Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-31
IMPORTANT ORDER BY.GEN. ScHoFIELD.-
The following important order has Leen issued
by Gen. Schofeld
Ho'Rs. FIRST MILITARY DlsTRIcT,
STATE OF VIRGINIA,
RICHMOND, Va, Mays, 1861
RICHMOND,
GENERAL ORDERS,

RICHMOND, Va, May,2S, 1867
GENERAL ORDERS
No. 81.
For the purpose of giving adequate-rrotee-
ton to all persons in their rights u1 person and
property, in cases where the civil authorities
may fail, from whatever cause, l1 ave such
protection, aud to insure The prompt SurpfeS'
sion of instruction, Iii. order and Violence
Military Commissioners, to be selected rom ''e
officers OF the army and of the freedmen y
Bureau, will be appointed and given Jurlsu'c'
ZION over sub-dlstrcts to be defined IN me or
ders appointing them, with sutticIeh' military
force to execute, or 10 secure the execution VI
their orders
For the purpose Of Suppressing insurrcct!on,
| disorder or violence, tic Military Commission,
| ers are given command OF The i'oHce u
cities aud the power OF counties, III addition 10
the troops that may be placed 1T their tltsp">a';
and all Police officers, Shellffs, Constitutes and
other persons, are required, III such clSrS ~
obey and execute the orders OF Tie Military
| Commissioners.
For the purpose Of protecting individuals IN
their rights of person and property aho OF
bringing offenders to ustice the Military Com,
n;ss;oners arc clothed with all the powers OF
Justices of 4 county or Police Magistrates OF j
city, and will be governed in the discharge OF
their duties by the laws of Virginia 50 far a,
the same are not in conflict with the lays OF
the United States or Of orders issued from
these Headq uaIters.
The military commissioners will make i
PROMPT re Sort to these Headquarters OF each
case Of which they may take jurisdiction: and
the disposition made OF such case. Whcre
parties are held for trial either in confinement
or under bail, such tu statement will be made
Of the facts in each case as will enable the
Commanding General to decide whether the
case shall be tried by the military cOmmlsSl0n
or be brought before civil court.
Trial by civil courts will be preferred III all
cases where there is satisfactory rca son to be-
licve that Justice will be done But until The
orders OF the Commanding General arc made
known in any case, the paramount jurisdiction
assumed by the military commission will lie
exclusive.
All persons, civil officers aud others, are re-
quired to obey and execute the lawful orders OF
the military commissioners to the same extent
as they are required by law 10 obey and execute
wits issued by civil magistrates. Any person
who shall disobcy or resist the lawful orders or
authority Of military commissioner shall be
tried by a military commission, and upon con
vicion shall be punished by fne and imprlsOn,
ment aecoriu to the nature and degree OF the
| offence
This order will not he construed to excuse
| civil officers IN any degree, from the faithful
discharge of their duties 1t is intended to aid
| the civil authority, and not D superseda them,
except in cases OF necessity.
l}y command of Brig. and Bvt. Mag. Gen.
J. NJ Schofcd, y. S. i.
S. f. CHALFIN,
Assistant Adiutant General.