Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-06-07

| IMPORTANT ORDER BY zen. OCHoFIELD. -
The following important order has been isued
by General Schofeld:
HEADo'Rs FIRST MILITALy DISTRICT,
STATE OF VIRGINIA,
RICHMOND, VA, May %, 1867. }
GENERAL ORDERS,
No. 81
For the purpose Of giving adequate pro-
lection to aa persons in their rights Of per-
son and property, in cases where the civil
authorities may fail, from whatever cause, to
give such protection, and to insure the prompt
suppression of instruction, disorder and VIC
lence, Military Commissioners, to be selected
| from the officers of the army and of the
Freedmcn's Bureau will be appointed and
given jurisdiction over sub-districts to be de-
fined in the orders appointing them, with
sufficient military force to execute, or TO Sc
cure the execution of their ordars
For the purpose of suppressing nsurrec-
ton, disorder or violence, the Military Com
missioners are given command of the Police
of cities and the power of counties, in add
ton to the troops that may be placed at their
disposal; and all Police officers, Sheritfs,
Constables and other persons, are required,
in such cases, to obey and execute the orders
of the Military Commissioners.
For the purpose, Of protecting individuals
in their rights of person and property, and
of bringing offenders to the justice, the ILL
tary Commissioners are clothed with all the
powers of Justices Of a county or Police Mag
istrates Of a city, and will be governed in the
discharge Of their duties by the laws Of Vir-
glnla 50 far as the same are not III conflict
with the laws Of the United States or orders
issued from these Headquarters
The military commissioners will make a
prompt report to- these Headquarters Of each
ease Of which they may take Jurisdiction. and
tie dispositions made Of such case. Where
parties are held for triad, either in confne-
laent os under bail, such full statement will
be made Of the facts in eacp case as will cna-
Bile the Commanding General to decide whcth-
er the case shall be tried by the military com
missions or be brought before a civil court.
Trial by civil courts will be preferred in
al cases where there is satisfactory reason to
believe that Justice viii be done. But until
the orders of the Commanding General are
made known liz any case, the paramount
jurisdiction assumed by the military commits
Sioner will be exclusive.
All persons. civil officers AID others, are
required to obey and execute the lawful or
ders of the military commissioners to the
same. extent as they are required by law to
obey and execute writs issued by civil magIs-
trates. Any person who shall disobey OF re-
sist the lawful orders Or authority Of Il mill
tary commissioner shall be tried by militia
ry commission, and upon conviction shall be
punished by fine and Imprisonment according
to the nature and degree Of the offence.
This order. will not be construed to excuse
civil officers, in any degree from the faith
full discharge of their duties. tits intended
to aid the civil authority, and not to super
sede them, except in cases of necessity
BY command of Brig. and Bvt Maj Gen.
j. NJ. Schoheld, e. S. \.
S. F. CnALF!y,
Assistant Adjutant General.