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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

EEPOET

MAJOR GENERAL MEADE'S

Military Operations and Administration of Civil Affairs

Third Military District and Den>';of the South,
For the Yeax 1868, with Accompanying Documents.

ATLANTA, GA.:
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.
1868.

i?^e:po :Ei>'v,

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Gkoeqia, October 31, 1868.
Sreret Major General John A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff, Washing-
ion, D. a
General: — I herewith transmit, for the information of the Gene
ral-in-Chief, a hrief abstract of the operations under my command,
whilst in charge of the late Third Military District, and subsequently
in command of the Department of the South.
War Department, General Orders, No. 104, of date December 28,
1867, assigned me to the command of the Third Military District, and
on the 6th of January, 1868, f assumed the command with the Head
quarters in this city.
The Third Military District at that time, consisted of the States of
Georgia, Alabama and Elorida. The condition of affairs was simply
as follows : In the State of Georgia, a Convention elected under the
Reconstruction Laws, was in session in Atlanta, but hampered and
embarrassed for want of funds.
In Alabama, a Convention had met, framed a Constitution, nomin
ated a ticket for State officers, and adjourned.
In Florida an election had been held for members of a Convention,
but the body did not meet, under the orders of my predecessor, till the
20th of January.
It is impossible in a report of this kind to give all the various ques
tions and their details, which arose and were adjusted by my action ;
but as by the provisions of the -Keconstruction Laws, from whence
my authority emanated, the power of disapproving my acts was vested
in the General-in-Chief of the Army, I from the first, before taking
action in any important matter, laid before that officer my views and
proposed course. I have therefore deemed it best to append to this
report, as part of it, a full file of the telegrams between the Head
quarters of the Army and myself; and it is with great pride and sat
isfaction I refer to the same, as they will show that it was rarely that
the General-in-Chief was called on to overrule my judgment.
I shall confine myself in this report to the briefest allusion to the
special points to which I wish to invite particular attention.
One of the first questions that presented itself to my action, was the
financial difficulty in the Georgia Convention. I found my predeces
sor had endorsed the requisition of the Secretary of the Convention,
and directed its payment out of the Treasury, and that the Treasurer

had refused payment, on the ground that money could only be paid
out of the State Treasury on warrants drawn by the Governor. Find
ing this to be the state of the case, I appealed to His Excellency, (;harles
J. Jenkins, and requested, in view of the necessities of the Convention,
of the law of Congress authorizing this Convention, and the ordinan
ces levying a tax for the payment of its expense.-!, that he would draw
the necessary warrant for the sum required for their immediate and
pressing expenses. The Governor in reply declined to draw any war
rant except under appropriation by Law, and informed me very dis
tinctly, that he did not acknowledge, and would not be bound by the
Reconstruction Acts of Congress, which, in his judgment were uncon
stitutional, null and void. On receipt of this communication there
was no alternative but the removal of Governor Jenkins, which was
accordingly done, and Brevet Brigadier General Thomas H. Ruger
assigned to duty in his place. Subs^uently I Viras compelled to
remove the State Treasurer and Comptroller, assigning to these posi
tions Captains Rockwell and Wheaton of the Army. I considered it
judicious policy to avail myself of the authority granted in the Re
construction Laws, to detail officers of the army to perform these du
ties, as in this way I gave evidence to the people of the State and of
the country, that my only object in making the removals, was the ex
ecution of the Law, and that the same was free from any personal or
political bias. It affords me gratification to say that I believe the ef
fect of these changes was most beneficial, and that the administration
of General Ruger and his associates, who continued in office 'till the
State was admitted to representation, was in every way creditable to
them and satisfactory to the people of all parties in the State.
Soon after my arrival at my post I received numerous communica
tions from respectable citizens, complaining of the effect of the pass-
ago, by the Conventions of Alabama and Georgia, of acts known as
Relief Laws, which wore intended as staj' laws, to afford relief to
debtors from the immediate pressure of their creditors. It was urged
that the acts of these Conventions, not being binding nor having the
effect of law till ratified by a vote of the people, and it re
quiring time before this vote could be taken, that in view of the
probable acceptance by the people of these acts, creditors were hurry.
ing their action and pressing their debtors, thus making these measures
really acts of oppression, and I was called on to interpose my authori
ty, and give to these acts the force of law until the people could vote
on them. Although personally opposed in principle to any laws in
terfering with the rights of creditors, there was nevertheless so much
force in the reasoning advanced, and the demand from all classes was
so imperative, that after consultation and approval of the General-ir>.

chief, orders were issued making said acts- laws, until reversed or con
firmed by the vote of the people.
Immediately on taking command I was applied to from all parts of
the several States comprising the District, for the removal of incum
bents in office and the substitution tharein of individuals nominated.
These applications were based on various grounds, some purely per
sonal or political, others on the necessity of a change in order to carry
reconstruction, and sometimes on the ground of neglect of duty, or
malfeasance in office. As it was impossible for me, in my ignorance
of men, to form any judgment on the complaints preferred, or on the
fitness and capacity of those seeking office, I determined to abstain
from making any changes except where there was proved neglect of
duty, malfeasance in office, open refusal to obey the Reconstruction
Laws, or attempts to obstruct their execution. In all cases I required
written charges and evidence to be produced, and when these charges
affected, as they did in many instances, whole municipal bodies, I di
rected investigation by boards of officers, and in all cases gave those
accused, a full hearing and every opportunity to defend themselves.
A firm adherence to this rule, and the reports of several board.s non-
concurring in the charges presented, relieved me, after a while, from
the great pressure brought to bear and during the whole course of my
administration there was not a removal made that the archives of the
District will not show was made for some cause alleged, and after in
vestigation. There were necessarily many appointments made to fill
vacancies caused by deaths, resignations and removals of incumbents
from the Counties or States they were living in. Another difficulty
which operated to compel me to adopt the course above reported, was
the fact that by the Reconstruction laws no person could be appointed
to office without taking the oath prescribed, which was of such a
character that it limited to a very small number the person.s able to
hold office. So great was this difficulty, that when I saw a bill in Con
gress requiring the vacation of all offices by those not able to take
the test oath, I felt it my duty to telegraph the General-in-Chief that
if this became a law, it would be impossible to fill the offices, as there
were not enough such persons in either of the States to fill half the civil
offices in these States, and I urgently recommended authority be
granted me to appoint to office registered voters. The bill did not
become a law, and no change was made in my policy.
As previously stated the Convention in Alabama, had under my
predecessor, assembled and framed a Constitution which was to be
submitted to the people. The Convention had fixed the 4th day of
February on which to hold the election, and my predecessor directed
in orders, the election to continue for two days, with as many precincts

as the managers might deem advisable. On representation to me that
two days was insufficient to enable all the votes to be received, an ex
tension by my authority was made of the time to four days, but the
precincts limited in each county to three. The election was held at
the time specified, but owing to a violent storm occurring the first two
days, the time was further extended one day, making five in all. A
special report having been made on the subject of this election, I
deem it only necessary to say here, that from all the evidence 1 could
procure, (and I caused the most thorough investigation to bemade), the
Constitution was fairly rejected by the people, under the law requi
ring a majority of the registered voters to cast their ballots for or
against, and that this rejection was based on the merits of the Consti
tution itself, which was obnoxious to a large body of the friends of
reconstruction, proved so by the fact, that out of nineteen thousand
(19,000) white voters for the Convention, there were only five thou
sand (5,000) for the Constitution, and partially from the fact that the
Constitutional Convention had made nominations to all the State offi
cers, which ticket was not acceptable in all respects to the party fa
voring reconstruction. It will be seen by an inspection of the tele
grams accompanying this report, that I had advised against an election
for State officers at the same time the Constitution was being voted
on, believing that the same was not only not required by the Reconstruc
tion Laws, but that there were objections arising out of personal and
partisan feelings that would or might affect the vote on the Constitu- ¦
tion. After the rejection of the Constitution, I was in favor of its
being revised by re-assembling the Convention, and so officially re
ported. Congress, however, admitted the State, and the Legislature
convened under the Constitution, has in some measure, modified its
most obnoxious features. Upon the subject of this election in Ala
bama, I beg leave to refer to my special report and to the telegraphic
correspondence hereto annexed.
The election for members of the Constitutional Convention in Flo
rida having been held under the direction of my predecessor, he had
advised the assembling of the same on the 20th of January, 1868.
Prior to the assembling of the Convention, I had referred to me by
the President of the United Slates, a memorial, sent to him by the
Provisional Governor of the State, and signed very unanimously by
prominent citizens, in which the gravest charges were brought against
the managers of the election, involving frauds of all kinds, and even
charging the registration of the State, and the districting of the same
as having been fraudulently executed, the memorialists urging me to
interpose my authority, suspend the meeting of the Convention and
proceed to investigate the charges which they pledged themselves to

prove. Upon examination of the law I could find no remedy short
of Congressional action, even should their grave charges be proved,
I therefore made no change in the period fixed for the assembling of
the Convention, but ordered a Board of Officers to investigate the
charges, notifying the memorialists of my action, and pledging my
self to place before Congress all the testimony they might put before
the Board, It is hardly necessary to say, that when it was found the
Convention was allowed to meet and do its work, the Board had little
to do ; and after remaining in session for some weeks, and calling
without avail on the signers of the memorial for their evidence, the
Board closed its session without having any charge proved of all
those made. The Convention met, but soon after meeting, there arose
dissensions and bickerings, resulting in the secession of a large part of
the Convention, and the claim of both parties to be regarded as the
legitimate Convention. For some time I allowed these dissensions to
proceed, not seeing clearly how I could act until I had found that the Con
vention which had originally assembled, and which I had recognized
as the legitimate body, had, by the secession of its members, been re
duced below a legal quorum. When this arrived, I required this body
either to bring in sufficient members to give them a legal quorum, or,
failing in that, to accept certain terms of compromise, which, after re
flection, I deemed just to both parties; or if this failed, I intimated I
should assume the authority and proceed, in view of the impossibility
of harmonizing the difficulties, to adjourn both Conventions, and re
fer the points in dispute to Congress for such action as it might deem
proper to take. The compromise proposition having been accepted,
the two parts of the Convention assembled, re-organized and pro
ceeded to frame a Constitution, which was subsequently ratified by the
people and adopted by Congress.
The Convention in Georgia, after being in session several months,
finally, in March, adopted a Constitution, which, together with a State
ticket, was submitted to the people in April, and ratified by a very
handsome majority of the registered vote; all parties taking part in
the election. This Constitution with some modifications was adopted
by Congress ; and the Legislature, which convened in July, making
these modifications and otherwise complying with the requirements of
the Reconstruction Laws, the State, together with Alabama and Flo
rida, were, by Act of Congress, formally admitted to representation.
There is one point in regard to the admission of the State of Geor
gia, to which I feel called upon to make special allusion. When the
Legislature was convened by the Provisional Governor and Governor
elect, the question arose whether as Military Commander, I was called
on to enquire into the eligibility of the members, either under the

8
United States laws, or the Constitution of Georgia, The Convention
of Georgia had iu its ordinance calling an election, directed that all
returns should be sent to the Military Commander of the District, who
was requested to issue the necessary certificates of election. In car
rying out this request of the Convention, I deemed my duty simply
required that I should give the member having the greatest number
of votes the ordinary certificate of election, and that it would be for
each House to decide on the eligibility of these members, whose seats
were on any grounds contested. Whilst I admitted as District Com
mander, executing the law, I was to see that no one ineligible to of
fice under the Fourteenth Article Constitutional Amendment should
be allowed to take office, I did not see that in the case of a parlia
mentary bodj', I was called on to decide on the qualifications of the .,
members. In this view, I Was sustained by a telegram sent to me for
my information from the War Department, which had been sent to
the Governor of Louisiana and the Military Commander of the Fifth
District, and which I quote ; " Washington, June 30, 1868.
" To Governor Warmoulh, New Orleans:
" We think that persons disqualified under the Fourteenth Article
of the Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, are not
eligible to your Legislature This is to be determined by the respec
tive Houses, but no oath can be imposed except theoath prescribed by
the Stale Constitution. (Signed) "JAS. WILSON,
" Chairman Jvdiciary Committee.
(Signed) " GEO. F. BOUTWELL,
(Signed) " J. F. FARNSWORTU,
(Signed) " H. E. PAI.nE, " Jieconstruction Committee."
It will be seen by the above telegram that the distinguished gentle
men whose names were attached, were of the opinion. First, that no
one ineligible to office under the Fourteenth Article could take a seat
in the Legislature ; Second, that the respective Houses were to judge of
the question; 'Ihird, that no oath testing this eligibility could or should
be prescribed in advance of the meeting of the Legislature. These
views being in accordance with my own, I acted on them, and was
present at the organization of the two Houses of the Georgia Legisla
ture ; to the members declared in my order as having the highest
number of votes, there being administered only the oath prescribed by
the State Constitution. After these Houses were organized, the Pro
visional Governor informing me officially of their organization but
that as far as he could learn, no steps had been taken to test the ques
tion of the eligibility of members under the Fourteenth Article I
replied to the Governor that until the State was admitted to represen-

