Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-22
IMPORTANT ORDER BY GENERAL
MCCLELLAN

MCCLEILAN.
Gen. Mcclellan has issued an army order,
based on the executive order for the use Of
the property and the employment of the slaves
Of rebels. We publish the larger portion of
it, not only for the admirably calm and
statasmanlike manner in which it treats the
various matters involved, but for the clean
work il incidentally mikes with the perfect
delugo Of unfoundtd and malicious calumnies
hitherto poured upon Gen. Mcclellan. IL
appears that the presidential order does not
modify Gen. McClolans practice in the
slightest degree but that in appropriating
rebel property and in employing and freeing
the negroes, he has f. ON the first pursued the
exact course prescribed by the new order.
We imagine that some very good people
who have been reading every day for year
about Gen. McClellan's terrible determine
ton to preserve slavery, and conserve slave
ry, and perpetuate slavery, even at the sacri-
flee of thousands, Of white men, will open
their eyes wide whom they see how basely
they have been deceived. What single
charge against Gen. Mcclellan, by which the
prejudices of " earnest men have been ex-
cited almost to maignity, remains now I'M
answered and senced
II ia TO be noticed as a fact hot a little re-
markable and significant, under all the cir
cumstances, that Gen. Mcclellan is the first
Of our generals to publish to the negroes an
authorized assurance on behalfof the govern
ment that those who have engaged in its
service shall be forever after free. The first
legal and effective proclamation of eman-
cipaiion' comes from Gen. Mcclellan The
fact will fairly choke the GROWERS.
Having quoted the order of the president,
Gen. Mcclellan order proceeds as follows
No official copy u this order has been received at
these headquarters, and the general commanding for
this reason delayed the issuing Of general order to
~ into ec the views and directions Of the president
Some recent occurrences in this army nave however,
Shown that become necessary to do So To prevent
this execu i've order being made IteteNt for military
license The order Of the president accurds subsan
TALLY with the uniformly pursued by this army
this peninsula under the orders and instructions Of the
general commanding, that no material change ia any re-
spect required thereby in its conduct and government
Personal property necessary or convenient for supplies
or other miaJ purposes uf this army will be, here
tofoe seized and used by the proper quartermaser
subsistence 9th upon the orders u commanders Of
army corps In OF troops employ on detached
service where army corps commanders not accessye,
by order Of the officer in command of such detached
forces. In AL the officers thus making the seizure
shall take account showing the kind aud quantities
VI property seized and by whose command the amounts
OF its estimated value, aud the Of the persons
from whom the same shall have Whenever cir
oumstances admit of doing receipts will be given to
the owners Their agents. specifying simply the paTtc-
uidrs above mentioned Copies Of all such accounts and
receipts wilt be transmitted in the usual manner by the
officers making them to these headquarters.
All officers and soldiers Of this army enjoined
and ordered abstain all private proper
~ except in the mode aDoye prescribed all other APP
proprations will be regarded and punished pillage
The idea that puvAe property may be pundeied with
hnpuuity is perePs the very worst that pervade
army. Marauding degrades men aud demoTalizes as
soldiers all whocugage in it, and returns them 10 their
homes untitled for The pursuits Of honest industry
THIS army is composed mostly Of Young men, aud the
general commanding 70 whose they entrusted,
owes II TO the parents who have their and to
the communities that the flower Of their youth
into the military service II their county, TO and
restrain them nom evil pernici0us The order Of
the president requires the application Of similar rule
IN the use Of real property THIS however, does not ap
ply to such uses ss lnseparabe from military opera
tons, to wit marches, camps, pasturage, hospitals
depots quarters and damages occasoned by active hos
uhieS but no use should be made or injury done to
real property beyond what Is actually necessary
Nehent for military purposes The destruction OF any
species ut prupefg ia wantOnness malice Is expressly
prohibited by the presidents order. well by the
ticles Of and The usages all civilized nations All
commanding officers earnestly enjoiued exercise
the utmost vigilance on this subject. Struggling and
uespassing the ihvarable indications Of tendency
To this description Of crime.
Inhabitants especially women and children remain
ing peaccably at their homes must not be molested /;
and Wherein commanding officers lind families peculiar
y exposed IN their persons OF property Ia mafauding
rom tins army, they will as heretofore. 50 far as they
eau do SO With safety and without dcirmeni 10 the
service, post guards for their protection. In pro-
teciiug private property, reference is int nd
cd persons held to service labor by reason Of
African descent Such persons will be regarded by this
army, they heretofore have BEEN occupying simply
peculiar legal sftus under law which condition
the mill ~ aua-s tics Of the United States
quired TO regard Al all in districts where military opera
tons made Necessary the rebelious action OF the
state governments. Persons subject suspicion Of hos
tile purposes, residing being forces, will be,
heretofore subject and detention until the
necessity is removed All such arrested parties
Will be sent, usual 10 the provost marshal general
with staemon Of the facts in each The general
commanding takes This occasion 10 remind the officers
and soldiers Of this army that engaged in sup
porting HE constitution and laws Of the United States
and in suppesng rebellion ganst their authority that
we are not engaged Ia Of iapine revenge, sub
Jugauon that this is not against populations
but against aimed forces and political organizations !;
that rs stugge carried within the United States
and should be conducted by upon the highest prnc
pies known TO Christian civilization.
"Since this army commenced active operations, per-
sons NJ African descent including those held TO service
or labor under laws, have always neen received
projected aud employed lAborefs at wages Hereafter
1t shall be the duty Of the provost marshal general to
cause lists 10 be made Of all persons " African descent
employed IN this atmy a0orers for military purposes
such lists being made sufficiently and in detail
TO show tom whom such persons shall have Per
sons 50 subject and employed have always understood
that amer being received into the military service Of the
United states in any capacity, they could be
claimed by their former holders Except upon such un
dersandnS their part the order Of the president
10 this class Of persons would be imperative The gen
erEl commanding therefore feels authorized 10 declare to
all such employees that they will receive permanent
military protection against any compulsatory return
condition OF seryituAc"