New-York tribune., 1870-11-30
THE MILITARY DIVISION OF TIE SOUTH,

ANNUAL REPORT OF MAJOR-GEN. HAl-LECk.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The annual report of
Gen. Halleck as Commander Of the Military Division ~
the South will accompany the report OF Gen. Belnap
Secretary The report is dated Oct "a, and,
giving the Of the Division and the troops therein
states that Georgia on the 4th OF January last
remanded TO the condition Of a Military District, and
Gen Terry was placed in command. As he specially
instructed from the War Department and by the Pres
dent, Gen. Halleck did not deem himself authorized 10
interfere with Gen. Terry and he says hs administration
OF civil affairs has in way been subject to his directions
He says in regard to Texas that with the exception Of
the Indian troubles the State has been remarkably quiet
and prosperous He says the discipline Of the troop
during the year has excellent and that their sup
plies satisfactory except clothing, which is almost
universally complained OF. On the important question
regarding the relation between the civil authorities and
the military, Gen. Haeck says:
It will be by the Reports of the Department Com
mander that but few had occurred where the mill
tary have been required 10 n'eriere ia cy matters .x
cept to assist revenue officers Ia the performance OF Their
duties. respectfully repeat the recommendation OF my
last annual report that military officers should not in
terfere in local civil troubles, unless when called out in
the manner prescribed by law, and that the nqnsiton
officers should be accompanied by aidayits,
or some other proof that the case comes within The pro
visions OF the law authorizing or requiring military IN
the sole judge of the necessity of military guards and
escorts. Moreover, large portion OF the cost cf
prlaons, which expense would otherwise be deducted
from the property condemned before the products OF the
enue officer who made the seizure where United States
Marshss aud Assistant Marsals call for military aid 10
execute the process Of the courts there should be
order Of the court authorizing such requstons the
ground that no proper civil posse c0nmitdius could be
obtained Such restrictions IN the use OF military force
In civil matters would, In my opinion, not only
effect a large saving in military expenditure,
but would relieve army officers from much
to incur In the performance OF duties which
hardly be said 10 legtmately belong the military
service II may be proper To remark in this place. that
have been assured by Federal civil officers that Che use
Of troops in executing judicial processes and forene
the revenue and other civil laws, seems TO Increase
rather than diminish the apparent necessity of using
such force In civil matters the badly disposed becoe
and more eXasperated at being coerced by force
which they they think has been unconstitutfoaly EN-
poyed against Them and the beterdisposed relax their
efforts punish local crimes the plea that tins duty
devolves the military only. Hence IN the case OF
robbery or murder there IL call for Federal troopsto
arrest guard the criminals IL Ia, Their fore cues
ton well worthy Of consideration, whether the military
power, in civil matters should not be limited 10 lew
wedenned cases. such riots and insurreetions which
cannot be suppressed by local aud state authorities
The report closes ~ follows: - 49,,
Although very Important military operations nave
trsnspred the Division daring the past year, tho
industry and capacity Of the Department Commanders
have severely taxed in executing the laws OF Con
tween military and civil officers II very credits be to
them 10 able TO say that they have performed thess
duties In such manner TO recoAve the
approval Of their riors and 70 give general sasfac
on to people Of tile States In their respective
tlu