The national Republican., 1862-07-21
HEADQUARTERS ARMY op VIRarNIA,
WASHINGTON, july 10. 1864

WASHINGTON, July 10, 1861.
General Orders, No..
The people Of the valley Of the Sh nandoah.
and throughout the region Of operations OF this
army, living along the lines Of railroad and
telegraph and along the routes of travel In rear
OF the United States forces, are notified that
they will be hsid responsible for any injury
done 10 lhe track, line, or road, or for any 81
tscks upos trsins or strsggling soldisrs by
basds Of gusrillas 10 their .sishborhood. No
privileges and immunitiss Of warfare apply to
lawless banda " iDdividuaIA not formine bart
Of The oseasissd foross Of tn enemy, nor wSsr.
Ing the garb Of SOLDIERS, who. seeking And OBJ
tanning safety on prstext Of being peaceful
citizens, steal out 10 rear Of the army, attack
and murder struggling soldiers, molest trains
Of supplies, destroy railroads, telegraph lines
and bridges, and commit outrages disgracefnl
10 civilized people and revolving to humanity.
Evil disposed persons In rear Of our armit .
Who do not themselves engage directly 10 these
lswless acts, encourage them by refusing to In.
tsrfere or to give any information by which
such acts eau be prevented, or the perpetrators
punished. Safety Of life and property of all
persons living In rssr Of our advancing armies
depends upon tho maintenance Of peace and
quiet among themselves, and upon the unmo.
Tested movements through their midst of all
pertaining to the military service. They are
TO understand distinctly that this security Of
travel IL their only warrant Of personal safety.
II 10 therefore ordered, that wherever rail-
road, wagon road, or telegraph Ia injured by
parties Of guerilias, the citizens living within
Eve miles OF the spot shall be turned out In
mass 70 repair the damage, aud shall bssidss
pay to the United States In money or In pro-.
perty, to betevied by military force, the full
amount Of th. pay and subsistence Of tn whole
force necessary to ooerce the performance of
the work during the time occupied In COM
pletipg It.
II soldier or legitimate follower Of the army
be fred upon from any house, the house shall
be raxed to the ground, and the inhabitants
sent prisoners To the headquarters of this army.
II such an outrage occur at any place distant
from settlements, the people within five miles
around rhall be held 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 sitsrward, shall
be shot without awaiting civil process.
No such acts can influence the result Of this
war, and they can only lead to heavy sfliction
to the population to no purpose. ..a ~
II 10 therefore enjoined upon oil persons,
both for the security of their property and the
safety Of their own persons, that they act vigor.
ously ssd cordially together to prevent the
preparation Of such outrages, '.'
Whilst it 10 the wish OF the general som-
mandIng this army that all peacesbly dis
posed persons who rem lin ut their homes and
pursue their accustomed avocatlons shall be
subjsctsd to % improper burthsn OF war, yet
their own safsty must Of necessity 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 70 the tull extent every provision
Of this order.
By command Of Asj. Gen. POPE;
81 p .'.., ~: G. D. RUGGLEs,
IT, Ccl, A. A. g., and Chief Of Staff