The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-08
We're Authorized to sAOot.

The lenders of the riofous mob who
confronted the United States regular
troops during the progress of the great
railroad strike probably did moi realize
how perilously near they stood 20 vio-
lent death, for not only were the troops
fully authorized 20 shoot into the mObs,
but the commanding officers were in
structed to detail sharp-shooters TO
shoot down individual rioters who
were particularly active. All this is
evident from general order No. y,
which was made public at the war de
partment last week.
Not for many years had the United
States troops been 80 general in active
service as during the strike, and conse-
quently many commanding officers
were somewhat in doubt as to their
powers and duties under the complex
laws and regulations touching the use
Of troops. To meet this demand for
exact information General Schoiield is
sued general orders No. %. IL was dat
ed July 3, and officers were instructed
to regard il as in confidence, because it
was feared its publication at the time
would further inflane the excited and
lawless Inobs. The full text OF the or
der is as follows:
"A mob forcibly resisting or oh
structing the execution of the laws of
the United States, or attempting to de
stroy property belonging TO or under
the protection of the United States, is
a public enemy.
Troops called into action against
sucn a mob are governed by the gener-
al regulations of the army and military
tactics in respect to the manner in
which they shall act to accomplish the
desired end. IL Is purely tactical
question in what manner they shall
use the weapons with which they are
armed whether by the fire of musket-
~ and artillery, or by the use of the
bayonet and saber, or by both, and at
what stage Of the operations each or
either mode of attack shall be employ
ed.
This tactical question must neces-
sarily be decided by the immediate
commander of the troops, according to
his best Judgment Of the situation and
of the authorized drill regulations.
ain the first stage of an insurrection
lawless mobs are frequently eommin-
gled with great crowds of comparative
ly innocent people, drawn there by Gu
riosity and excitement, and ignorant of
the great danger to which they are ex-
posed. Under such circumstances the
commanding officer should withhold
the fire of his troops, if possible, until
timely warming has been given to the
innocent to separate themselves from
the guilty.
'sUnder no circumstances are the
troops to fire into a crowd without the
order of the commanding officer, ex-
eept that single sharpshOoters, selected
by the commanding officer, may shoot
down individual rioters who have fired
upon or thrown missiles at the troops.
"As n general rule the bayonet alone
should be used against mixed crowds
in the first stageof revolt. But as soon
rs sufficient warming has been given to
enable the innocent to separate them
selves from the guilty the action of the
troops should be governed solely by
the tactical considerations involved in
the duty they are ordered 10 perform
They are not called upon to consider
how great may be losses inflicted upon
the public enemy, except to make their
blows so effective as To promptly sup
press all resistance TO lawful authority,
and to stop the destruction of life the
moment lawless resistance has ceased.
Punishment belongs not to the troops,
but to the courts of justice.
"By command of Major-General
Schofield. GEORGE ID. RUGGLEs,
Acknowledgement y