Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-21
General schofield Takes Command.

The following order gives Official information
to the people Of Virginia says the Richmond
Jyhiq. that the President viii enforce the Shcr-
man-Shellabarger law, that General Schoileid
will command in this District, and that milf
tary rule is now in force. Wehave said enough
heretofore TO make il unnecessary to say now
that. since these things are to he, We consider
it fortunate that our people are in the hands of
an officer who has given satisfactory evidence
Of an intention to deal fairly with them. The
provisions and tone Of his first order are unex-
ceptionable, AMI its advice commendable. We
append an official copy:
HoaS. FIRST DIsT. STATE OF VIRGINIA,
RIcnAoSD, Va. March IL, 1867,
GENERAL ORDERS, No. l.
l. In compliance with the order Of the Presi-
dent. the undersigned hereby assumes com
mand of the First District, State Of Virginia,
under the act Of Congress of March 2, 1861:
.. All officers under the existing Provisional
Government If the State If Virginia will con-
tnue 10 perform the duties Of their respective
Offices. according to law. unless otherwise here
after ordered in individual cases, until their
successors shall be duly elected and qualified
in accordance with the above named act OF
Congress.
8. It's desirable that the military power con-
ferred by the aforementioned Act be exercised
only so far as may be necessary to accomplish
the objects for which that power was conferred,
and the undersigned appeals to the people of
Virginia, and especially to magistrates and
other civil officers, to render the necessity for
the exercise of this power as slight as possible,
by strict obedience to the laws, and by Impair
tial administration Of Justice 10 all classes.
4. The staff officers now on duty at head
quarters Department of the Potomac are assign
ed to corresponding duties at head quarters
First District, State Of Virginia.
J. NJ. ScHoFIELD,
Brevet Major General, L. 5. a.
Official
S. T. CHALFIN,
Assistant Adjutant General.
GENERAL oRDERs--No. 2.
HoRs. FIRST DIsT. STATE OF VIRGINIA, /
RICHMOND, March 16, 1867.
In pursuance Of the provisions of the fifth
section of the act making appropriations for
the support of the army for the year ending
Jone 80, 1868, and for other purposes, the
whipping or manning Of any person as pun
ishment for any crime, misdemeanor or offence,
is hereby prohibited in this district.
BY command of Brigadier and Brevet Major
General J. NJ. SCHOFIELD, U. S. A.
S. F.CHALFIN, Assistant Adjutant General.
GENERAL oRDERs-No. 8.
Hons. FIRST DIsr. STATE OF VIRGINIA, |
RICHMOND, March 16, 1867.
The following extract Of an act Of Congress
is republished for the information and govern
ment Of all concerned
SECTION 6. And be it further enacted, That
all militia forces now organized or in service in
either of the States of Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Louisiana Mississippi and Texas, be forthwith
disbanded, and that the further organization,
arming or calling into service of the said militia
forces, or any part thereof is hereby prohibited,
under any circumstances whatever, until the
same shall be authorized by Congress. APP
proved March 2, 1867.
By command of Brigadier and Brevet Major
General J. NJ. SCH0FIELD, Z. S. A.
S. F. CHALFIN, Assistant Adjutant General.