The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-03-12
General EOsecranS' Policy in Mis-
souri,.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. "a.
HEApQ'S DEPARTM MENTOFTHE NILSSON


ST. Louis, No., Feb. 20 1864.
1. The Major General Commanding is
panied to learn tha, prosecutions in the
name of the civil law are contemplated,
and some suits have actually commenced
against soldiers, or late soldiers and officers,
for alleged illegal acts, said to have been
committed by them while in the military
service, aud that the active agents in these
are men distinguished for their sympa-
thies with the rebellion, or, ut best, for
their want of sympathy with the Union
cause.
Those who so late were willing to see
both the Constitution and the laws stricken
down by the hand Of armed rebellion,
should now be conspicuous in restoring or
der, is praisworthy; but threats OF using
the law to harass those who stood by both
Constitution and law in their hour Of peri.
at the risk of life, excite local animoslties,
weaken the arm, and retard the re-estab-
Flishment OF civil law.
To prevent these evils the General COM
manding enjoins on all good citizens to ab-
stain from using threats Of prosecuting
officers and soldiers for their acts while in
military service.
II. All such prosecutions are prohibited
except by consent Of the Commander OF
the District in which the prosecution is
commenced, or by consent Of higher mill
tary authority, which will always be grant
!
and interest of the service.
Ill. While this prohibition exists, the
General commanding directs all officers
acting under authority OF the Provost Mar
shars Department, and ali commanders of
troops, to observe and exact a strict regard
for the laws of the land, as we'll as those
of the military service, and il is enjoined
on them to strengthen and aid the ciyi! law
in all cases where it can be Gone without
defeating the ends of justice, or conflicting
with military authority over those IN the
military service.
Nv. District Commanders and Provost
Marsh.ls viii cause wrongs done 10 citizens
by persons in the military service 10 be
promptly Investigated, and justice To be
done without delay, consulting With. and
reporting for orders from these he:Adquar-
ters.
v. Officers and soldiers are reminded
that their functions being to establish law
and Justice, against armed opposition too
strong for the officers Of the civil power,
their uniform becomes a sacred badge, and
whoever, wearing it, commits or permits
wrong and outrage TO persons or property,
stains that badge, and stabs the country he
processes to serve. Military power is a
trust more sacred and honorable than
trust Of property. He who misuses the
power to crafty or benefit himself, is more
guilty and dishonorable than the violatOrs
OF pecuniary trust.
Impartial justice, and the strictest regard
for private rights, especially for the rights
OF the weak and detenceless are, therefore,
the duty and the glory of the true, patriot
ic soldier. They are also the marks OF true
nobility and courage, while cruelty and
Injustice are the sure badges Of baseness
and cOwardice.
VI. The General commanding asks and
expects the officers and soldiers Of his COM
nand to behave as becomes their nation
and profession.
VII. Their attention is called to the pro-
visions of General Order No. 63, OF July 4,
1854, from these headquarters, which will
be read at the head Of each company on the
receipt Of this order. By command of
MAJ. GEN. RosECRANs.