9
tation, the Legislature and all the officers were only provisional, and
subject to the paramount authority of the District Commander, and
that in the exercise of this power I should consider all acts of the
Legislature null and void, until satisfactory evidence w^s presented to
me that each House had purged itself of ineligible members under the
Fourteenth Article, provided there were any such in cither House ;
and I desired the Provisional Governor to communicate these views
to each House. On the receipt of this letter, each House at once or
dered an investigating committee and enquired into the qualification
of each member, and duly reported this fact through the Provisional
Governor, staling at the same time that neither House had found any
member ineligible.
The Provisional Governor, in transmitting these communications,
expressed the opinion, founded on evidence presented to him, that seve
ral members in both Houses were ineligible, and called on me to exer
cise my power, and require said members to vacate their seats. On
reflecting upon this subject, I could not see how I was to take the in
dividual judgment of the Provisional Governor in the face of a solemn
act of a parliamentary body, especially as, from the testimony pre
sented, I did not, in several cases, agree with the judgment of the
Provisional Governor. The question was simply whether, in the
construction of a law and in considering the facts of individual cases,
I should make myself the judge, or take the opinion of the Provisional
Governor, in the face of the official information that a parliamentary
body had gravely and formally, through a committee, examined, re
ported and acted on these cases. My judgment was decidedly that I
had fulfilled my duty in compelling the Houses to take the action
they had, and that having thus acted, I had neither authority, nor
was it politic or expedient, to overrule their action, and set up my in
dividual judgment in opposition. By an inspection of the telegram
sent July 18, and the reply of the General-in-Chief, July 23, it will
be seen that my views and actions were approved. I allude thus in
extenso to this subject, because His Excellency, the Governor of
Georgia, in a public speech recently delivered at Albion, New York,
is pleased to attribute the failure of Georgia to be properly reconstruc
ted, to my action in failing to purge the Legislature of his political
opponents, h,e having advised me, when he urged such action, that
his friends had been relieved of their disability by Congress,
The States being admitted to representation, the civil power vested
in the Military Commander by the Reconstruction Acts ceased, and
civil authority resumed its way. The inauguration of civil govern
ment was to me, personally, a source of great relief; charged as I had
been with almost unlimited powers. NotwithstandiSg the utmost ef-
2

10
fort on my part to abstain from all interference, except in cases, where
in my judgment there was no alternative, I found myself the subject
of virulent abuse, my motives impugned, and every imaginable mode
of attack resorted to, that malice and partisan malignity could devise.
Determined from the first, to ignore all partisan considerations, and
to faithfully execute the laws, without reference to any personal or
political considerations, I encountered, as was to be expected, the ani
mosity of both sides, without having the benefit of the sympathy of
either. I can, however, with just pride refer to my administration,
as being free from any design to interfere with the rights or liberties
of any individual, much less any portion of the people ; and if in
some instances, as in the prosecution of the assassins of the Honora
ble G. W. Ashburn, of Columbus, Georgia, there was, as I have freely
admitted, arbitrary measures resorted to, which iu a different condi
tion of society, and under a well ordered government, might seem to
deserve reprobation, I feel satisfied the evidence published in the
Special Report made upon this subj ect, will fully convince any candid
and impartial judge, that my course was imperatively urged upon me.
I encountered from the outset great embarrassment from the want
of judgment and knowledge on the part of subordinate agents, and
from the great desire of those expecting benefit from military inter
vention, that I should interpose my authority and set aside the civil
power. Against these infiuences I opposed a steady resistance. Soon
after assuming command, I issued an order both to civil and military
officers, informing the first they would not be interfered with so long
as they faithfully executed their duties ; and enjoining on the latter
to abstain from interfering with the civil powers, and in all cases to
report to me and receive my decision before taking any action ; as, on
my construction of the law, in the military commander and in him
alone, rested the authority to supersede the civil power. I beg leave
to call attention to the report of the Acting Judge Advocate of the
Department, herewith appended, from which it will be seen that
during the whole period of my civil administration, extending over a
space of eight months, there were tried by Military Commission in
three (3) States of Georgia, Alabama and Florida only thirty-two (32)
persons ; of these but fifteen (15) were convicted ; and of these fifteen
(1 5) the sentence of four (4) were disapproved ; of eight (8) others
remitted ; of two (2) referred to the President of the United States
and still awaiting action, leaving but one (1) person convicted and in
confinement for violation of civil law and tried by Military Commis
sion on the cessation of military authority. This simple statement of
facts I deem a complete refutation of the charges that military power
was so despoticayy and arbitrarily exercised.

11
As with fegard to the rights of person, so also with those of proper
ty^ It was my study and effort to aenlously guard the rights of indi
viduals, without reference to any consideration but that of justice Sind
law so far as I could comprehend it. The adoption of the relief laws
in the several States ; the loose manner in which these laws were
drawn by the several legislatures, involved an immense amount of
business in 'receiving, examining into and deciding on the innumerable
cases which were presented ; one side always claiming military inter
vention for their protection. As far as it was possible to do so, these
applicants were alwaj's referred to the Judiciary, whose duty it was
to construe these laws, and it was only in cases where the courts could
not act, or could not be referred to, or in cases where legislative action
was necessary — in other words, cases where action on the part of the
military commander seemed to be imperative, that I would takeany ac
tion. And it is gratifying to be able to state that since the resumption of
civil authority and the right of appeal given to the dissatisfied parties,
I have had no call for any papers or evidence touching any of the few
cases acted on.
The amount of labor performed in carrying out the civil and mili
tary administration of my command, independent of what specially
related to the Civil Bureau, during the period covered by this report,
(from January 1st, to November 1st, 1858,) will be seen by reference
to the accompanying statement of my Assistant Adjutant General,
wherein is shown that there were five thousand four hundred and
thirty-two (6432) letters received, and eighteen hundred and eighty-
three (1883) letters, and six thousand and eighty-four (6084) endorse
ments covering orders, instructions and decisions, sent from my
Headquarters. The St4ites comprising the district having been admitted to reprc
sentatioti, orders were issued declaring the cessation of all interven
tion on the part of military officers in civil affairs ; and the troops that
had suffered greatly in discipline by the manner in which they had
been detached and scattered, were concentrated on railroad centres,
from whence, in the event of theii- services being required, they could
be promptly moved. This movement proved very distateful to the
people and the civil authorities, who, having accustomed themselves
to rely on the troops for maintaining order, were at first apprehensive
of the consequences of their withdrawal.
Instructions were recieved -from the Pres-ident and Secretary of
War confining, the troops to the siniple preservatiqp of the peace, and
and that only, after the civil authorities had exhausted all the means
in their power, and called on tbe military through the proper chan
nels. {See instructions Ooniained in tetters Uddressed to Brevet Mago^

12
General Buchanan and to myself, appended.) It now became my embar
rassing duty to decline using the forces under my command, and
to impress on all pafties, the altered condition of affairs. Soon
after announcing the position of the military, the outrage at
Camilla, in Georgia, was committed, where as I have sta
ted in a special report, the evidence would seem to show,
that the authors of the outrage were civil officers ; who, under the
guise of enforcing the law and suppressing disorder, had permitted a
wanton sacrifice of life and blood. At the same time ithe report
stated that the opposite parties, — for the affair was a political one —
had, by their want of judgment, and their insistance on abstract
rights in the face of the remonstrances of the law officers, giving these
officers the opportunity of acting as they did. Immediately on this
outrage being reported, an officer was dispatched to the scene, who
made a thorough investigation and report. I found from the report
that the affair lasted but one day and that there was no occasion to
employ troops for the preservation of order or the protection of the
people. Being satisfied that the matter had been, and so far as the
detection and punishment of the criminals was concerned, should con
tinue to^be, in the hands of the civil authorities, I transmitted the
report of the investigation, together with the evidence collected, to
his Excellency, the Governor of Georgia.
Early in August, by the order of the President of the United States,
the Second and Third Military Districts were abolished and consoli
dated into the Department of the South, to the command of which, I
was assigned. This added to my command the States of North and
South Carolina, increasing greatly the duties, because in these States,
particularly in South Carolina, military authority had, during recon
struction, almost entirely superseded the civil.
Soon after taking command of the Department of the South, I re
ceived communications from the Governors of North and South Caro
lina urging the use of the troops, in sustaining the Civil Governments
in these States, and notifying me of their possessing satisfactory evi
dence, of armed bodies being organized for the purpose of overthrow
ing the government. I had previously received somewhat similar
communications from the Governors of Georgia, Florida aid Ala
bama. The sum and substance of these letters were an admission that
the several State governments were powerless and unable to enforce
the laws, without the aid and co-operation of the Military. I replied
to these several applications, that I could find nothing in the existing
laws or the instructions from superior authority, which would j ustify my
answering their call ; which virtually amounted to taking charge of
the State governments, — employing the civil officers as agents of the

13
military; that my sole and exclusive duty was to preserve the peace,
and that only, after it was evident that the civil power was unable so
to do, and had called on me in the manner prescribed by law. These
applications became so numerous and pressing, that in view of the
approaching Presidential election, on which day, by the Act of Con
gress approved March 2, 1865, I deemed I was authorized to employ
the militai-y forces to preserve the peace, and to ailm the apprehen
sions of the anxious, and make known my views to the evil disposed,
I issued, early in October, an order distributing the troops in the sev
eral States in the Department, and gave in the order, not only instruc
tions to the officers and men, but deemed it my duty to make an ap
peal to the people of the several States, urging calmness and absti
nence from those political excitements, tending to riot and bloodshed.
Although, particularly careful to require all intervention of the troops
to be subordinate to, and in aid of, and co-operation with the civil au
thorities, this order was misconstrued and subjected to the most viru
lent criticism. I am gratified however, in being able to state that the
effect of the order, and the movements made by virtue of it, were in
the highest degree satisfactory. At the same time, I take this occa
sion to call the attention of the General-in-Chief, and -through him,
those having the power to act, to the anomalous condition of affairs
existing in this Department, and the necessity, if it be deemed proper
for the military to intervene in civil affairs ; that more power be giv
en to the Department Commander, than existing laws confer.
I beg leave to refer to the reports of the several heads of the Staff
Departments at these Headquarters for the necessary information in
relation to the position, condition and discipline of the troops. So
soon as the approaching election is over, it is contemplated to re-con
centrate the troops, and to require the strictest attention to be paid to
the drill and discipline of the several commands.
I take this occasion to express to my several District Commanders,
and to the officers of the Staff Departments, and to the officers and
men of the several commands, my thanks for the prompt and efficient
co-operation I have ever received at their hands. No army, in pre
vious history, was ever called on to discbarge such delicate and re
sponsible duties, involving powers that, if abused, might have led to
the most serious consequences ; and yet the transition from military
to civil power was so imperceptible as to have passed unnoticed but
for the special means, by way of proclamations, orders, etc., to make
it public. I do not mean to deny but that there were individual ex
ceptions, and that in some cases, bad judgment, political bias, or per
sonal feelings, may have influenced the course of some individual
officer or soldier — this is no more than is to be expected from our

u
Mture— but 1 do maintain, that taking the large force extending ovef
such an extent of territory, and vested with supreme power, that in
stead of the few instances whore, perhaps, criticism might be appro
priate, the wonder was— and it is to be said to the credit of the army—
that so little abuse Was made of a power by those who might very
leadily be supposed difficult to restrain and control.
Very respectfully, your obedient serVartt,
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral U' S. Army, Commanding.,

TELEGRAMS BEOEIYED AND SENT.

. Atlamtj;, (Jbokqia, Januafy^ 8, 1868.
General tJ. S. Grant f
The passage of ordinances by th-e Con-ventions of Alabama and
Georgia, enacting relief laws, are producing great suffering in thoser
States, by causing expedition to be used iii making levies iii anticipa
tion of these ordinances having the force of laW. advarftage is being"
taken of the interval of time before these ordinances are laws to brin^
levies and executions, thus eausing these ordinances, intended as a
measure of relief, to become, in realitj', the means of increasing and
greatly aggravating the burden's of the people. I am, therefore, in
clined to adopt the ordinances as t&e act of the military authority
and declare them to bivve force until tbe question is settled as to the'
ado^6i<yn or rejection of the Constitutions enacting them. I refer to
yovi, bctause your telegram ot December 23d is adverse to enforcing'
any of the ordinances of the Conventions prior to the adoption of the
Constitutions, and to obtain your approval of my proposed action.
Answer immediately. (Sigfted) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General/
A true copj' ;
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
WabiiInoton, D/ C, January 10, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Gomm.anding Third Military Districts
As District Commander, I think, you will be perfectly justifiable in
adopting as your own order tbe Stay Laws proposed in the Constitu-
iions ttf be submitted to the people of Alabama afld Georgia. TIil*

15
course is different from adopting, as law, the provisions of the Consti-
•tutions in advaace of their ratification. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General,
A true copy;
R. C, DRUM, Asslstuni Adjutant General.

Atlanta, GBORaiA, January 9, 1868.
General V. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.:
I havehtid a conference with Governor Jenkins, and exerted all my
.influence to induce him to consider the appropriation by the Conven
tion as an appropriation made by law, and not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Georgia Constitution, and urged him to sign the war
rant required by the Treasurer. The Governor declined, and there is
no alternative but the exercise of my power to obtain control of the
State Treasury. To avoid making any more changes than are required
to eftoct the object, and also the difficulty of finding a suitable person
and the questions of bonds, I propose to remove only the Treasurer,
and to assign to the duty Brevet Brigadier General Ruger, with in
structions to continue payments as heretofore, in accordance with the
existing laws of the State, and to make such pajnnents lo the Conven
tion as I shall authorize, checking thus unnecessary expenditures, I
see no other mode of supplying the -wants of the Convention, and its
continuance in session is dependent on its wants being immediately
supplied. It is probable other steps may have to be taken before the
money can be secured, as it is intimated that an issue will be made,
with a view of testing the validity of my powers Your approval or
disapproval is asked at once. (Signed GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C.^DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, January 10, 1868.
Major Gene7'al George G. Meade, Com,manding Third Miiiiary District:
Plan proposed in your dispatch of last evening to remove State
Treasurer of Georgia, is approved. • (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
Atlanta, Georgia, January 11, 1868,
General U. S, Grant, Washington, D. C:
The Convention of Alabama, ordained that when the election for
the ratification of the Constitution should be held, the people should
vote to fill all the offices created by the Constitution, and for members
of Congress. General Pope, in his order authorizes the officers of the
election to receive the votes cast in conformity with this ordinance.
Governor Pattbn and many influential citizens, advocate strongly the
withdrawal of this authority, alleging it will affect injuriously the
question of ratification, and the nominees, mostly members of the
Convention, are not such as the people wculd put in nomination, if

16
fhej'' had n fair chance. General Swayne admits some of the objec,^
tions, but strongly reports against the revocation, on the ground that
it would be disastrous to reconstruction ; that it would require addi
tional elections, greatly to be deprecated and that though not required
explicitly by the, Reconstruction Act, the power exercised by the Con
vention is implied in these Acts. My own judgment, would be against
authorizing this eluction, were the question submitted ab initio. As
the order has been i-ssiued, there are reasons against any change provi
ded the order is legitimate. The ordinance contemplates the whole
of the State machinery going into effect, so soon as the Constitutioij
is ratified ; but I do not think the officers elected, can take office with
out my authority, until the Constitution under which they are elected
receives the approval of Congress. But,, there -will undoubtedly be
great pressure brought to bear, to obtain my authority ; and recent
action in Congress, would seern to indicate'a desire to place tbe State
Governments in the bands of the Conventions. I should be glad to
have your views, aitd as tbe urgency is immediate, I ask for them by
telegraph.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
vVashington, D. C, January 13, 1868.
Major General Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
You will perceive by the Reconstruction Acts that Conventions are
to frame constitutions and civil governments for their respective
States, which already implies authority to order tbe election of officers
thereunder, and in fixing the day of election, Alabama has only fol
lowed an established precedent.
The Governments elected cannot a'ssume authority eicept under
orders from the District Commander, or after action of Congress upon
their Constitutions. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, Januarv 13, 1868.
Md.-jor General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
I would not advise interference with elections ordered by the State
Constitutions, unless very satisfactory reasons exist for doing so
(Signed) U. S. GRANT,
. ^ General.
A true copy ;
R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Atlanta, Georgia, January 12, 1868
General U. S. Grant, Washington, I). C:
General Swayne, upon further reflection, and fuller information as

17
to tbe character of the nominees, withdraws the objections, reported
in my dispatch of yesterday, to the postponement of the election of
State officers in Alabama on the 4th of February proximo.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adj'itnnt General,

Washington, D. n., January 15, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
Telegram to General Grant received. He replies, act according to
your own judgment about postponing Conventions.
(Signed) ADAM BADEAU,
Brevet Brigadier General and A. D. C.
A true copy :
R. C, DRUM) Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Guorgia, January 12, 1868.
General U, S. Grant :
Unless the pending bill in Congress, directing military commanders
to fill all the offices in the States under their commands rescinds the
test oath and provides for selection from qualified voters, I am in
formed its execution in this District will bo entirely impracticable.
GEORGE 'G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy ^
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 15, 1868.
'General TJ. 5. Grant, Washington, D. C. :
The Governor of Florida has laid before me, and endorsed the same,
a petition numernr.sly signed, asking that the order of General Pope
calling together the Constitutional Convention on. the 20th inst.,be
suspended for a period sufficiently long to enable me to decide on the
questions raised by them invalidating the election of the members.
The points raised, are the violation of the Reconstruction Laws by
tJeneral Pope. First,vc\ the manner of districting the State. Second-
Ifl, in the registration thereof. Thirdly, in the conduct of the election.
There is not time for me to deliberately examine these points, but
there is prima facie evidence justifying me in the belief that perbaps,
according to my judgment, the Reconstruction Laws have not been
strictly adhered to, or at least there are grave questions raised.
Under this view, 1 am disposed to postpone the meeting of the Con
vention for thirty days; but in this, as in all cases, refrain from act
ing until advised that you do not disapprove my proposed action.
JPlease reply immediately. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Generate
A true copy :
R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraX.
3

18
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia January 16, 1868.
General U. S. Grant, TJ. S. Army, Washington, D. C. .
Has a District Commander any authority, under the law, to correct
infractions of the law ? Has he" any power, supposing he is satisfied
that an election had not been properly conducted, or that great frauds
existed, to set the election aside, and order another ? My own opinion
is, that he has not, and that the only appeal in cases of improper dis
tricting, or fraudulent election, is to be found in Congress when the
Constitutions are acted upon. Answers to these questions are impor
tant because if I cannot correct the evils charged in th'e case of Flo
rida, there is no occasion to postpone the meeting of the Convention.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
Washington, D. C, 'January 17, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military Dis-
trict:
Congress unquestionably can determine upon the question presented
by the Governor of Florida, whatever may be the authority of Dis
trict Commanders over such cases.
Major General Pope having practically settled the matter com
plained of, by his action, before you assumed command of the Third
District, it is deemed judicious, not to interfere with meeting of the
Converttion at the time ordered by him ; but leave the whole matter
to Congress, on its final action. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January, 18, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. :
General: The State Treasurer and Comptroller General of this
State, have not only removed beyond my jurisdiction all the funds in
their charge, but all the books and records of their offices, hoping bv
these means to force a resort to civil process. As these acts are not
only in violation of the statutes of Georgia, but clear cases of contempt
of the power and authority of the United States, I ha,je ordered the
arrest, and if necessary, confinement of these derelict officers and
their trial by Military Commission for malfeasance in office and con
tempt of authority. (Signed) GEORGE. G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. X>'S.\5'M.y Assistant Adjutant- General.
Washington, D. C, January 18, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military Dis
trict :
Tell me whether you think the election for civil officers in Alabama

19
sbould take place as now ordered, or not. It looks to me, better that
it should ; but, being present, you can tell better than I can.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, General,
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 18, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
I have nothing to add my telegrams of the eleventh and twelfth
instants in relation to postponement of Alabama election. My own
judgment was in favor of rescinding General Pope's order authorizing
it, but your dispatches of the thirteenth instant Were so conclusive,
and the delicacy I have ih regard to General Pope's orders, caused
me to notify Governor Patton that I should take no action. It is now,
in my judgment, as the election is so near, too late to make any
change. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. Ci DRUM, Assi.stant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 19, 1868.
General TJ. S: Grant, Washington, D, C. .¦
The conduct of the officials of Georgia, embarrass me in procuring
funds for immediate purposes. I am informed the Georgia Slate
Road, under instructions from the Governor, and doubtless, in antici
pation of existing condition of affairs, has recently, without regard to
the wants of the State Treasury, paid large suras to the Quartermaster
General, on account of its indebtedness to the Government. It has
occurred to me, that if this money has not yet reverted to the Treas
ury, and is under the control of the War Department, that a tempo
rary return of a portion of it might be made to the Treasurer of
Georgia or myself, for immediate wants; and when the present diffi
culties are overcome, and the revenue of the State derived from the
Regular sources, this loan could be returned. If this is practicable, I
Would most urgently recommend it, as if I can only get money, the
officials are flanked. I am further advised by the Superintendent of
the State road, who is faithfully co-operating with me, that if tbe
auditing and settlement of his accounts could be transferred from
Colonel Dana, at Washington, to an officer here^either General Sax-
ton or Capt'iin Farnswortb, that tbe settlement would be greatly ex
pedited, and the revenue derived from the road, placed in the State
Treasury in a much shorter time. This is very desirable, and I would
urge said transfer be authorized. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

20
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 23, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. :
The Importance of the subject and tbe very great embarrassment I
find myself in, owing to tbe financial condition of this State, authoi--
ize and compel me to call your attenton to my telegram of tbe 19th
instant, and to urge immediate action thereon.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, January 24, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District:
I have recommended the adoption of your suggestions about Geor
gia Railroad and funds. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 31 , 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
I am sorry to seem to be importunate, but the Convention presses
me with their wants, and are making various propo.sitions to raise
money which, in the event of any action being had on my telegrams
of the nineteenth instant, I am reluctant to accede to. I therefore,
would like to bear what probability there is of my proposition and
your recommendation being acted on.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, February 1, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Miiiiary District:
Report of action on your dispatch of 19th January, was sent by
mail several days ago. There is scarcely any hope of anything from
here, of a pecuniary nature.
U. S. GRANT,
General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 21, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grani^ Washington, D. G. .-
I have received, through the President of the United States, a com
munication frorii the Governor of Florida, relating to the meeting of
the Convention. May I ask you to show to the President my tele-

21
grams on this subject, with your replies. I am advised to-day, by tele
graph, that the Convention met yesterday and adjourned.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C, DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Cfeneral.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C. , January 25, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding 'Hard Military District :
Will it not be well to extend the number of days the Polls are to
be kept open at the Alabama election, in order to give full opportuni
ty to all who register, to vote? Two days will hardly be sufficient
time. It would be better to amend General Pope's order now, than after
the election had commenced, (Signed) - U. S, GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R, 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, January 26, 1868.
General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. .
After reference to Commanding Officer, in Alabama, I have modi
fied General Order No. 101, so as to allow four days for voting, and
confined the number of precincts to not more than three, in any one
county. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. •

Washington, D. C, February 5, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Com,manding :
Your application in relation to the bill to be filed in the Supreme
Court of the United States by Charles J. Jenkins, is received.
Counsel will be employed and the matter attended to.
(Signed) E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, February 10, 1868.
Major General G. G. Meade :
'Tell me the probable result of Alabama election,
(Signed) U. B. GRANT, b'eneral.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, February 10, 1868.
General TJ. 8. Or ant, Washington, J). G.: -, «> ¦ i-
I returned from Afabama yesterday. The election passed off with
out disorder of any kind. It is not practicable, as yet, to form any

iloedrate opinion of tbe vote, but indicEitiohs Would seem to sbo-* that
it will not be greater than the vote cast for Convention, perhaps less,
and if the registered vote has beeti much increased, the Constitution
may be lost. In some of the Counties, no polls were opened — cause as
yet unknown. In others, neither of the orders extending time of elec
tion were received^ I am having a thorough investigation of these
cases, and wherever I am satisfied the facilities required by the law
have not been furnished, I shall re-open the polls, or have polls
opened for a sufficient length of time to enable all who desire to vote
to do so.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneralt
A true copy i
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
Washington, D; C, February 13, 1868.
Major Generai Geon'ge G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District,
Atldnta, Georgia:
Your dispatch, stating that you would investigate causes for noil-
holding of election, in pans of Alabama, and ndn-exteflsion of time
in others, and determination to give time hereafter, is right. We
have nothing to do with defeat or success of the Constitution of Ala
bama ; but it is the duty of the Military to see that all who are enti-»
tied to, should have an opportunity to express their will in the matter
at the polls. (Signed) Xj. S, GRANT,- General.
A true copy i /
B. C. DRUM, Assisittnt Adjutant General.

FtBEtjAEY 12j 1868.
General Grant, Washington, JD. 0. .'
Out of forty-six delegates elected to tbe Convention of Florida, and
ordered by General I*ope to assemble at Tallatiarisee, forty appeared -
find org;anized. Subsequently, dissensions arose, — principally on the
question of distribution of dfncers — -when eigfiteen of the meriiberS
.Vithdrew from the Convention. Tbe tWenty-two left, proceeded to
form si Constitution and have notified me of their having done so, and
BsR an Ordei* for an election, and await my action prior to adjourn-
tnent. In the mean time, the eighteen seceders joined by three Of the
delegates who failed to appear at the original organization, making
twentyone elected members, have organized and sent a protest against
the actioli of the original body, and claim they have twi nty-four
members present. Up to this time, I have declined to interfere with
their dissensions or to allow the military poWer to intervene iii aid of
One or the other {lai'ty, deferring any action till their proceedings re
quired it on my part. I must now d"ecide on the legality of the acts
of twenty-two who present a CoilstitUtion. If this party had a ma
jority of the original members elected, I Would have no doubt of their
stato,— -but they have not. They have a majority of the members
present at the organization, but three are known to have since joined
and the seceders claim that six have joined them. In other words'
are twenty-two members of a body to which forty-six were elected '

23
forty organized, and three subsequently apfieared, competent to dis
charge the functions assigned by law to the Convention.
I sbould have gone to Florida but for the Alabama election, and
shall now go so soon as affairs in Alabama will permit. I have used
eveiy eftbrt by recommendations to produce harmony, and perhaps,
unless otherwise advised by you, shall continue to refuse any action
until sufficient number of the seci^ders shall return to the original
body, so as to make their number a majority of the number elected.
This will require the return of two of the Senators. Your views are
asked as sooif as possible. (Signed GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General,
A true copy :
R. C.__DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, February 13, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District,
Atlanta, Georgia:
Has not the Convention of Florida expelled some of the members
elect as ineligible to seats ? If so, is not twenty-two members a quo
rum, and are not the expelled members among the seceders ?
(Signed) U. S. GRANT,

General.

A true copy :
R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, February 13, 1868.
JIfajor General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
I suggest that you advise Florida Convention that their acts can
not be recognized unless they are the acts of an undoubted quorum of
the whole number of Delegates elected. Unless such a quorum open
in their acts in a reasonable time, I would refer the whole matter,
with all facts, to Congress. It will be well for you to go to Florida
as soon as possible. _ „
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, GeneraL
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, February 28, 1868,
Major Oeneral George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District,
Atlanta, Georgia:
If any notice, subpoena, or other paper is served on you, in the
Georgia case, give no answer whatever, other than to refer any party
or paper to our Council, care of the Secretary of War. Give the
same notice to Ruger and Rockwell. (Signed) U. S, GRANT, OeiwaL
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant A(^utant Oeneral

u
Atlanta, Georgia, February 29, 1S68.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
The Florida Convention have submitted to me an ordinance relating
to the ratification of the Constitution and election of officers under it.
This ordinance provides that when the election is held under my or
ders for ratification, that the judges, inspectors and other officers shall
provide separate ballot boxes, etc., and shall receive tbe ballots for
Congressional, State and County officers, of all persons qualified to
vote under the provisions of tbe Constitution, or, in other Words, the
votes of persons not registered under the Reconstruction Laws, are to
be allowed to vote for these officers. Is this election of officers under
tbe Constitution, and only to take office on tbe adoption of the Con
stitution, to be considered as an election for officers under the Pro
visional Government referred to in section six of Act approved March
2, 1867, and all non-registered voters, excluded by this section at first
election held under the new Constitution ? Again, the ordinance
designates certain days in 31ay for holding tbe election. Since ad."
journing, the President of the Convention, on behalf of a majority of
its members, applies to have the date of election advaliced to some
time in April. Does section four of Act approved March 23, 1867,
authorize District Commander to fix day of election, or change the
same, after the Convention has designated a day ?
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
K. U. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani General.

Washington, D. C, March 2, 1868.
Major General George G, Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
The election proposed by the Convention for officers under the new
Constitution, I do not consider as an election for officers under the
Provisional Government, referred to in Section six (6) of tbe Act ap
proved March 2, 1867. It is clear to ray mind, that a proper con
struction of Section four (4), of Act approved March IZ, 1867, does
not authorize District Commanders to fix or change the day of elec
tion, after it has been designated by the Convention.
U. S. GRANT,
Oeneral.
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjvlant General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, March 6, 1868.
General Grant, Washington, D. (X :
Can yon not send mc an official or certified copy of the supplemen
tary Reconstruction Act, recently passed by Congress, — I mean the
one authorizing elections for State officers, at same time that Consti
tution is submitted for ratification. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
Washington, D. C, March 7, 1868
Major Oeneral George G. Meade, Commanding Ihird Military District: ' .
Please transmft immediately, a copy of the protest of the Georgia

25
Convention, against the proceedings of Governor .Jenkins, now pend
ing in the Supreme Court of the United States, which you lately for
warded. The copy to be authenticated by the signatures of the Pres
ident and Secretary of the Convention, without any State ; but certi
fied by you to bo genuine signatures of those officers, and that they
are the President and Secretary of the State Convention now in ses
sion. The paper should reacli here before next Friday, and may be
sent by special messenger, to be detailed for that purpose. To have
the authentication correct, it would be well to send a copy of the au
thentication by telegraph, omitting the protest itself, so that any
changes desired by counsel can be made. Acknowledge this tele
graph. EDWIN M, STANTON,
A true copy:
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, March 9, 1868,
Son. K M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington, D. 0.:
Sir: — I send herewith by the hands of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
C. D. Emory, Aide-de-Canip, an official copy of the resolution of the
Georgia Convention in relation to the suit brought in the Supreme
Court of the United States in the name of the State of Georgia.
Very respectfullv, vour obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General U. S. A., Commanding.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, March 8, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding ;
The proposed certificate is right, but to use every precaution, it
would be well to add also your affidavit. The papers must be here by
Thursday night, and as much earlier as possible. E. M. STANTON.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washinuton, I). C, March 7, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Com-inanding :
Law asked for by you, sent by mail.
When may vour report on Alabama election bo looked for ?
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant- General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, March, 9, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
I have only to-day received report on Alabama election. Vote for
Constitution" 70,812; against it 1,005; total vote cast 71,817 ; total
vote cast for Convention 91,808 ; white vote for Constitution 6,702;
white vote cast for Convention 18,553 : vote on Constitution lacks for
4

26
ratification 13,550. Out of G2 Counties, twenty voted four day.*, thir
teen voted two days, and two had no election, the balance, twenty-
seven, voted five da\5. I am satisfied the Constitution was lost on its
m?rits, and I think the best to do, would be for Congress to re-assemble
tLe Convention to revise the Constitution and then re-submit it to the
people under the new law, giving a majority of votes cast the power
to ratify. I do not see much use in re-opening the polls as I proposed,
ao there is no possibility the votes that w^ould be cast affecting the
result. As soon as I can get away from here, I shall go to Montgome
ry to decide tbe question. In the mean time, as soon as I can have
prepared the data, I will send you a report, showing the election as it
took place ; this will require perhaps a week.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General.

Washington, D. C, March 9, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding :
Telegraph me the number of votes cast for Constitution; the num
ber against, and the total number registered. Resolution of Congress
calls on me for this information. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, Genera!.
A true copy :
R. C. DEOI, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DI.STRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, March 10, 1868.
General V. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
I telegraphed you yesterday the result of Alabama election. By
adding the amount, vote on Constitution fails of ratification, to that
vote, and doubling, you will get amount of re?i=tered yote.=, viz : one
hundred and ninety thousand seven bundreil and thirty four, — but I
sbould explain, that this amount is partly estimated, as some of the
counties had not all =ent in their revised registration. Again, this
amount includes registration in these counties where no election was
had, which ought not, in my judgment, to be included. All these
points I will give you when my written report goes on. I telegraphed
yesterday only the substance of Havden's report.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD iirLIT.\.RY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, March 12, 1868.
General Grant, Washington, D. C:
Alabama election returns show that the vote on Governor is eleven
hundred and eighty-six less than vote on Constitution, and vote on
Probate Judges is seven hundred and forty-two less than vote for
Constitution. I send these because it has been charged that gross
frauds were perpetrated in mutilating the tickets of colored men by
tearing off the vote on the Constitution, and it was predicted that the
vote for Probate Judges would exceed the vote on the Constitution by
many thousands. 1 am of the opinion that most of the charges of ex
tensive frauds will prove as illusory as the above. There were un
doubtedly irregularities in the election sufficient to justify its being

27
S!>t aside as recommended, and I believe a more liberal Constitution
would command a majority of votes. In this State and Florida,
where the Constitutions do not go beyond the requirements of (Con
gress, but fully comply with them, there seems to be no doubt among
all parties but that the people will ratify them by large majorities.
The Georgia Convention adjourned yesterday, and the election for
ratification will be held on tbe twentieth proximo.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General U. S. A.
Washington, D. C, March 13, 1868.
Major General George 0. Meade, Commanding :
The last amendatory Reconstruction Act is now law.
U. S. GRANT,
Oeneral.
A true copy ;
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

W.iSHiNGTON, D. C, March 13, 1868.
Major Oeneral George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
If you think it advisable to authorize the Florida election to take
place in April, do not permit anything in my dispatch on that sub
ject to keep you from it.
U. S. GRANT,
General
A true copy : •
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, March 14, 1868.
Oeneral Grant, Washington, D. C:
Georgia Convention, in ordering election of members of Congress
and State officers, after prescribing that at these elections the qualifi
cations for voters shall be the same as prescribed by acts of Congress
for voters on ratification, require voters to swear they will support the
Constitution submitted, and that they have not prevented, or at
tempted to prevent, any one from voting. Is this permitted by the
law of March 12, 1868, which prescribes that at these elections regis
tered voters may vote? If permitted, do you think any oath should
be required of registered voters for officers under the Constitution
which is not required of voters on the Constitution?
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE.

Washington, D. C, March 16, 1868.
Major General George 0. Meadv, Commanding Third Military District :
Section two of the last amendatory Reconstruction Act provides the
same qualifications for voters for members of Congress and the elective
officers provided for by tbe Constitution submitted, as are prescribed
for voters on the ratification of the Constitution. Voters on the rati
fication of the Constitution cannot, under the law, be required to take
the oath prescribed by the Convention, and, in mjr opinion, it Would
be ia contravention oif tbe acts of Congress to require voters for Con-

28
gressmen and other elective officers to take it. Section second, re
ferred to, is applicable to the Florida election.
U. S. GRANT,
General.
A true copy :
R. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

Washington, D. C, March 28, 1868.
Major Oeneral George 0. Meade, Commanding "Third Military District :
The motion for injunction against you and Geuoial Ruger, and Col
onel Eockwell, was postponed by the Court yesterday, until the 1st of
December next. E. M. STANTON.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
Washington, D. C, April % 1868.
Major General George 0. Meade, Commanding) Third Military District, At'
lania, Georgia.
I suggest that tbe murder of Mr. Ashburn be investigated and
justice be meted out promptly by Military Commission if the civil
courts cannot be relied on. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, Genercd.
A true copy r
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Geoeoia, April 3, 1868.
General Grant :
I have just returned from Florida, and find your dispatch in rela
tion to tbe murder of Mr. Ashburn. Captain Mills, commanding at
Columbus, reports he is doing everything in co-operation with the
civil authorities, to delect and arrest tbe murderers ; and if any are
caught, I intend trying them by Military Commission.
(Signed) iGEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, April 4, 1868.
General Oraid, Washington, D. C:
There are unmistakable signs of disorder in this State and Ala
bama from secret organizations, such as have disturbed Tennessee. I
am about issuing a very stringent order, and shall take very summary
measures to check this evil, if practicable, but the force under my
command is insufficient to control all parts of these Slates, and in
view of the approaching elections I would be much relieved if the
forces here could be temporarily increased, say an additional regiment
for two months. The moral effect of re-inforcements would be very
, great, besides the actual benefit of additional forces. The people are
becoming alarmed, the negroes getting excited threatening retaliation,
and affairs within the last ten days assuming a serious aspect. The

29
object seems to be to drive obnoxious men out of the country. If you
cannot spare a regiment, any companies you can send will be of great
value. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistanl Adjutant. General.
Washington, D. C, April 7, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding third Miiiiary District At
lanta, Georgia :
Will it not be well to remove all tbe civil officers in Columbus, and
all other places where like outrages occur.
In Alabama, where outrages are committed, the men elected might
be installed. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
E, C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUAETEES THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, April 9, 1868.
Oeneral U. S. Grant:
I have not removed civil authorities of Columbus, because Captain
Mills, commanding there, reported they were acting in concert with
bim, and evinced every disposition to ferret out murderers, I did
not send any Board to investigate, because Mills and his subordinates
were doing every thing it was practicable to do. I have been fully
alive to the necessity of action, but am waiting till I see the time
when action will be available. Captain Mills has made some ten ar
rests, principally of people whom he has reason to believe have knowl
edge of the perpetrators of the deed. I have sent Major Smyth, of
the Judge Advocate General's Department, to assist in the investiga
tion, and have written to Mills to get his judgment on expediency of
making removals of the civil officers. Tbere will be difficulty just
now in finding people willing to assume, the responsibilities and dan
gers of the position. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy ;
R. C DRVM, Assistant Adjiitant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, April 11, 1868.
Oeneral TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. :
Have requested General Gillem to send companies at once to this
place. These, with those from Thomas, will answer all purposes so
far as can be anticipated. Matters have become in appearance much
quieter, since issuing General Orders No. 51.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General,
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

30
HEADQUAETEES THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, April 29, 1868.
General U. S. Grant ^ Washington, D. C. :
Election passed off'as quietly as could be expected, one or two seri
ous outbreaks only. Many complaints of frauds from both sides, and
some applications based on them for re-election. These will^ be
thoroughly investigated, and action predicated on result of investiga
tion. Official returns come in slowly. No accurate judgmentcan as
yet be formed, but the probabilities are that the Constitution is rati
fied by a very large majority; Bullock, Republican, elected by a small
majority, and D'-mocrats carried a majority of the Legislature. N"o
acknowledgment has bee" received by me of my letter to you of the
16th instant, and I would be relieved to know, at the earliest moment,
your views on the points raised therein.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General,
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. n., April 29, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
I have carefully read your letter of 16th April, and its enclosures,
I see nothing in them to change my opinion as expressed to you in
my dispatch of March 2, 1868.
The officers elected under the new Constitution of Georgia, are not ¦
officers of the Provisional Government referred to tn the Reconstruc
tion Acts, nor are they officers elected under any so-called State au
thority, and are not therefore required to take the oath prescribed in
section nine. Act of July 19, 1867. The eligibility to hold office
must be determined by the new Constitution, and the Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, designated as Article Fourteen.
(Signed) U, S. GRANT, Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, May 2, 1868.
General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. :
Ryland Randolph, editor of the Tuscaloosa Monitor, whose paper
has been frequently sent to you, as well as myself, recently assaulted,
with intent to kill, a freerlman in that town. The disordered condi
tion of the State; the influential position of the criminal, induced
General Shepherd to have Randolph arrested and to prefer charges
against him, which I have ordered tried by Military Commission.
Judge Busteed, of the United States District Court, has granted a
writ of Ao6ea,s cor-jozfs returnable on the 5th inst. Undei my orders
(General Orders No. 11,) this writ will be obeyed so far as presenting
the body in court and making respectful return, setting forth the
ground and authority of arrest. It is not known whether Judge
Busteed will acknowledge the authority or admit the justification on

31
the grounds set forth. Should he order the discharge of the prisoner,
your opinion of the course to be pursued is solicited.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL

Washington, D. C, May 4, 1868.
Major Oeneral George O. Meade, Commanding :
Randolph being taken before a United States Court, I advise sub
mission to decision of that court.
U. S. GRANT,
General.
A true copy :
R. O. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, May 8, 1868.
General Grant, Wa.'ihinqton, D. C. :
Colonel Sprague telegraphs, eleclion in Florida passed off without
disorder; judging from partial returns. Constitution ratified by about
three thousand majority, and Reed ticket, (Republican,) elected by a
small majority. The official returns have been received in this State
from all but one cnuntj', and show Constitution ratified by 17,973 ma
jority ; Bullock elected by 7,279 majority; Senate 27 Republicans, 16
Democrats, 1 doubtful. House 95 Republicans, 74 Democrats, and 6
doubtful. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WA.SHINGT0N, D. C, May 9, 1868.
Major General George O. Meade, Commanding :
Do you think it advisable to appoint civil officers elected at late
election in Georgia to relieve all army officers heretofore appointed
by you ? (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
A true copy :
R. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, May 11, 1868.
Oeneral TJ. S Grant, Washington, D C:
It was not my intention to put in office any of the civil officers
recently elected until Congress had acted on the Constitution. The
only army officers detailed are tbe Governor, Comptroller and Trea
surer. The Governor, if put in office, could not appoint any one,
and would have to appoint every one through me. I do not desire
anv such position, and doubt if it would result harmoniously. Again,
all' appointees would have to take the test oath, and I question
whether many of the elected men can do this. I have been greatly
embarrassed in the few appointments I have made to find men who

32
could take this oath. When the Constitution is sent to Congress, if
they authorize the civil government going into office in advance of
the admission of the State and on the same terms as if the State had
been admitted — that is, withoiit requiring the test oath, I think this
would be well. I am not disposed to relieve Governor Ruger at
present, as there are certain financial and other questions originating
under him, which it is due to him, he should have time to adjust and
settle. I perhaps ought to explain what I mean by want of harmony between
the Governor elect and myself. Of course you will understand his
appointments will be made on political and party grounds, and will
be undoubtedly from his standpoint, on good and sufficient reasons,
but 1 have nothing, and wish to have nothing to do with these mat
ters, and if he makes appointments through me, the responsibility of
concurrence, if nothing more, must rest on me.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major^ Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
Washington, D. C, June 1, 1868.
Major General George 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
1 would suggest that the military interfere no obstacle to the meet
ing of the legislature of Florida. Leave Congress to reject or affirm
their acts.
I do not suggest ordering the legislature to meet, but mere in
structions' to the commander of the State that he do not interfere in
the matter. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, GeneraL
A true copy:
E. C DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUAETEES THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, June 1, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
It will not be practicable to adopt your suggestion in regard to the
Florida Legislature without some action on my part. When tbe
election of State and County officers were ordered, I directed the re
turns to be sent to the Superintendent of Registration, instead of the
Board of Canvassers, as provided in the ordinance of the Convention.
The members of the Legislature cannot get their certificates of elec
tion, without my directing the returns to be turned over. Mv object
was and is to retain control of the whole subject, because if the Legis
lature is permitted to convene without orders from me, and without
regard to the paramount authority which the Reconstruction laws vest
in me, interminable confusion and conflict of authority will be sure to
result. So long as the Reconstruction laws are in force, I should be
opposed to the convening of the Legislature, except by mv order and
under my authority. If these Legislatures would confine themselves
to simply acting on the Fourteenth Article, and then adjourning to
await Congressional action, I would not object so much, but once
assembled they will do as they please, pass laws inconsistent with my
powers and orders, tax ad libitum the State Treasuries, without any

'33
control and without any means of enforcing their acts except through
me ;_ whereas, if Congress will only act on tbe Constitution, and au
thorize District Commander to instal the elected governments, on
some terms as if State was admitted, there would be no difficulty in
the Governrr-elect calling together the Legislature, and controlling
their actions through the veto. Unless, therefore, you send positive
orders, I shall require the Legislatures of Georgia and Florida, to
await action of Congress on the presented Constitutions of those
States. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjaiani General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, June 2, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. .
Official returns of the Florida election this day received, show for
the Constitution, fourteen thousand five hundred and sixty-one
(14,561) votes; against the Constitution, nine thousand five hundred
and eleven (9,511) votes ; majority for the Constitution, five thousand
and fifty (5,050) votes. For the office of Governor, — Harrison Reed
received fourteen thousand four hundred and twenty-one (14,421)
votes ; George W. Scott received seven thousand seven hundred and
thirty-one (7,731) votes, and Samuel Walker received two thousand
two hundred and fifty-seven (2,257) votes.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUJI, Assistant Adjutant General.
Atlanta, Georgia, June 22, 1868.
To Major General George G. Meade, (Care Adjt. General U. S. Army):
General Dunn requests me to say that the trial of Columbus pris
oners has not yet commenced, nor can it probably before the last of
this week. There is no prospect that the trial can be completed be
fore the State is admitted. Can a trial by Military Commission be
continued after admission of State? He desires you to see if Congress
will not pass an Act for the disposition of all trials that may be pend-
ine on admission of a State.
^ R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutani General.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

Washington, D. C, June, 26, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District:
The act to admit the States of North Carolina, South Carolina,
Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and Florida to representation in Con
gress, became a law June 25, 1868.
Please notify the Governors elect of the States in your district, for
under the act, the Governor elect may, if he deems it necessary, con-
5

34
vene the Legislature thereof at an earlier date than that fixed by law.
U. S. GRANT, Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, June 27, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military Dis
trict :
Your proposition relative to employiuent of Counsel in the mur
der case, is approved. (Signed) J. M. SCHOFIELD, Secretary of War.
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistanl Adjutant Geneiral.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, June 29, 1868.
Major General George 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
To avoid any questions as to who shall exercise the offices of Gov
ernor and Lieutenant Governor, in tbe State of Georgia and Ala
bama, notice convening of the Legislatures of said States, under the
Act of Congress passed June 25, 1868. You will appoint tbe Gover
nor and Lieutenant Governor elect, of Georgia, Governor and Lieu
tenant Governor of said State, mce present incumbents removed ; and
the Governor and Lieutenant Governor elect, of Alabama, Governor
and Lieutenant Governor of said State, rice present incumbents re
moved. These appointments and removals to take effect at the date
of the convening of said Legislatures, respectively.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, June, 30, 1868.
Son. Secretary of War and General TJ. S. Ch-ani, Washington, D. C. :
When I left Washington, I was of the opinion that the trial of all
civil prisoners might be, and should be left to the civil authorities on
the admission of the State. Since my arrival, owing to the develop
ments in the Ashburn murder case, the intense excitement produced
by the same, and tbe false and malicious statements made for political
purposes, I deem it most urgent that the trial should be carried on to
the end by the military authorities. Colonel Schofield will apprise
you of the character of the evidence, but every conceivable obstacle is
, being resorted to to produce delay, with the intention of takino- the
prisoners out of my hands by writ of habeas corpus so soon as the
State is supposed to be admitted. I think, therefore, for the purposes
of justice, some action should be had in Congress continuing tbe trial

35
of all cases by Military Commission pending at the time the State is
admitted. Cannot this be done ?
' (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM Assistant Adjutant GeneraL
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, July 1, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Miliiaiy Dis
trict :
In the absence of General Grant, your dispatch of yesterday was
to-day submitted to the Secretary of War, and it is his opinion that
the suggested Congressional action cannot be had.
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta', Georgia, July 6, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. G. :
Both Houses of the Legislature of this State organized on the 4th
instant, by electing a President of the Senate and Speaker of the
the House. Indications would seem to point to a Democratic majori
ty in the ^ower House, and probable rejection of the Fourteenth Arti
cle. When the House? were organized, all members who had received
the largest number of votes were allowed to qualify by taking the
oath prescribed by the Constitution of tbe State, and no reference was
made to the eligibility of members under the Fourteenth Article. It
is believed tbere are several in both Houses who are disqualified, but,
of course, it is not to be expected that a Democratic majority will
make any haste to unseat such. The question is, have I any authori
ty in the premises? A legislative body is undoubtedly the judge of
the qualifications of its own members ; but has a Legislature convened
under the Reconstructicm Acts, and, therefore, provisional, under
these Acts and the Act of June 25, until it has passed the Fourteenth
Article, the right to pass the Fourteenth Article, or do any act be
yond mere organization until it has purged itself of disqualified mem
bers, and can I, in view of the powers conferred by the Reconstruc
tion acts, exercise any control over them in case of their failure so to
do ? An early reply to this telegram is requested.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, July 7, 1868.
Major Oeneral Oeorge G. Meade, Cornmanding Third Military District :
Your dispatch relative to the eligibility of members of the Georgia
Legislature,, and your authority touching the same, has been received
and forwarded to General Grant for instructions.
It is clear to my mind, that under the Reconstruction Acts, includ-

36
ing the one passed June 25, 1868, that no person prohibited from hold
ing office under the United States, or under any State, by section
three (3) of the proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, known as Article 14, unless relieved from such disa
bility, is eligible to a seat in the Legislature, and is, therefore, not
competent to take part in its deliberations, or to pass upon the ratifi
cation of said Amendment. Under ordinary circumstances, the Leg
islature itself would be the proper judge of the qualifications of Us
members, and bearing upon this latter point, I send you herewith
copy of dispatch of Hon J. F. Wilson, George S. Boutwell and
others, to Governor Warmouth, of Louisiana. I also send one from
General Grant to me, for General Buchanan, which most unmistake-
ably defines bis views of the character of these Governments, and
authority of the District Commanders. The Reconstruction Acts are
required to be construed liberally, to the end that all the intents
thereof, viz : the re-establishment of Civil Governments in the States
lately in rebellion may be fully and perfectly carried out ; and it would
seem that persons ineligible to hold office under their provisions should
not be permitted to defeat them. (Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
June 30, 1868,
To Governor Warmouth, New Orleans:
We think that persons disqualified by the 14th Article of the
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, are not eligible
to your Legislature. This is to be determined by the" respective
Houses ; but no oath can be imposed except the oath presented by the
State Constitution.
(Signed) JOSEPH S.WILSON, Chairman Judiciary Committee.
GEO. S. BOUTWELL,!
J. F. FARNSWORTH \ Reconstruction Committee.
H. E. PAINE. J
Relay .House, Maryland, June 30, 1868.
To Oeneral John A. Rawlins :
Instruct General Buchanan that tbe Government of Louisiana is
provisional, and the Lieutenant Governor is bound by the decision of
the District Commander, right or wrong, whilst it remains so.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT,
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
Washington, D. C, July 9, 1868.
Major General George 6. Meade, Commanding Third Military District:
In answer to dispatch of the 6th instant, the following has been re
ceived from General Grant : St. Louis, Mo., July 8, 1868.
To John A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff :
No person unable to hold office under the 14th Article of the Con
stitutional Amendment, should be allowed to qualify. District Com
manders are the Judges of the qualifications of civil officers, until all

37
the requirements of the different Acts of Congress to complete Recon
struction of the seceded States, are fully complied with.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, Oeneral.
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy:
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

Washington, D. C, July 11, 1868.
Major General Oeorge 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
The Secretary of War desires to know whether you can spare a
Regiment of Infantry from your command.
(Signed) EDMUND SCHEIVER, Inspector General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT.
Atlasta, Georgia, July 11, 1868.
Mdmund Schriver, Inspector Oeneral, War Department :
I would not recommend any reduction of the force in this District
at the present moment. When Alabama and Georgia are admitted,
and their civil governments peacefully inaugurated, there will be no
objection tathe withdrawal of a regiment of Infantry.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral.
A true copy:
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjtctani Oeneral.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georoia, July 16, 1868.
General Rawlins, Chief of Staff:
I am officially advised by the Commanding Officer, Sub-District of
Alabama, that the Legislature which convened on the 13th instant,
adopted on that day the Fourteenth Article Constitutional Amend
ment, and otherwise complied with the requisitions of the Act of
June 25, 1868 ; and that on the 14th, the Governor elect was duly in
augurated and installed in office. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

HEADQUAETEES THIED MILITARY DISTEICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 18, 1868.
Oeneral TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
On the 8th instant, having been officially notified by tbe Provisional
Governor of Georgia that both Houses of the Legislature had reported
to him they were organized, and ready for any communication from
him, I instructed the Governor to communicate to both Houses that
until compliance was had with the laws of Congress, I considered
them as provisional, and subject to my control, and that I could not
consider either House legally organized until it had examined into and

38
decided on the eligibility of its members under the Fourteenth Article.
On receipt of this communication, each House appointed a committee
to investigate and report. In the Senate, a majority of the committee
reported all eligible. One member of the minority reportedtwo ineli
gible. Another member of the minority reported nine ineligible.
The Senate, after hearing the report of the committee, and excluding
tbe Senators reported against from voting, endorsed and adopted tbe
report of the majority, declaring none ineligible. This action is to
day transmitted to me by the Provisional Governor, who adopts the
extreme report of the minority, gives his judgment that the action of
the majority of the committee and of the Senate is illegal, and that
the nine members are ineligible; states, however, that he has official
information that certain of these members have had their disability
removed by Congress, and calls on me to overrule the decision of the
Senate, and declare vacant the seats of those members reported against
by one member of the minority, whose disabilities have not been re
moved. I am not disposed to alter the position I have assumed, that
it is the prerogative of each House to judge of the facts and the law in
the cases of members of their Houses. I consider I have perforined
my duty when I called their attention to the law, and required action
to be taken under it. 1 do not feel myself competent to overrule tbe
deliberate action of a legislative body, who report they have conformed
to the rule I laid down for their guidance. If I was the sole and ex
clusive judge of the qualifications of members, I should have exercised
my prerogative before allowing the Houses to organize. I construed
the dispatch of Mr. Wilson to Governor Warmouth, prohibiting any
oath but such as tbe Constitution prescribed, as probibiting any test
in advance of the House having control, and as leaving to each House
the right to decide. My judgment, therefore, is to acquiesce in the
decision of the Senate, and leave to Congress such action as may here
after be deemed proper in ca.se the Senate has failed to comply with
the law. To adopt the course proposed by the Provisional Governor,
and overrule the action of the Senate, will bring me in immediate con
flict with the Legislature, and produce results which, in my judgment,
will be worse than allowing a few doubtful members to retain seats
under the vote of their own body. It is proper I should add, that
tbere appears at present no doubt but that the Congres.sional acts will
be complied with, even if members whose seats are questioned areleft
undisturbed. So far as I can ascertain, the trouble is a personal one,
arising out of the contest for United States Senatorship. I should also
add that the Senate, whose action is reported, has a decided Republi
can majority, and could have purged itself of such members as are
clearly ineligible. What I desire to know is whether, in your judg
ment, my duty requires me to overrule the deliberate act of the Se
nate, and judge for myself on the qualifications of members. I have
no doubt of my power in the premises, but do not feel that I am
called on to do more than I have done.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major GeneraL
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

39
Washington, D. C, July 20, 1868.
Major General Oeorge 0. Meade:
Your dispatch has been received, and forwarded to General Grant
for instructions. (Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, July 20, 1868.
Mt^or Oeneral George 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
General Grant is now at Denver. Answer will probably reach you
day after to-morrow. I have no doubt he will agree with you.
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutani General.
Washington, D. C, July 23, 1868.
Major General Oeorge 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
The following dispatch just received :
Denver, Colorado, July 21, 1868.
To John A. Baiolins :
Major General Meade's dispatch just received. His conclusions are
approved. (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjidant General

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTEICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 21, 18c8.
Oeneral TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C:
Both Houses of the Legislature of Georgia having examined into
and decided upon tbe qualifications of their respective members under
the 14th Article Constitutional Amendment, I yesterday instructed
the Provisional Governor to communicate to each House that I con
sidered their organization legal and withdrew any opposition to their
proceeding to the business which called them together. To-day both
Houses, by decided majorities, have passed the Constitutional Amend
ment known as Article 14, and will, without doubt, at once other
wise comply -srith the requisition of the act of June 25, 1868.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 21, 1868.
Brevet Major Oeneral Schriver, War Deparlrnerif, Washington, D. G. .
Civil Government being established in Florida and Alabama, and
the Georgia Legislature having to-day passed the Fourteenth Article

40
Constitutional Amendments, indicating that in a few days this State
will have Civil Government re-established, I am prepared to dispense
with one of the regiments of Infantry in this District, and would
recommend the withdrawal of the 15th Regiment now in Alabama.
Please notify me at the earliest moment that I may make the proper
arrangements for relieving it.
(Signed) GEOEGE G. MEADE,
Major General TJ. S. A.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
Washington, D. C, July 22, 1868.
Major General George 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District :
'The Secretary approves the recommendation in your telegram of
yesterday. The Adjutant General will send instructions by mail.
(Signed) EDMUND SCHRIVER, Inspector Oeneral.
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1868.
Oeneral TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. G.:
Yesterday, the Governor elect of Georgia notified me officially that
both Houses of the General Assembly of Georgia, had by solemn act
complied with the requisitions of tbe Act of Congress, which became
a law .lune 25, 1868; and to-day, I have witnessed tbe inauguration
of the Governor elect. The State of Georgia is therefore under the
Acts of Congress, entitled to representation. The official documents
will be carried to-day by Brevet Brigadier General R. C. Drum, sent
to Washington for tbis purpose. (Signed) GEOEGE G. MEADE,
Major General V. S. A.
A true copy :
R. C; DRUM, Assistanl Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 30, 1868.
General TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D. C. :
The Governor of Georgia advises m,e there is reason to believe tbe
municipal authorities of Augusta are about being resisted by a combi-
naiion made for that purpose. These authorities were the appointees
of my predecessor, and it is probable the resistance anticipated is on
the ground that military authority having ceased, all agents deriving
their power from the military ara fundus officio. The Governor calls
on me to sustain the civil authorities if necessary. Instructions and
advice is requested on the position the military power now occupies.
In my judgment, I have no right to interfere or use the military
forces under my command except where so instructed to do from supe
rior authority, and that the Governor should report to Washington
his inability to preserve order and enforce the law, before any orders
are sent to me. If I am to preserve order in these States and do tbe
police duty of municipalities whenever the civil authorities choose
to call on me, I shall have my hands full, as the facility of having

41
order preserved through the United States forces will act to deter
proper efforts on the part of the civil power. Besides, my force will
be inadequate to do this duty. Not expecting any such duty, 1 con
sented to the withdrawal of the 15th regiment of Infantry, t am not
disposed, and do not desire, to use my command on the judgment Jof
others, or at their dictation. As the Reconstructitm Laws and tbe
powers given me under them no longer exist, 1 must ask explicit and
distinct instructions as to my powers and their proper exercise.
This dispatch can be shown the Secretary of War if General Grant
is not at Headquarters. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General
A true'copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, July 31, 1868.
Major General Oeorge G. Meade, Commanding Viird Military District:
Your telegram to the General Commanding, requesting instructions
and advice on the position the military power occupies in Georgia,
has been submitted to the Secretary of War, and by him laid before
the President and Cabinet.
Your views as to when and how the military forces under your
command may be used, were approved of, and I am instructed by the
Secretary of War to say to you that he will prepare and send to you
instructions for your guidance; also, that should any insurrection or
riot, break out before you receive them, to advise the Governor to
telegraph to the President for the requested authority to use the
troops in quelling the same.
By referring to General Grant's letter to you, dated June 27, 1868,
you will find his opinion ujion the tenure of office of military
appointees, which is against their continuance, unless provided for by
State authority, (Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, As.sisiani Adjutant GeneraL

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia, August 17, 1868.
General Rawlins, Chief of Staff, Washington, D. G. :
When may I expect the instructions of the Secretary of War, re
ferred to by you in your telegram of the thirty-first ultimo. I am
awaiting them to instruct Commanders of Districts, and communicate
with Governors of States. (Signed) OEORGE G MEADE,
Major General U. S. A.
A true copy :
E. C DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral
Dated Washington, D. 0. August 20, 1868.
Received Atlanta, Georgia, August 20, 1868.
To Major Oeneral Oeorge G. Meade, Commanding :
The subject matter of your dispatch is still under consideration.
6

42
The answer however will probably be similar to instructions sent
General Buchanan. (Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

OEFICE united STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH.
[Telegram received at Headquarters Second Military District.]
Charleston, S. C. August 5, 1868.
From Atlanta, Ga., August 5, 1868.
To Major General Meade, Charleston, S. C.
Washington, D. C, August 5, 1868,
The Secretary of War directs that you suspend concentration of
troops under your late order, until he has time to communicate with
you on the subject. (Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
(Signed) S. F. BAESTOW, Assistant Adjutani General
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND MILITARY DISTEICT,
Charleston, South Carolina, August 5, 1868.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. :
I have received a telegram from Adjutant General directing, sus
pension of order concentratin.g troops, until you can communicate with
me. As the suspension of this order will produce much confusion —
indeed, is almost too late — and as it will delay the departure of the
loth Eegiment for Texas, which General Buchanan is urging to be
sent to him, and as I feel confident you will be satisfied with ray rea
sons, I shall delay suspension till a reply is received to this telegram.
My reasons for concentrating the troops, and only occupying such
positions as the public exigencies require, are as follows : Fir.st, econo
my ; Second, to increase the discipline and efficiency of the troops,
which, from their being scattered and divided into small detachments
has become lamentably low; Third, to do away with the number of
subordinate officers, in whose hands the relations between the military
and civil authorities must be left, and who often produce difficulty by
want of judgment, or hasty temper ; Fourth, to let the minor civil
authorities and Bureau Agents know and realize that they are not
to depend on, the military to settle any trifiing difficulty that may
occur ; Fifth, to have the troops in band and ready, in case any emer
gency should occur requiring their employment, that they could be
sent in large force without baying to collect them from a number of
points. I am very well aware that tbis arrangement is distasteful to
the people, who have been depending on the troops for the preserva
tion of order, and to others who wish the Government to scatter the
troops, that money may be distributed. But as you have approved
of my views of the relative position of the civil and military power, I
trust you will approve of my programme for holding the troops in
hand at railroad centers, where they can be promptly used in case of
necessity. In other words, all the arguments are in favor of concen-

43
tration, and t know of none in favor of their being scattered, unless it
is to gratify local influences.
I occupy two points in Alabama — Mobile and Huntsville ; three in
Georgia— Savannah, Atlanta, Dahlonega; six in Florida — Jackson
ville, St. Augustine, Tampa Bay, Key West, Tortugasand Pens.icola.
I should deeply regret my programme being overruled, as I acted on
mature reflection, and to tbe best of my judgment. An early reply is
reciuested (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
I Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral.

OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH.
[Telegram received at Headquarters Second Military District.] ,
Charleston, S. C, August 6, 1868.
Prom Washington, August 6, 1868.
To Major Oeneral Oeorge 0. Meade, Commanding Dqyartment of the South:
Your cipher telegram of August 5, is received. The Secretary of
War will be back from short absence to-morrow.
(Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND MILITARY DISTRICT,
Charleston, S. C, August 6, 1868.
Brevet Major General Rawlins, Washington, D. C. :
Please get from Adjutant General and forward to General Grant,
my telegram of yesterday to Secretary of War, giving reasons for
concentration of troops. It was not with any intention of not an
swering any proper calls made on me by the constituted civil author
ities — though I am of the opinion that said calls should be made
through the authorities at Washington — on tbe contrary, my disposi
tion of troops was made with a view of promptly acting by masses,
if action was required. I did not station any at Montgomery, because
the place is unhealthy, and I thought it better to remove the troops
from the centre of political agitation ; but I have four companies at
Mobile and eight at Atlanta th^t can be sent to Montgomery in less
than a day. It is now too late to change, without great confusion,
existing orders, and I trust the General-in-Chief has that confidence
in my judgment, that when he is apprised of my reasons, and himself
examines the disposition of the troops, that he will refrain from over
ruling me. If, however, he is still of the opinion that four compa
nies should be at Montgomery, they can be sent from the troops now
in this command, the late Second District. I would state there never
has been over three companies at Montgomery, and that I do not
know of a single reason for troops being at Montgomery, than, any
other town in the State. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL

44
OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH.
[Cipher telegram received at Headquarters Second Military District.]
Charleston, S. C. , August 6, 1868.
[Prom War Department, Washington, August 6, 1868.]
To Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Department of the
South :
The following dispatch is transmitted for your guidance :
St. Louis, Mo., August 5, 1863.
To Major General John A. Rawlins, Cliief of Staff:
Direct Major General Meade' to leave troops as now stationed in
Alabama, if they have not been already concentrated. If they have
been sent to Huntsville, direct that at least four Companies be sta
tioned at the State Capital of Alabama, and the rest held in reserve to
answer calls, should they be made by the Governor of the State.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
(Signed) JOHN A RAWLINS, Chief of Siaff,
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia, August 8, 1868.
Colonel Sprague Commanding District of Florida, St. Augustine, Fta. .-
Your course in receiving and confining criminals against the laws
of the State of Florida, on the urgent application of the Governor, is
disapproved ; and you are hereby notified that there is no authority
vested in you, as District Commander, to grant or deny any applica
tion of the Governor ; but the same should be referred to those Head
quarters. You will require the Governor to call upon the Legisla
ture — whose duty it is to provide for tbe safe-keeping of criminals —
to take the necessary steps to have this dut}- discharged ; and you will
abstain from assuming any further responsibility in such matters,
without specific instructions from these Headquarters. However la
mentable may be the state of affairs as reported, you have no power
to remedy it. If the Governor is unable to enforce law and order in
the State, he should so report to the President, when orders will be
given for the military power to intervene.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General TJ. S. A., Commanding.
A true copy :
. E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
St. Augustine, Fla., August 8, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Department of the
South : .
Your telegram of to-day is received, and will be rigidly enforced.
I have called upon Governor Reed to take charge of the prisoners at
once. (Signed) JOHN T. SPRAGUE.
Colonel, Commanding,
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General

45
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia, August 10, 1868.
Brevet Major General E. D. Townsend, War Department, Washington:
I propose to concentrate the troops in North and South Carolina in
the same manner us 1 have done in the States composing the late
Third Military District. In North Carolina, I propose to concentrate
the 40th Infantry at Goldsboro', the squadron of the 5th Cavalry at
Raleigh, and to occupy Forts Johnson and Macon each with a Com
pany of the 5th Artillery. In South Carolina,! design concentrating
the 8th Infantry at Columbia, the six Companies of the Btb Infantry
at Charleston, and to order the squadron of the 5lh Cavalry now at
Aiken, and the Light Battery now at Columbia, to this place, to form
a reserve for the whole Department. The four Companies of the 12th
Infantry I propose to send to Savannah, so that I can concentrate at
this point the 33d Regiment of Infantry.
I desire these proposed movements may be laid before the General-
in-Chief and Secretary of War, and their approval or disapproval
transmitted at the earliest moment. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General

Washington, D. C, August 11, 1868.
To Major General George G. Meade, U. S. A. .-
Your dispatch of the tenth received, and disposition of troops ap-
pioved, with qualification in my dispatch to you, at Charleston, dated
sixth instant, as follows: — Two (2) companies will answer at Mont
gomery, that being capitol of the State. In view of force j'ou design
for Atlanta, they can be taken from any point yoa deem best.
By Command of General Grant.
(Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assisiant Adjutant GeneraL
A true copy :
E. C. DB,T^M., Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

Washington, D. C, August 20, 1868.
To Major General 0. 0. Meade, Gompnanding Department of the South:
Tbe following telegram, which has been received by the Secretary
of War, is referred to you for such action as j'ou may-deem necessar.y :
Montgomery, Ala., August 20, 1868.
Eonorable J. M. Schofield, Secretary of War :
It is understood that a Company of the 33d United States Infantry
is at Selma under marching orders. I hope the Company will be per
mitted to remain tbere for the present. 1 think their presence there
indispensable to the preservation of peace.
^ WILLIAM H. SMIIH,
Governor of Alabctma.
By order of the Secretary of War :
(Signed) J. C. KELTON, AssisiarU Adjutant Oeneral.
A true copy : , , ,
E. O. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant eneral.

46
Atlanta, Georgia, August 20, 1868.
Adjutani General, Washington, D. C. :
Dispatch in reference to troops at Selma, Alabama, received.^ Has
been leferred to Brevet Brigadier General Euger, Commanding in
that State, and as soon as his report is received, the Department will
be notified of action, if any is taken.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
A true copy : Major Oeneral.
R. C. DRUM, Assisiant Adjutant General.
Atlanta, Georgia, August 20, 1868
Brevet Brigadier General Ruger, Suntsville, Alabama :
Governor of Alabama telegraphs Secretary of War, that the pres
ence of a company of troops at Selma, is indispensable to the preser
vation of the peace. Please communicate with the Governor and
ascertain the ground on which such opinion is predicated? whether
general, and as applies to all towns in Alabama, where there is a large
proportion of negroes, or whether there are any local causes, render
ing it likely that such contingencies, as justify the intervention of
United States troops, will immediately occur. Communicate with
commanding officer at Selma, for report on condition of affairs. In
other words report in full, to enable^e to decide whether any modi
fication of existing orders, based on principles communicated to you,
is required at Selma. Also report why this company is so long in
obeying the order of concentration, issued several weeks since.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani General.

Huntsville, Ala. , August 21 , 1868.
To Major Oeneral George G. Meade, Commanding Department of the
South :
Telegram of 20th received to-day. The following received from
Governor Smith in reply to mine :
" Application as to Company at Selma is based on application of
good citizens of that City. They fear disturbance if the Company is
removed, and think its mere presence will secure tranquility."
This application is in reference to that Company only, and for the
reason here given. Company from Selma will be here to-day. Will
send full report by mail. No emergency at Selma, I think.
(Signed; THOMAS H EUGEE,
Col 33d Infantry, Bvt Brig. General, Commanding District of Alabama.
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral
HEADQUAETEES DEPARTMENT OF ^HB SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia, August 21, 1868.
Breoei Major General Ra.wlins, Washington, D. C. :
Can you send me by telegraph, an official copy of instructions to
General Buchanan 7 (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE
A true copy : Major General
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant OeAerdl.

47 WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. i\, August 22, 1868.
Major Oeneral Oeorge G. Meade, Commanding Department of the South,
Atlanta, Georgia.
The following instructions were sent to General Buchanan :
HEADQUARTERS OF THE AKMY,
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, D. C. , August 10, 1868.
Brevet Major Oeneral Robert C. Buchanan, V. S. Army, Commanding
Department of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Oeneral: The following instructions from the Secretary of War are
furnished for your government, to the end that the necessary aid may
bo rendered by tbe United States as promptly as possible in any case
of insurrection or domestic violence in the Suites embraced in your
Military Department. You will keep yourself informed of the con
dition of afl'airs in said States, and communicate promptly by tele
graph to the War Department, through the Headquarters of the Ar
my, any facts which may make it the duty of the President, under
the Constitution and laws, to employ the military force of the D ni-
ted States.
You will also maintain such disposition of tbe troops under your
command, that they may be ready to act without delay upon receipt
of the President's orders. Stationing tbeni at, or frum time to time
moving them to points, where you may have reason to appreliend a
necessity fur their use.
The following extracts from the Coiislitution and Laws of the Uni
ted Stales, indicate the condition under which the military forces of
the Uniti'd Slates may be lawfully employed to suppress insurrection
against the Government of any Stale : —
Article i. Section i, of the Constitution — "The United States shall
guarantee to every Slate in this Union a Rejiublienii form of Govern
ment, and shall protect each of them at;-ainst inva.sion, and on apj)li-
cation of the Legislature or of the Executive, when the Legislature
cannot be convened, against domestic violence."
Act of Congress, approved February 28, 1 795, Section *-»*-»
"And in case of an insurrection in any State agaiust the govern
ment thereof, it shall be lawful for the President of tbe United States
on application of tbe Legislature of such State or of the Executive,
when the Legislature cannot be convened, lo call forth such a num
ber of the militia of any other State or States, as may be applied for,
as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection. And
Section three (3) provided always aiid be it further enacted, that
whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of tbe President to
use the military force hereby directed to bo called forth, tbe Presi
dent shall forthwith by proclamation command such insurgents to
disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within a limi
ted time.''
Act of Congress approved March 3, 1807: Be it enacted, &c.,
that in all cases of insurrection or obstruction to the laws, either of
the United States or of any individual State or Territofy, where it is
lawful for the President of the United Stales to cill forth the Mili
tia for the purpose of suppressing such insurrection, or of causing the
laws to be duly executed, it shall be lawful for him to employ for the
same purposes such part of the land or naval forces of the United

48
States as shall be judged necessary, having first observed all the pre
requisites of the law in that respect.
By COMMAND OP General U- S. Grant '.
(Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General,
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral
Bordentown, N. J., September 14, 1868.
Oeneral R. C. Drum, Atlanta, Georgia:
Advise Governor of North Carolina that I shall not change tbe
disposition of troops for the purposes indicated in his telegram. If
any actual resistance to law, which he cannot suppress, occurs, I will
promptly send the troops, but until overt acts occur, I shall keep
them ready for emergencies in any part of the State. The civil au
thorities must attempt, at least, to preserve tbe peace. Send copy of
telegram to General Miles. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy:
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Atlanta, Georgia, September 22, 1868.
To Major General George G. Meade, U. S. A , :
Reports relative to difficulty at Camilla, Georgia, are so exaggera
ted that it is difficult to get at the truth. General Sibley promises to
send me report of investigation as soon as received. All accounts
agree that it was commenced by white men. Will I continue to send
papers to you. (Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutani Oeneral,
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

Atlanta, Georgia, September 22, 1868.
To Major Oeneral Oeorge 0. Meade, TJ. S. A. :
Lieutenant O. H. Howard, Agent Freedmen's Bureau, has just re
ported, under date of September twentieth, giving full account of the
affair at Camilla, Georgia. He states that unless vigorous measures
are instituted and troops stationed there for protection of all parties,
tbere will be much bloodshed. He says be cannot restrain the people.
(Signed) R, C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral.
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistanl Adjutant Oeneral.
Philadelphia, September 22, 1868.
Oeneral R, C. Drum i
My knowledge of Lieutenant Howard does not induce much im
portance to his report, and I am not aware of any authority he has to
restrain any one, he being, as I understand, an agent of the Freed-
man's Bureau. I am not disposed to send troops until there is satia-

^9
factory evidence of the inability of the civil authorities to suppress
any disorder, and until the proper call is made by tbe Governor of
the State. Captain Mills is an officer in whoso judgment I should
place great reliance. He should be instructed to inquire into the con
duct and capacity of the civil authorities, and to report whether they
have done their duty ; keep me advised promptly by telegraph, and
direct_ General Sibley to have troops ready to send, "in case 1 should
deem it proper to send them. A telegram will reach me at the War
Department to-morrow. (Signed) GEOEGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General

Philadelahia, September 22, 1868.
Oeneral R. C. Drum, Atlanta, Georgia:
Send an officer to inquire into and report all the facts connected
with the riot said, in this morning's telegram, to have occurred yes
terday at Camilla, in Southwest Georgia, unless you have already re
liable information on tbe subject. Eeply to-day to this place; to
morrow to Washington. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major GeneraL
A true copy :
E. C. DEUM, Assistanl Adjutant General.

Atlanta, Georgia, September 23, 1868,
Major Oeneral Oeorge 0. Meade, (care of War Department):
Your two telegrams reached me last night. Your wish relative to
detail of Captain Mills, had been anticipated, as my telegram of yes
terday will have informed you. Both Houses of the State Legislature
have passed resolutions that the presence of troops is not necessary,
and that the civil authorities are competent to take care of matters.
General Sibley has been instructed a? you direct.
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral
A true copy:
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Washington, D. C, September 23, 1868.
General Drum, Atlanta, Georgia :
Call by telegraph on commanders of Districts to submit a project
for tbe distribution of their commands, within the limits of their Dis
tricts for the purpose of preserving order during the approaching
Presidential election, and the political campaign preceding the same.
The posts should not be less than a company, and so distributed as to
enable detachments to be made to places in the vicinity, if necessary.
The troops to be prepared to go into camp, if quarters cannot be tem
porarily hired. The movement in regard to supplies and quarters, to
be considered as that of a moveable column— the troops being held
ready at any moment to move from point to point as may be nec

essary. 5

50
Let this call be answered in writing, and direct District comman
ders to confer with Governors of States
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral TJ. S. A.
A true copy :
R. 0. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
Atlanta, Georgia, Sept. 30, 1868.
Sonorable Secretary of War, Washington, D. C:
Morning's telegrams announce you are to give to-day, to the Ala
bama delegation, a letter of instructions addressed to me. If this is
so — and 1 shall be glad to bear it is — I beg you will .send me a copy
by telegraph, as it Will aid me in the order I am preparing, distribut
ing the troops Every thing is quiet in the Department, the Camilla
affair having only resulted in a little political riot. I am awaiting the
report of investigating officer to transmit the same.
. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral
War Department, September 30, 1868.
[Received at Atlanta, Georgia, September 30, 1868]
To Major Oeneral George G. Meade, Commanding Department of the
South :
The instructions sent you to-day, consist of a reference of the Ala
bama memorial to you, for your action, under the instructions here
tofore given ; and with the Presidents wish that you exercise within
the limits of lawful authority, full discretion and preserve the peace.
(Signed) J. M. SCHOFIELD, Secretary of War.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Columbia, S. C, October 3, 1868.
Received at Atlanta, Georgia, October 3, 1868.
Major Oeneral George G. Meade, Commanding:
Since writing affairs are greatly aggravated. Several wanton mur
ders have been committed. A Slate Senator, on his way home, was
met by a mob at Chester last night, who threatened his life if be at
tempted to proceed, and he was compelled to return. Armed men
patrol the roads. The civil authorities are powerless to enforce tbe
laws. Instructions to General Bomford are necessary for the main
tenance of the supremacy of the State government.
(Signed) R. K. SCOTT, Governor.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Atlanta, Georgia, October 3, 1868.
R. K. Scott, Governor, Columbia, South Carolina:
Colonel Bomford under date of September 15, was furnished with
the instructions received by me from the War Department. I have
no authority to employ the troops except under the conditions speci-

51
fied in the letter from tbe War Department, dated August ,25, a copy
of which will be sent by mail, and which you can see by asking Colo
nel Bomfoid, SI it was sent to him on the 15lh instant. I shall in a
few days issue an order distributing, till after the election, the troops
under Colonel Bomford's command — but they will not be able to act,
except under the prescribed conditions given and When duly called on
in the mode indicated in the instructions.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani General.

Atlanta, Georgia, October 6, 1868.
General Grant, Washington, D. C. :
I forward an outline of an order to be at once issued, on which I
desire the comments of yourself, Secretary of War and the President.
I am of opinion the moral effect of this order, and the distribution of
troops will tend greatly to allay existing excitements, and to remove
some existing delusions. In connection with this measure, it would
have a very beneficial effect, if a movement could be made — say of
one or two companies to each of the following places : — Raleigh, Co
lumbia, Atlanta and Montgomery, to act as reserves until after the
election. Tbe mere arrival and passage through the country will
have a great effect, as indicating the determination of the authorities
at Wasbington to sustain me. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General.

The following, is an extract of the order referred to ;
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta Georgia, Oetober 8, 1868.
genebal orders 1
V (Extract)
No. 27. )
Whereas, by an act of Congress of the L^nited States, approved
March 2d, 1865, it is made the duty of the military authority to pre
serve the peace at the polls at any election that may be held in any of
the States ; and Whereas, this duty has become the more imperative,
from the existing political excitement in the public mind, from tbe
recent organization of civil government, and from the fact that Con
gress has by statute prohibited the organization of military forces in
the several States of this Department, it is therefore ordered,
» • ? *
VIII. District commanders will instruct post commanders in their
duties, and the relative position of the civil and military powers.
They will furnish them with copies of the circulars from these Head
quarters, of August 25, and October 1st ult, (the latter of which was
forwarded September 15, to District Commanders,) in which the in
structions of the War Department are set forth in full. They will
impress on post commanders that they are to act in aid and co-opera
tion, and in subordination to the civil authorities ; that they are to
exercise discretion and judgment, unbiased by political or other pre
judices; that their object should be exclusively to preserve the peace

52
and uphold law and older, and they must be satisfied such is the ob
ject of the civil officer calling on them for aid, that thjy must in all
cases where time will permit, apply for instruction to superior author
ity, but they must at all hazards preserve the peace, and not be re
strained by technical points, when, in their conscientious judgment
under the rules above set forth, it is their duly to act. Post Com
manders on being notified of the proposed holding of political meet
ings, may send an officer, and if necessary a detachment, to watch the
proceedings and see that the peace is preserved.
IX. To the people of the several States composing the Department,
the Major General commanding appeals that they will co-operate with
him and the civil authorities in sustaining law and order, in preser
ving the peace and in avoiding those scones of riot and bloodshed,
and the wanton destruction of property and life, which has already,
in some instances, been enacted in the Department. He urges absti
nence from all infiammatory and incendiary appeals to the passions;
discountenancing the keeping open of liquor shops on days of political
meetings and of election ; the abstaining from carrying arms, and as
serting the individual right of construing laws by force of arms. No
just cause is ever advanced b}' resort to violence. Let there be chari
ty and forbearance among political opponents, whatever may be the
result; let each good citizen determine, that all who, under the law,
have the right to the ballot, shall exercise it undisturbed. If there are
disputed points of law, let them be referred to the courts, and let not
mobs or political clubs, or other irresponsible bodies, construe and
undertake to execute the law. This appeal is made in the earnest
hope that the Major General Commanding can rely on the good sense
and correct judgment of the mass of tbe people, and that he will not
be compelled to resort to the exercise of the power with which he is
intrusted, and which ho will most reluctantly employ. But he thinks
it bis duty to make known, that so far as the power under bis com
mand will admit, he will not permit the peace to be broken, and that
he will not be restrained in the conscientious discharge of bis duty by
technicalities of laws made when the present anomalous condition of
affairs were neither anticipated or provided for.
By order of Major General Meade :
E. C. DRUM,
A true copy: Assistant Adjutant General.
R, C, DRUM, Assisiant Adjutant General.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, October 8, 1868.
Received Atlanta, Georgia, October 8, 1868.
To Major General Meade^ Commanding Miiiiary Department of the
South :
Your dispatch of October 6, has been submitted to the General of
the Army, the Secretary of War and to the President of the United
States. The General approves your proposed order. The President
and Secretary of War do not deem it necessary to add any thing to
the instructions heretofore given you, believing those instructions
ample for your government. (Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND,
A true copy : Assistant Adjutant General.
E, C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General,

OF CHIEFS OF STAFF DEPARTMENTS ON DUTY AT HEAD
QUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT AND DEPART
MENT OF THE SOUTH.

Statement showing tbe amount of labor done at Headquarters,
Third Military District and Department of the South, from January
1, 1868, to November 1, 1868, not including papers specially relating
to Registration, elections, appointment to office, &c., pertaining
to Civil Bureau :
Number of letters received  5,432
Number of miscellaneous papers (Inspection reports of proper
ty, certificates of disability, furloughs, &c. ,) received and
acted upon  2,026
Number of letters sent  1,883
Number of endorsements  6,084
Number of General Orders issued  ,  140
Number of Special Orders issued  239
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
OvFicE OF Judge Advocate,
Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 1, 1868.
Brevet Brigadier Oeneral R. C. Drum, V. S. Army, Assistant Adjutant
General, Department of the South.
General: — I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the
number of cases tried in the Third Military District from January 1,
1868, to July 81, 1868, and in the Department of the South from Au
gust 1, 1868, to October 81, 1868.
The nine cases reported as "trial commenced but not completed"
were the nine prisoners charged with the murder of G. W. Ashburn,

54
whose trial was commenced on the 29th of June, 1868, but was sus
pended July 21, 1868, after the prosecution and a portion of the de
fence were completed, owing to " theprobable immediate admission of
the State of Georgia, and consequent cesss^tion of military authority,"
and the prisoners were turned over to the civil authorities. (See
General Orders No. 12, current series, Headquarters Department of
the South.)
The two cases tried by Military Commission, "awaiting the action
of the President," are those of Henry Moj-att, Private Company B,
16th Infantry, and David Cameron, Private Company C, 5th Cavalry,
charged with murder. The first of these cases was forwarded July 18,
1868, and the latter July 20, 1868.
The only prisoner tried by a Military Commission in the Third
Military District, now undergoing punishment, is William J. Bran-
nen, found guilty of "voluntary manslaughter," (General Orders No.
95, Headquarters Third Military District, series 1868,) who was, how
ever, sent to the Penitentiary of the State of Georgia, and, on tbe cessa
tion of military authority, was turned over to the State authorities.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) WM. H. SMYTH,
Capt. \Qih Infantry, Bvt, Maj. U. S. A., Acting Judge Advocate.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

SepoH of the number of cases tried in the Third Military District from January Isf, 1868, to July Slsf, 1868,
and in the Department of the South from August Isf, 1868, to- October 31st, 1868.

