Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-07-25
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, I
WASHINGTON, July 16.


[GESERAL ORDER No IL
The people of the valley of the Shenandoah |
and throughout the region of operations of this |
army, living along the lines Of railroads and
telegraph, and along the routes of travel in the
rear OF the U. s. forces, are notified that they
will be held responsible for any injury done the
track line or road, or for any attacks upon trains
or struggling soldiers by bands of guerrillas in
their neighborhOod.
No privilege or immunties 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 and obtaining
safety on the pretext of being peaceful citizens,
steal out in the rear of the army, attack and muir
der struggling soldiers molest teams of supplies
destroy railroads, telegraph lines and bridges
and commit outrages disgraceful TO civilized
people and revolving to humanity. Evil dis
posed personsin in the rear of our armies who do
not themselves engage directly in these lawless
acts encourage them by refusing to interfere or
give any Information by which acts can be pre-
vented or the perpetrators punished.
The safety of the life and property of all per-
sons living in the rear of our advancing army
depend upon the maintenance of peace among
themselves and the unmolested movements thro'
their midst of all pertaining to the military SER
vice. They are to understand distinctly that
the security of travel is their only warrant of
personal safety. 1t is, therefore, ordered that
whenever railroad, wagon road, or telegraph
line = injured by parties of guerrias, the citi-
zens living within five miles of the post shall
be turned out enmasse TO repair the damage and
shall besides pay the United States in money
or property, to be collected by military force the
full amount Of the pay and subsistence of the
whole force necessary to coerce the performance
of the work during the time occupied in COM
pletng il.
II a soldier or legitimate follower of the army
be fired upon from any house the house shall
be razed to the ground and the inhabitants sent
as prisoners TO the headquarters Of this army
If such an outrage occur at any place distant
from settlement, the people within FIVE miles
around shall be held responsible and made TO
pay an indemnity sufficient for the case and any
persons detected in such outrsges, either during
the act or at any time afterwards, shall be shot
without waiting civil process. No such acts
can influence the result of this war and they can
only lead to heavy affiiction to the population
to no purpose. II is therefore enioned 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 perpetratation of such outrages, whilst it is
the wish OF the General commanding this army
that all peaceful disposed persons who remain al
their homes and pursue their accustomed ayoca-
tion shall be subjected to to no improper burden
Of War yet their own safety must Of necessity
depend upon the strict preservation OF peace
and order among themselves, and they are to
understand that nothing shah deter him from
enforcing promptly and TO the full extent every
provision Of this order.
BY command Of Major General Pone.
(Signedt) GEO. D. RUGGLES,