Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-09-24

The following communication has been presented
to the Senate from the Secretary of War, in reply
to resolution requesting certain information from
the President in relation to the pay and appoint
ment of Provost Marshals:
His Excellency, JEFFERSON DAVIS, President G. S. A:
>SIR;-I have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of the enclosed resolution of the Senate re.
qussting you to give them information concerning
the pay and appointment of Provost Marshals.
The army regulations provide for the employment
by Commanding General of General of Division,
of Provost Marshals, who charged with the Gus
tody of prisoners and the performance of police du-
ties. In garrisons, non. commissioned officers are
usually assigned to these duties, but with armies
in the field, deprived as they of the assistance
of the civil authorities, and often ihcumbered with
large numbers Of prisoners, the duties Become more
difficult and Important and commissioned officers
are detailed for their discharge
1t will be observed that Provost Marshals are
employed, not appointed; otherwise officers of the
army, already holding commissions, could not be
assigned to such duty without holding two distinct
appointments from the Government
1t having been found that large amounts of pub.
lie property at our principal depots and the peace
and good order Of many Of our towns were endan-
gered by the numerous stragglers from the army,
and camp-followers hanging about them, and that
desertion from the army was encouraged by the
want Of persons at those points authorized to make
arrests the Department employed Provost Marshals,
and vested them with authority over all persons in
the army found within their respective limits
zHsy haee no authority whateoer ouer persons not
in the arn except sohere martial lao i in force,
in which localities their police powers arc extended
to citizens as we'll as soldiers.
Whether martial law exists or not, they are ex.
pressly prohibited by general order from exercis.
ing civil Jurisdiction and the Department has check
ed them in allcases in which the exercise Of such
jurisdiction has been made the subject Of complaint.
Many Of the Provost Marshals of posts where
martial law is not in force have fallen into the
of supposng themselves to be clothed with general
police powers, but the Department has invariably
Informed them when such cases were brought to its
attention. that they could derive the power to arrest
citizens from the civil magistrates only.
Their compensation is usually fixed at that Of q
Captain of infantry, but in some few cases they
have been allowed the pay of fed officers. The
reference to the army grade is merely for the pur-
pose of fixing their rate of compensation and does
not confer on them grade or commission.
The employment of Provost Marshals and provost
guards is essential to the preservation Of public
property to the peace and good order of our chief
towns, and to the very existence of the army.
They are paid by the Quartermaster's Department
beca use the army regulations require that depart
ment to pay the incidental expenses of the army,
including generally all proper and authorized ex-
penses for the movements and operations of thearmy,
not expressly assigned to other departments.
Provost Marshals being essential to the operations
Of the army and not being chargeable to any other
pay and allowances to the Quarternaster Generals
Department
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
GEORGE w. RANDOLPH,
Sec. of War.