The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-07-19
Headq'rs Department of the South,

htL1ON hEAO, =. u, JUNE II, 1865.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. lO2.
W. IrH view to establish and preserve
w good order, settle disputes, encou-
rage industry, compel obedience to laws
and orders and educate the poor, the fol-
lowing rules and regulations are hereby
established. and will be put in operation
throughout this Department with as little
delay as practicable:
l. District Commanders will divide their
commands into sub-districts of suitable
size. each comprising one or more Counties,
Parishes or Congressional Districts. To
each sub-district they will assign COM
manding officer, with suitable number
of troops,) an Assistant Provost Marshal
and an Assistant Provost Judge. Il per-
manent Provost Guard will be placed
under the Immediate orders Of the Assist.
ant Provost Marshal
II. Within each sub-district Superior
Provost Courts and Circuit Provost Courts,
composed of not more than three members
each-shall be held at stated times and
places. The Superior and Circuit Provost
Courts to have concurrent jurisdiction
over all cases as hereinafter specified that
can be properly tried before them.
III. The Superior Provost Court will
n O-Q
headquarters; and will be presided over
by the Assistant Provost Judge who may
associate with him one or two respectable
loyal citlzens, giving the preference to
local magistrates, other things being equal
~. Circuit Provost Courts shall be held
! ut important points and at stated times
within the sub district, and shall be pre-.
sided over by one of the members of the
sub district commander for that purpose.
The President of the Circuit Provost Court
may associate with him one or two lo-al
citizens or magistrates
v. Ihe courts above named shall have
power TO try all cases betw cen citizens.
and between citizens and soldiers. and all
crimes and all violations of military orders
and the laws Of the United States whicl,
do not come within the Jurisdiction of a
court martial. and to issue the usual pro
cess for the attendance Of witnesses, and
DEGREES for the possession Of property, and
for the payment Of debts. damages and
costs. The DEGREES will go only to the
right of possession and not of property.
They may impose fines not exceeding one
hundred dollars (Slo0) and imprison not
exceeding two months. Offences by citi-
zens requiring severer punishment, will
be tried by military commission. They
will appoint their clerks and other off GERS.
shall keep a record of their proceedings,
subject to the revision Of sub district and
higher commanders, and will adopt rules
and forms of procedure. which shall be as
simple as possible. Citizen members Of
courts may be allowed three dollars for
each days attendance. Tie fees charged
will be merely sufficient to pay all expenses.
nj. Appeals from the Provost Courts
will be had to the sub b-district and district
commanders, under such rules snd on such
terms as the district commanders NAV
provide.
VII. All parties to suits before the Su-
perior or Circuit Provost Courts NAV
employ counsel. But all persons bringing
suit or appearing as counsel before said
courts. as well AS the citizen members of
said courts, will be required to give proof
that they have taken the oath of allie
glance.
VIII. 1t is the duty Of the military au-
thorities throughout this Department,
when called upon to do so. to aid the
Assistant Commissioners and Agents of
the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and
Abandoned Lands" in the execution of
their duties under the laws of the United
States and the orders Of the Commissioner
of said Bureau, issued in accordance
Herewith: and, when there is no such
Assistant Commissioner or Agent upon the
spot, to take cognizance themselves Of all
Violations of such laws and orders. All
cases of such violation may be tried before
the courts hereinabove authorized.
IN. All cases properly coming within
~ jurisdiction Of these courts will be
brought to trial promptly. and all unne-
cessary arrests of citizens will be avoided.
X. The existence of the courts herein
above authorized will cease whenever and
wherever the functions Of the officers of
the civil laws are restored to operation by
proper authority.
XII. District and sub district command
ers are directed to provide, whenever
practicable. for the education of the chill
Cren of tho DOCr wit hin tbo;r oo,n,no