The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-21
Proclamation of Gen. Butler.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE UoLA,
Nnr OrInnns May | 1862.

It'd states and having been evacuated by the rebel
forces in whose possession they LATELY "elt anu oen6
now in occupation of the forces OF the uhed states,
who have come to restore order maintain pubhc tran
nifty enforce and quiet under the laws andconstl-
tuition of the United States the maorgeneral command
n the forces of the e. States in the department OF he
Gulf hereby makes known the object ana purposes oi
fine government of the United States IN thus taxing
nossession of the city OF New Orleans ana otate u
ousana and the rules and regulations by which tue
laws of the United States will be for the present and
durng state Of war enforced and maintandd Tor the
pan guidance of all good citizens OF the United States
as well as others who may have heretofore been III re-
bellion against their authority
Thrice before has tie city of New Orleans been res
cned from the hand of foreign government and still
more calanlitous domestic Instruction, by the money
and arms of the United States. 1t has OF late been
under the military control OF the rebel forces claiming
to be the peculiar friends OF its citizens, and at eac
time in the Judgment of the commander, OF tue mill
tary forces holding it. has been found necessary to
preserve order and maintain quiet the administration OF
law martial Even during the interim from its Yacua-
ton by the rebel soldiers and its actual possession by
the soldiers OF the United States the civil authorizes
of the city have found it necessary to call for the IN
prevention of an armed body known the European
Legion, to preserve public TRANQUILITY. The command,
inc general therefore, the city to be governed
until the restoration of municipal authority and ms
further orders by the law martial measure for which
would the previous recital furnishes suhceh1
precedents.
An persopg in arms against the United States
oured to surrender themselves, with their arms equip
ments and munitions of war. The body known as the
"European Legion not being understood to be IN arms
against the United States but organised to protect the
lives and property of the citizens, and are invited s
to cooperate with the forces of the United States to that
end and so acting sll not be included IN the terms OF
this order but will report to these headquarters.
All flags ensigns and devices, tending TO uphold
anv authority whatever save the flag of the United
States and the flags of foreign consnates, must not De
exhibited but suppressed The American ensign, the
emblem Of the United States must be treated with the
utmost Difference and respectby all persons under pain
Of severe punishment.
All persons well disposed towards the goTer9pent
of the United States who shall renew their oath OF
allegiance will receive the safeguard and protecuon
in their persons and property OF the armies OF the
United States the violation OF which, by any person.
is punishable with death
An persons still holding allegiance to the Confederate
States will be deemed rebels against the government Of
the United States and regarded and treated as enemies
thereof
to their respective governments, and not having made
oath of allegiance to the supposed government OF the
Confederate States will be protected in their persons
and property as heretofore under the laws Of the
United States.
All persons who may heretofore have given their ad
herence to the supposed government Of the Conied-
crate States or have been in their service who shall
law down and deliver up their and return peace
fu occupations and preserve quiet and ORDER holding
no giving aid aud comfort to
the enemies Of the United States will not be disturbed
either in person or property except far under the
orders of the commanding general, the eX1gencIes OF
the public service may render necessary
The keepers of all public property whether State,
national or Confederate such as collections Of art
libraries museums, well Us all public buildings, all
munitions of war and armed vessels will at make
and 4lt
faeturers of arms and munitions of will report to
these headquarters their kind and places Of business
All rights of property of whatever kind will be held
nvioate subject only to the laws of the United States
All inhabitants are enjoined to pursue their usual
ayocatons all shops and places OF business and amuse
ment are TO be kept open in the accustomed manner
and services be had in churches and religious houses
as III times of profound peace.
Keepers of all public houses, coffee houses and
drinking saloons report their and numbers
to the office of the provost marshall will there receive
license and be held responsible for all disorders and
disturbance of the peace arising in their respective
places.
sufficient force will be kept in the city to preserve
order and maintain the laws.
The killing of American soldier by any disordery
persons or mob simply assassination and murder, and
not war anC will be so regarded and punished
The owner of any house building in or from which
such murder shall be committed will be held response
Bile therefor and the house be liable to be destroyed BY
the military authority.
All disorder and disturbances of the peace done in
combination and numbers and crimes ofan aggravated
nature interfering with forces or laws OF the United
States will be referred to a military court for trial and
punishment; other misdemeauors will be subject to the
municipal authority if it chooses act. Civil causes
between party and party will be referred to the ordinary
tribunals The levy and collections of all taxes save
those imposed by the United States suppressed ex-
cept those for keeping in repair and Lighting he streets
aud for sanitary purposes Those are 10 be collected
/ in the usual manner
The circulation of Confederate bonds evidences OF
debt except notes in the simude of bank notes issued
BY the Confederate States scrip any trade in the
same is strictly forbidden lhaying been represented
to the commanding general by the civil authorities that
these Confederate notes are, IN great measure, the
only substitute for money which the people have been
allowed have, and that great distress would ensue
among the poorer classes the circulation of such
were suppressed such circulation will be permitted, so
long any may be inconsderate enough receive
them until further orders.
No publications, either by newspaper, pamphlet OF
handbill giving accounts of the movements of soldier
of the United States within this Department. rejecting
in any way upon the United States its officers, Of
tending in any way to influence the public mind agans
the government of the United States, will be permitted
and all articles of news or editorial comments, OF
correspondence making comments upon the movements
of the armies of the United States, the rebels
be submitted to the examination OF officer who vii
be detailed for that purpose from these headquarters
The transmission OF all communications by telegraph
will be under the charge of officer from these head
quarters
/ The armies of the United States here not t
destroy but make good restore order out of chaos
and the government of laws in place of the passions
men; to this end therefore, the efforts OF all well dis
posed persons invited have every species of dis
order queed and if any soldier of the United State
should far forget his duty or his flag, to COMM
any outrage upon any person or property, the com
manding general requests that his name be instantly
reported to the provost guard, that he may be pun
ished and his wrongful act redressed
The municipal authority far the police of thu
4 city, and crimes are concerned the extent before in
dicated, is hereby suspended.
All assembages Of persons in the streets either b,
day or by night tending to disorder, are forbidden.
The various companies composing the fire depart
ment in New Orleans will be permitted to retain thci
organisations and report the provost marshal
that they may be known and not interierred with il
their duties.
And, finally, it may be sufficient to add, withou
further enumeration, that requirements OF marshal Law
will be imposed so long as, in the Judgment of tn
;. United States authorities it may be necessary. AM
while it IS the desire OF these authorities to exercis
this government mildly, and after the nsages of tn
past it must not be supposed that it will not be ygol
ously and firmly administered as occasion calls
BY command of MAJOR GEN BUrrEa
GEo. C. STRONG A. A. g., chief of staff.