Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-09-14
WAR DErArMENT
Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington, AHgusts, 1861.

GENERAL ORDERS, No 2i2.
Relating to the amnesty 10 h,s,Uyct Enemies
l. The attention of commanding officers Of de-
partments, districts military posts and departments
is called TO the following paragraph in the ProCla-
nation of the President, dated the 10th OF March,
1864 defining the cases in which nsurGent enemies
are entitled TO the benefits of the Amnesty Procla-
nation of the sth of December 1863
ut (thc Amnesty does apply only to those per-
sons who, being yet at large and free from any ar
rest, confinement, or duress shall voluntarily come
forward and take the said oath, tCiM The purpose of
restoring peace and establishing the national d,thor-
ty'
From various departments and districts nforma-
ton has been received by this Department that in
surgent enemies in the States of Kentucky Tennes-
sec and Missouri have endeavored, fraudulentlv and
treacbcrousy TO obtain the benefits of the President
Amnesty, by taking the prescribed oath without any
purpose of restoring reaco and establishing the
national authority but with the purpose of pro-
serving their property from the penalty of their
crimes, or Of screening themselves from punishment
for the commission of arson, robbery, treason and
murder All commanders of departments districts,
posts and detachments and all officers in the mill
tary service directed to use the utmost diligence
in detecting and bringing TO punishment all insur-
gent enemies who have been or may be guilty of
raudulently and treacherous V taking the oath pre-
scrbcd by the Presidents Proclamation for any
other purpose than that Of 'restorg Deace and cS-
fabhShuig the national auhority,' and they will
treat such oaths, when iraudulenly and trcachcr-
'ously taken, not emitting the guilty parties to
any clemency, but as being in itself substantive
ohense against the government and as afiording no
protectionto the individuals by whom it has been
or may be taken, either in their person or property
and as depriving them of all claim to immunity
protection, and cemency.
ii. Commanders of departments and districts are
authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations
in respect to the administration of said oath in future
as may be needed to prevent the improper admins
ration Of said oath persons taking for any other
than the purpose of restoring peace and establish
+ ing the national authority" To all persons who
Chaye or shall voluntarily come forward and take
Pthe OATH "wlth the purpose Of restoring peace and
Establishing the national authority full protection,
land all the benefits of the Amnesty Proclamation,
/ will be extended.
III. Commanders and all military officers will ex-
Pcise strict vigilance within their respective COM
mands, in order to detect and bring to punishment
Any officers, civil military or naval, who knowingly
|and wllfully have administered or shall administer
the said oath to any person or persons except the
fnsurgent enemies who are, by the Proclamation of
he 26th of March, entitled to the benefits Of said
amnesty Proclamation, by the reason of their TAX
Eng the oath for he purpose of restoring peace and
Establishing the national authority
| By order of the Secretary of War.
Z. ID. TOWNSEND,
assistant Adjldam General.
Official: HENRY CURrIss,
Assistant Adjutdm General.