The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-13
SAVANNAH.
order by General Sherman.

HEADQRs MIL. Div. OF THE MIssIssIPPI(
In THE FIELD, SAVANNAH, Ga, DEC. 26.
Special Field Orders, No. 153.
The city of Savannah and surrounding cOun-
try will be held as military post and adapted
to future military uses, but as It contains pop-
ulation ofsome 20, 600 people who must be pro-
vided for, and as other citizens may come, it is
proper to lay down certain general principles,
that all within its military jurisdiction may un-
derstand their relative duties and obligations.
1. During war the military is superior to
civil authority, and where interests clash, the
civil must give way; yet where there is no
conflict, every encouragement should be given
to well-disposed and peaceful inhabitants to
resume their usual pursuits. Families should
be disturbed as little as possible in their resi-
dence, and tradesmen allowed the free use Of
their shops, tools, &c. Churches, schools, and
all places of amusement and recreation should
be encouraged, and streets and roads made per.
fectly safe to persons in their usual pursuits.
Passes should not be exacted within the line
of outer pickets, but if any person shall abuse
these privileges by communicating with the
enemy, or doing any act of hostility to the gov.
eminent of the United States, he or she will be
punished with the utmost rigor of the law,
Commerce with the outer world will be re-
sumed commensurate with the wants of the
citizens, governed by the restrictions and rules
of the treasury department
sary of the army may give suitable employ
ment to the people, white and black, or trans
port them to such points as they choose
where employment may be had, and may ex-
tend temporary relief in the way of provisions
and vacant houses to the worthy and needy mr.
til such time as they can help themselves
They will select, first, the buildings for the ne
cessary uses OF the army; next, sufficient
number of stores to be turned over to the
treasury agent for trade stores. All vacant
storehouscs or dwellings, and all buildings for
merly belonging to absent rebels will be con-
strued and used as belonging to the United
States until such time as their titles can be set
tied by the courts of the United States.
LII. The mayor and city council of Savan-
nah will continue and exercise their functions
as SUCH and will, in concert with the COM
manding officer of the post and the chief quar-.
termaster, see that the fire companies are Kept
in organization, the streets cleaned and light
ed. and keen up q good understanding between
the citizens and soldiers. They will ascertain
and report to the chief G. g., as soon as DOS
sible, the names and number OF worthy lam
lilies that need assistance and support,
The mayor will forthwith give pubic notice |
that the time has come when all must choose |
their course. viz. to remain within our lines
and conduct themselves as good citizens, or
denart in peace. He viii ascertain the names |
of ali who choose to leave Savannah, and re- !
mort their names and residence to the chief |
ppua r that measures may be taken to !
transport them beyond the lines.
". Not more than two newspapers will be |,
nnblished in Savannah, and their editors and
pprorrietors will be held to the strictest &C.
countabilisy, and win be punished severely in
person and property for any ibelous publica-
lion mischieyous matter, or any comments
whatever upon the acts of the constituted an.
thorities they win be held accountable even
for such articles though copied from other
papers.
BY order of Maj. Gen. w. T. SHKR,aAs.
L NJ DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp.