Year: 1863

BALTIMORE, MONDAY EVENING, Nov q 1863
After the above ia print at three O'Clock this after
noon, received from the President the following de-
spatcb:


I revoke the first of the three propositions in General
Schencks General Order No 53 not that it is wrong in
principle but because the military being of necessity
elusive judge to who shall be arrested the provision is
liable to abuse For the revoked part substitute the fol-
lowing: That all provost marshals and other military
officers do prevent all disturbance and violence at
about the polls whether offered by such persons above
described or by other or persons
The other two propositions allow to stand. My letter
at length will reach you tonight. A LINCOLN"
Whilst this modification revokes the authority Of the
provost msrshas and military officers to arrest the classes
Of persons enumerated in the preamble to the order found
at hanging about approaching any poll place Of
election it directs them to prevent all violence dis
tut bance about the polls, &c.


To meet such disturbances the Judges of Election
have already stated clothed with ample powers and
had received previous intmaton that there was any
to apprehend disturbance Of any kind at the polls
tho day of election. In the absence Of any military
display there would certainly to be little for
such apprehensions before existed preparation
by the Government by military to provide for such
contingency will be quite likely to provoke to sub
due such disposition. Not only so, but the military thus
required to prevent violence disturbance about the
polls must necessarily be empowered to arrest the parties
they may charge with such disorder and they still left
in effect the exclusive judges to who shall be
rested "a power they may as readily abuse as any
other.


regret therefore, that can perceive no such change
the general principles of the order to induce to
change the foregoing proclamation.


A. w. BRADFORD.
That the rst order and the modification Of the President
in it's first paragraph may be betr understood the entire
order as originally issued is subjoned


GENERAL ORDERS, No 50.


HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT


Eighth Army Corps, Baltimore, (Bd) Oct. "a, 1863.
1t is known that there many evil disposed persons
at large the State OF MARYLAND who have been en-
gagged in rebellion against the lawful Government or have
given aid and comfort announcement to others 40 en-.
gagged or who DO not recognise their allegiance the Uni
If the authority which toerates their TO embsr
the approaching election or through H. To fost
mics Of the United States into power 1t is therefore
Ordered


l. That all provost marshas and other military officers
do arrest all such persons found at hanging bout
approaching any poll place Of election on the 4tb ot
November 1863 and report such arrest to these head
quarters.


IT. That all provost marshals aud other military officers
commanding Maryland shall support the Judges Of elec
ton on the 4h Of November 1863 in requiring an oath Of
allegiance to the United States, the test Of citizenship
o any one whose vote may be challenged the ground
that he not loyal does not admit his allegiance to the
United States which oath shall be in the following form
and terms:


do solemny that will support protect and de-
fem the Consultation and Government Of the United States
apainst all enemies whether domestic foreign that
hereby pledge my allegiance faith and loyalty tie sams
any ordinance resolution law Of any State Convention
LEGISLATURE TO the contrary Notwithstanding that will at
all times yield hearty and willing obedience TO the said
Constitution and Government aud will either directly
indirectly, do any act h hostility to the same, either
taking arms against them aiding aletting,
nancng those in arms against item; that without perm
sion from the lawful authority, will have commuuica
ton direct or indirect with the States In nsurrecton aas
the United States with either Of them with any
within said insurreconary States and will
In all things depor myself as good loyal citizen Of ii
United States This do In good faith with full determine
on, pledge, and purpose TO keep this my