Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-08-19
EDWIN NJ. STANTON,

Secretary OF War.
M official copy Of this Orier has been received
at ths hCadqu irters, aud the General Cummau-
dug has for this reason delayed the Issuing of Il
general order to carry into effect the views and
directions of the President, some recent occur
rences in this army have however, shown that il
has became necessary to do 80, to prevent this
executive order being made ptetext for military
license.
The order Of the President Accords 30 substan-
tially with the COURSE uniformly pursued by this
army on this peninsula under the orders and
instructions Of the General Commanding, that
no material change in any respect is required
thereby in its conduct aud government.
Personal property necessary or convenient for
supplies or other military purposes Of this army
will lie, AZ heretofore, seized aud used by the
proper qunrtermaslers or subsistence officers,
upon the orders Of commanders of army corps
or, in case of troops employed on detached SERVICE
where army corps commanders are not accessible
\ by order OF the officer ia command of such de-
| tached force.
In all cases the officers thus making the sci
lures shall take MI account showing the kind aud
quantities Of property seized, and by whose com
mand; the amounts of its estimated value, and
the names of the persons from whom the sume
shall have come. Whenever circumstances admit
or SO doing receipts will be given to the owners
or their agents, specifying simply the particulars
huuNG Htutloueus NuHltA Ol ull euC0 uCCOuutH
aud receipts will be transmitted in the usual
manner, by the officers making them, to these
headquarters.
All officers and oiers of this army are en-
Joined and ordered TO abstain from all seizure of
private property except in the mode above pre-
scribedi all other appropriations will be regarded
and punished as pillage. The idea that private
property may be plundered with impunty it,.
perhaps the very worst that can prevade an army.
Marauding degrades us men and denoralizes as
soldiers oil who engage in il, and returns them
to their homes untitled for the pursuits OF honest
industry. This army is composed mostly of
young men; aud tue General COmmuudng. to
whose care they are entrusted, owes it to the
parents who have sent their sons, aud to the co.l
munties that have sent the flower of their youth
into the military service of their country to warn
and restrain them from an evil 50 perncious
The order nf the President requires the appli-
cation OF Il similar rule in the use OF cal proper
~. This however, does not apply to such uses
us are insepnrable from military operatiOns-to
Wit; marches, camps, pasiurnge, hospitals, de
HOls, quartera, aud damages occasOnel by nc
tive hosilliesi but use should be made, OF
injury done 10 real property beyond what is
actually necessary or convenient for military
purposes.
The destruction fany species of property ia
wantonneas or malice is expressly prohibited by
the Presidents order, us well as by the article.
: of war and the usuges of all civilized nations
: All commanding officers are earnestly cnjoinel
TO exercise tue utmost vigilance on this subject
Struggling and ttespussing are the inyariabl,
, Indications of II tendency to this description o
crime.
Inhabitants especially woman and children
r remaining peAcenble at their homes, must moi
lie molested; and wherever commanding officer,
peculiarly exposed in their persons or property
to marauing from this army they will, as here
tolore, 80 far MS they can do 30 with safety and
without detriment to the service, post guard!
for their protection.
In protecting private property no reference il
, intended to persons held to service or labor b,
reason of African descent. Such peasOns viii
be regarded by this army, as they heretofore
have been, as occupying simply a peculiar lega
S status under State laws which condition the
military authorities of the United States are moi
required 10 regard at all in districts where
mllitary operations are made necessary by the
rebellious action OF the State Government,
, Persons subject TO suspicion Of hostile pur.
T. poses, residing or being near our forces will be,
T. as heretofore, suhirGt 10 arrest and detention
I until the cause ur necessity is removed All
such arrested parties will be sent, as usual, 10
, the Provost Marshal General, with IA statement
, OF the facts in each case.
, The General commanding takes this occasion
t to remind the CiIcers and soldiers Of this army
that we are engaged in supporting the Consiitu-
. ton aud laws Of the United States, and in sup
pressing rebellion against their authority that
we are not engaged in war of rapine, revenge
or subjugationi that this is not contest against
populations, but against armed forces aul polil.
cal organizations that il is struggle Carried
on within the United States, and should be con.
Quoted by us upon the highest principles known
to Christian civilization.
) Since this army commenced active operations
, persons of African descent, including those held
= to service or labor under State laws, have ALWAYS
been received, protected, aud employed as labor