Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-07-19
HEADQUARTERS, Army OF VA. /
WASHINGTON July lS, 1862.
Col. A. A. G. 8 Chief OF Stat
General Order No. ~

General Order No. ~
The people of the valley of the Sheuan-
doah and throughout the region of this ar
my living along the line of travel 10 rear
of the U. s. forces are notified that they
will be held responsible for any injury
done to the track, line or road, or for any
attack upon trains or struggling soldiers
by bands of guerrillhs in their neighbour
hood. No privileges or immunities of war
can apply to lawless bands of individuals
not forming part of the organized forces of
the enemy nor wearing the garb of soldiers
who seeking aud obtaining safety on pre-
text of being peaceful citizens, steal out in
the rear of the army, attack and murder
struggling soldiers, modest trains of sup
plies, destroy railroads, telegraph lines and
bridges. and commit outrages disgraceful
to civilized people and revolving to human-
ity. Evil disposed persons in rear of our
armies who do not themselves engage de
rectly in these lawiess acts encourage them
by refusing to interfere or give any infor-
nation by whichs uch acts can be prevent
ed or the perpetrators punished. Safety
of life and property of all persons living in
the rear OF our advancing armies depend
upon the maintenance of peace and quiet
among themselves aud upon the unmolested
movements through their midst pertaining
to the military service they are to under
stand distinctly that this security of travel
is their only warrant of personal safety
II is therefore ordered that whenever a
railroad, wagon road or telegraph is in
jured by parties of guerrillus, the whole
force within FIVE miles of the spot, shall be
turned ont en- mdSse to repair the damage,
and shall besides pay to the United States
ia money or in property to be levied by
military force, the full amount of the pay
IL Il.
sary to coerce the performance of the work
during the time occupied in completing it.
II a soldier or legitimate follower of the
army be fired upon from any house, the
house shall be RACED to the ground, and
the inhabitants sent prisoners to the Head
Quarters of this army. Ii such an outrage
occur at any place distant from settle
ments, the people within five miles around
shall be hela accountable and made to pay
an indemnity sufficient for the case.
Any persons detected in such outrages,
either during the act or at any time after
wards, shall be shot without waiting civil
process.
No such acts can influence the result of
this war and they can only lead to heavy
affection to the population to no purpose.
1t is therefore enjoined upon all persons,
both for the security Of their property and
the safety of their own persons, that they
act vigorously and cordially together to
prevent the preparation of such outrages.
Whilst it is the wish of the General COM
manding this army that all peaceably dis
posed persons who remain at their homes
and pursue their accustomed ayocations
shall be subjected to no improper burthen
of war, yet their own safety must of me-
cessity depend upon the strict preservation
of peace and order among themselves, and
they are to understand that nothing will
deter him from enforcing promptly and to
the full extent every provision of this
order.
By command of Maj Gen Pope.
GEO. D. RuGGLEs,
COL, A. A. G. and Chief of Staff.