAL ORDERS-No. 287.
L. 1t still to be apprehended that many grave offences
not provided for in the act of Congress establishing rules
and articles for the government of the armies of the Uni
ted States, approved April 10, 1906 may be again CON-
mtted by upon individuals Of those armies in Mexico
pending the existing war between the two Republics
Ausion is here made to offences any one Of which, if
committed within the United States or their organized
Territories would of be tried and severely punish
ed by the ordinary civil courts of the land
2. Assassination murder, poisoning rape or the at
tsmpt to commit either; malicious stabbng manning
malicious assault and battery robbery theft the wanton
Dissertation of churches, cemeteries or other religious
edifces and fixtures the interruption of religious
MONIES and the destruction except by order of supe-
ror officer, Of public private property, such
offences
g. The good Of the service, the honor of the United
States and the interests of humanity mperousy demand
that every crime above should be severely
ished.
But the written code, above commonly called the
Rules and Arf War, does provide for the punish
ment of Of those crimes when committed by in
dvduals of the army upon the persons property Of
other individuals Of the same the very restricted
in the 9th of those articles for like outrages
committed by the class of individuals upon the per-
or property of hostile country except very par
code is absolutely silent all injuries which may be
inflicted upon individuals of the army their property
against the laws of war, by individuals of hostile
country
g. For all the offences, therefore, enumerated in the
second paragraph above which may be committed abroad
In by, or upon the army, supplemental code is abso-
lutely needed.
T. That unwriaen code is Martial Lar as an addition
to the erte military CODE prescribed by Congress in the
rules and articles of war; and which unwritten code all
armies in hostile countries forced to adopt not only
for their safety but for the protection of the unoend
ing inhabitants and their property about the theatres of
military operations against injuries on the part Of the
army, contrary to the laws Of war
8. From the supreme necessity, martial law is
hereby declared supplemental CODE in and about all
Cities towns, camps posts hospitals and other places
which be occupied by any part of the forces of the
United States in Mexico and in and about all columns,
escorts conveys guards and detachments Of the said
forces while engaged in prosecuting the existing war in
and against the said Republic and while remaining with
in the same.
D. Accordingly, every crime enumerated in paragraph
No. 2 above, whether committed-l BY any inhabitant
of Mexico sojourner traveller therein upon the person
or property of any individual Of the United States forces
retainer or follower of the same @ BY any individual Of
the said forces retainer follower of the same upon the
person property Of any nhabtant OF Mexico soourner
or traveller therein B. By any individual of the said
iorces iner, foowerof the same, upon the person
properly Of any other individual Of the said forces
or follower of the same, shall be duly tried and pun
isneo under the said supplemental code
THIS purpose it is ordered that all offenders in
the matters aforesaid shall be promptly seized confined
and reported for trial before Military Coumisons to be
duly appointed, Then given.l
TO- Inc administration Of justice both in civil and cr
~ina matters through the ordinary courts Of the coun
try shall nowhere, and in degree be interrupted by
any ofcer or soldier Of the American forces excep In
cases to which an officer soldier, agent servant or fol
lower Of the American army may be party and O. In
political cases that is prosecutions against other ndiv
duals on the allegations that they have given friendly in
formation, aid, assistance to the American forces
H. For the and safety Of both parties in a cities
and towns occupied by the American army Mexican
police mall be established and duly harmcnised with the
military police Of the said forces.
49, This splendid capital, its churches and religious
worship its converts and monaseres its Inhabitants