The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-08-01

The following are the letters of in.
struction referred to by Gen. Thomas /:
| "HoR's. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, }
OFFICE OF ASST ADJT. GENERAL,
LOUISVILLE, KY, July l6, 1861. }
"Breret Brigadier General Thomas Dun
can, Commanding District Of Nashville,
Nashville, Tennessee:
"GENERAL-As there is some doubt in
the minds of officers commanding posts
and detachments in the State of TenDes-
see as to their duties in reference to the
approaching election, the Major Gen.
eral commanding directs me to furnish
you with the following instructions on
that subject:
1T is not the duty of officers COM
manding troops to see to the enforcing
of the laws of Tennessee except when
called upon by the proper civil author
tiles. In the matter of enforcing the
Franchise Law, upon which in a great
measure depends the result of the cleo
tion in Tennessee, the troops should not
approach the polls, or in any way inter
fere in the election, except from orders
from these headquarters, issued upon
application of the Governor, Mayor OF
city, or other civil officers to General
Thomas. The officers in command will,
however, at all times, assume the right,
and consider it their duty to suppress
riot and prevent bloodshed when in
their power
Gas there will probably be more dan
ger Of riots on election day, aud at po-
litical meetings, than at other times, il
would be we'll that the troops be kept
in hands at their quarters on such days
for the two reasons, that there may be
no charges against them of interference
with the election or political affairs, and
that they may be in readiness TO sup
press riot.
Whenever the troops do move to
the assistance of the civil authorities, it
should be for the purpose of seeing that
no persons interfere with the officers OF
the law, to prevent them from the pro-
per exercise of their offices, and not for
the purpose of making arrests; neither
will officers in command allow them
selves to be made TIE custodians OF
prisoners after arrest, except when the
civil officers making the arrest declare
themselves unable TO retain the prisoner
in custody, when the officers in CON-
mand of the troops will take measures
to prevent their escape for short time
while the civil authorities make
preparations TO secure them.
"Should there be reasons why the
military should, in the opinion of the
commanding officer of the troops, retain
custody of prisoners for longer time
than that contemplated in these in
structions, the case will be reported
through the proper channels to these
headquarters, and instructions asked.
VERY respectfully, your obedient
servant,
civilian ID. WHIPPLE,
Brevet Major General United States
Army, Assistant Adjutaut General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF THE CUM- }
BERLAND, OFFICE ASST. ADJ'T. GEN, !
LOUISVILLE, Ky. July 10, lS67.
"Breret Brigddier General Thomas Dan
can, Commanding District Of NGshriHe,
/ Nashville, Tennessee
"GENERAL-In addition TO instruc.
tions contained in letter from these
headquarters, Of 10th inst, the Major
General commanding the Department
directs me to add that you will consider
the militia of the State of Tennessee
called out under act of Legislature pass
ed last winter, as among the regularly
constituted authorities Of the State.
"Very respectfully, your obedient ser
want, WILLIAM d. WIPPLE.
"Brevet Major General United States
Army, Assistant Adjutant General"