Third Military District,

Department of tlie South,

QraDd Aggregate,

BV MILITAKY COMMISSION,

No. (JONVICTBD.

~ E
= S

32

BY GENERAL COUBT.VI ARTIAL.

Ofpickrb.

ENLfRTRD Men.

ForDoscrt'n

Otii'r olf,*ii'3

141

18

ilo

~S

427

715

Or

879

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
JUDQK advocate's OFFICK,
Atianta, Geoegia, November 1st, 1868.

A true copy :
R. O, DRUM, Assistant Adjuia7ii Oeneral.

(Signed) WM. H. SMYTH,
Capt leth Inft Bv'i Major U. S. A.,
Acting Judge Advocate.

56
statement of Receipts and .Expenditures under the Recon
struction Acts, in the Third Military District, from May 21,
1867, to JSTovember 5, 1868.

RECEIPTS.

Amount cash received to Dec. 31, 1867, as follows :
Doll's.
C.
Doll's.
C.
1867.
May 21
Received from U. S. Treasurer, , -
97.222
22
Aug. 30
Received from U. S. Treiisurer, -
Total received to December 31, ISGST,
78,114
79
175,337
01
EXPENSES.
1807.
Dec. 31
Amount expended to date as follows:
I'liv 1)1' civil omployees,
120..390
69
Mileiigo and transportation.
19.262 30
Srationery and printing,
24 663 '99
Posrage and telegrapliiug,
3,678 17
Office rent and furniture,
2.125 73
Horses ami oquipiueut^,
1,624,40
Wa^ion and harness,
460
85
Foragi',
101
77
Fuel and light, - - -
Total expenses to December 31, 1867,
Bilance on ha nd .January 1, 1868,
68
45
172,256
37
3.(180
64
Receipts and Expenditures from January 1, 1868, to Novem,-
ber 5, 1868.
RECEIPTS.
Doll's.
C. Doll's.
C.
1868.
.Tan . I
Balance cash on hand.
3,080
64
March 1
Received from U S. Treasurer,
97,000
April 10
R"Ceived fir sale of property,
689
May!
Received of D. G. Curtis on account fine imposed by
Military Commission, - - - .
300
June 16
Received from U. S. Treasurer,
87,701
5,6
July 16
Received ou account sale of property,
20
Sept. 9
Received on account sale of property.
Total receipts, . - ,
63
74
186,674
29
188,764
93
EXPEKSBS.
Pav of civil employees.
104,072
12
Trausportarion and mileage,
17,085
51
Stationery and printing,
6.572
Postage and telegraphing,
3,659
28
Olflce rent and furniture,
3.141
.¦17
Fuel and light,
224
12
Forage.
634
73
Wagon harnes", &c.,
122
08
Military commi.fsiiin,
14.180
Piinting press and material.
1,176
^9.
Miscellaneous, . . , -
154
•M
Beveuue tax to credit of U. S., - - -
Total expended, ....
B ilance Not. 6th,
300
34
161,322
58
1868.
37,432
35
Nov. 5
Balance ou hand transf'd to Maj. J. W. Nicholls,

37,432
35
57
RECA PIT VLA TION.

1868.
Nov. 5

Total amount received from May 21, 1807, to Decem-
I.er31,1867, - ...
Total amount received from January I, 1868, to No
vember 5, 1868, ...
Total receipts,
Total amount expended from May 21, 1867, to Decem
ber 81, 1867,
Total amount expended from January 1, 1808, to Nc-
vember 5, 186S,
Total expended,
Balance on hand transferred to Moj. J. W. Nicholls,

Doll's.

C.

Doll's.

175,337

01

186,674

29

301,011
172,256
37
161 322
58
323 578
37.432
(Signed) E. D. JUDD,
Paymaster U. S. A.,
Disbursing Officer Civil Fund.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
The reports of the Chief Quartermaster, Chief Commis
sary and Medical Director, relating to the mere routine of their
departments, are om.itted.
8
APPEIVDIX.

The foregoing comprises the documents accompanying
Major Genei-al Meade's annual report to the General-in-Chief ;
but that his position on questions arising during his adminis
tration, referred to incidentaUy in his report, may be more
fully understood, the following documents and orders are
published for the information of the reader.

IThe question as to the eligibility of certain persons proposed
as candidates for Governor of the State of Georgia, having been
submitted to Major Oeneral Meade, tlie following letter was
addressed by him to the Oeneral-iri- Chief of the Army on that
subject .•]
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
(_Department of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.)
ATLANTA, Georgia. April 16, 1868.
General TJ. 8. Grant, Commanding TJ. 8. Army, Washington, D. iC.
General :— The (jeorgia Convention, in its ordinance requiring the
election of Federiil and State officers on the same days as the election for
ratific:ition. provided as follows :
".\nd M:i.inr General Moade i« respectfully requested to give the neccs-
s.'iry orders' to ciirr.v into effect l lie foregoing provisions, and cause due
retiinii* to be miide, and certijicatea of election to issue by the proper
officer-." This duty ot issuing certificates of election w.as one I should never vol
untarily have a.s.sumed ; but, unfortunately, my attention vcas not culled
to it till after the adjournment of the Convention, too late to have the
ordinance modified, and have the returns sent either to the President of
the Convention, as w.as the case in Ahibama, or to a Board of Canvassers,
tis is provided in the ordinance of the Florida Convention. The objection
to discharging this duty is that it impose, on me the necessity of enquir
ing into the qualifications and cli,:ibility of thosc otBcers, who are not
members of bodies competent themselves to adjust such questions, as, for
instance, the Governor. On the third instant, a letter was handed to me
by a committee of gentlemen, asking of me an expression of opinion on a
given statement of facts, as to tlie eligibility of the Hon, P. Irwin, as a
candidate for Governor, to which letter I replied, giving my opinion, and
stating that if a person, with such a status, were elected, I should not
feel my.seir authorized to permit him to take office. I considered that, in
view of the duly imposed on me by the Convention, it w.as due to the
voters of the State, if I had settled opinions and would be gnverned by
them, that I ought not to decline making them public in advance of being
required to act, though I now regret 1 did not assume this po.sltion and
decline. A copy of my letter in reply, and of the one of inquiry In the case of
Judge Irwin, are herewith transmitted.
The consequence of this letter was, the withdrawal of Judge Irwin,
and the putting in nomination, by another party, of General Gordon,
whose fi-iends likewise addressed me a letter, enquiring as to his qualifi
cations under the lu-ts of Congress. Finding General Gordon had never
held office before tbe rebellion, had never taken an oath to support the
Constitution before entering the military, service of the Confederate
States, I concluded that he was not excluded by the 14th Article Consti-

61
tntional Amendment, which, in my judgment then, and now, was the
test of which qualifications foroltlcp holders was to he tested.
Correspondence in the case of General (lordon likesvlse transmitted.
Finding the publicity of the fart that I had to issue ccrtiticntes of elec
tion and to decide on the elisrlbility of candidates, was involving me iu
letters from almo-t every eamlidatp, I thought proper to issue an order,
copy herewith transmitted, announi'ing the points of the Keconstruction
acts betiring ou the qualification for office, and staling vvhatotHces would
be voted for. In preparing this order,! advised with the Acting Jiiilge
Advocate General of the Army, on duty at these flea<lquarter-, whose
clear judgment on such points has been of great assistance to nie and on
which I have principally depended since being here. Since the nomina-
tion of General Gordon, his eligihility under the Recoiistruetionlaws has
been impeached on the ground that, until the State is admitted to repre
sentation, all government is only provisional, and that no one can he
elected or appointed to office under any provisional government unless
they can take the test oath.
This point Is very ingeniously argued by one opposed politically to
General Gordon, as will be seen by reference to the eiulosed extract from
a paper published here. It this point is fairly raised, my opinion of
April 4, and subsequent order, are both wrong; hut I am not di-Sposed
to acquiesce in its correctness, and for the following reasons:—
First, I am of the opinion, from a careful perusal of the several Eeeon-
struition acts, that the ollicers elected under the Consiitutions framed in
accordance with these acts, were not considered, or intended to be con
sidered, .as provisional governments, within the nie.ming of this term as
used in section 9 of the act of March 2, 1SIJ7; nor are they to be considered
"as elected under any so-called Sstate authority," as referred to in .section
9, act of July 19, ISBT.
They are elected to office under the authority of the Reeonstrnetion
acts themselves, and are not entitled to hold office until all the steps re
quired by said acts are fully complied with, and the only qiialitjeation
for holding office, is the qualification required by the 14th A rliele Con
stitutional Amendment. This has heeii my opinion since first taking
command, and so fully impressed was I with it, that prior to the Ala
bama election. I urged the postponement of the election cf State and
County officers, until after the adoption of the Constitution by Congress,
on the ground that, until the State was re.' tored to its proper relations,
these offices had no existence, and did not require to be filled by eh cfoi.
It is true those elected could be appointed by me, as officers of a Pro
visional Government, or as in the case of Alabama, where the Constitu
tion failed of ratification, they could be legislated into office, as it is now
proposed to do by bill in Congress; and this bill is, in my judgment, a
vindii'ation of the position I herein assume that the governm^ nts elected
under the Con-stitutions submitted to Cnnsrress-s.aid Con-titutions are
adopted and said governments go into operation are not Provisionld. nor
do they emanate from any so-called State authority, because this bill in
le<nslating Into office the persons elected, when the Constitution failed of

62
ratification, distinctly declares they are to ho considered a Provisional
Government and that the Ucconstnietion Laws are to continue in force
until certain steps are taken. Now if all governments are Provisional
till llie States is represented, there was no occasion for reiterating this
provision; the reiteration confirms me in the opinion it was made, be
cause Con.uress designed the governmi'nts created by their acts to he con
sidered permanent, and here being an exception, viz : a government cre
ated by Congress, but not in accordani:e with the llcconstrnction Acts,
Congi-e.ss does what it did not do before— makes it provisional govorninen
and sul jectto the aiitbiirity of tbe Di-trict Commander, Hence,I conclude
that the offiei rs to l)e elected in Georgia under the new Constitution if
they ai-f not put into office before the adoption of the Constitution by
Congress and the ailnption by the State of thel4lh Article, are not officers
elected under any so-called State authority, and not therefore required to
take tbe oath i)rescribed iu See. 9, Aet July 19, IBUT.
Now as the members of the Legislature will be called together either
by myself or by the Provisional Governor, in order to adopt the 14th
Article, this pri'liniinary step may be oonsidered iis under a Provisional
Government and Ihe power of the members be considered as derived from
my atithoriiy, and therefDi-e by See. 9, Jidy 19. 1S67, these members
may be required before they can complete this preliminary step to the
ndinision of tbe State fo take the oath prescribed in said section for
appointees nf the District Commander. In view of this contingency and
in order to set myself rifilit on ihe record, I issued Order So. 61, copy of
which is herewith transmitted. Having thus given my reasons for the
opinion as set forth, 1 desire fo add Secondly, that this opinion has
already been s\ilimitted to you and ray views confirmed. You will re
member thiit the ordinance (if the Convention in Florida prescribed that
the election for Stale and county officers should be held on the same day
as the constitution was submitted to the people, and this Constitution
enfranchised every citizen. This being before the recent act of Congress
authorizing these Elections to be held in advance of the adoption of the
Constitution, I was in doubt as to the proper action to be pursued. If
the po.sition maintained by the writer in the New Era is correct that the
government elected under thenew Constitution .and in pursuance of the
Reconstruction Act is a Provisional Government, then none but register
ed voters I'ould vote for the offices, hence I telegraphed you as follows on
February 29, IS.H:
Oeneral U. S. Grant., Washington, D. C:
***** Is this election of officers under the Con
stitution and only lo take office on the adoption of the Constitution to be
considered as an election for officers under the Provisional Government
referred tn in Sec. 6, of Aet of .March 2d. 1H67, and are non-registered
voters e.Keluded by this section at first election held under the new Con
stitution ?
To which I received your reply under date of March 2. 1868:
••The election proposed by the Convention for officers under the new
Constitution, I dn not consider as an election for officers under the Pro
visional Government refered to iu Sec. 6, of Act ot March 2, 1S6T "
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, Oeneral,

63
Subsequently, Congress sustained us in our opinion bv framing a bill
authorising elections in advance (if adoption of Constitution and as pre
vious laws had defined the qualitieatioiis for voters, Congre-s to prohibit
the exclusion of registered voters prescribes that at these elections regis.
tered voters may vote— Congress again doin:? an aet inconsistent \\"ith
the theory of the writer in the Xcw Era, because it the persons elected at
these elections were by previous acts members of Provisional Govern
ments, why reiterate what previous laws required th;it only registered
voters should vote.
Yon will thuspereeive that the opinions given in tbeeases of .Tudge Ir
win and General Gordon were predicated on the eonvietion that the Uth
Article contained the only qualifteations prescribed by the Ifeeonstruetion
acts, and the correspondence of the 2Hth February by telejrram. ha(| set
tled me in the opinion that these Goyernnieiits to lie elected were not
provisional, or to be considered as deriving their authority from any so-
called State authorify. and that this question, fi rtunalely for me, had
been raised in advance of its application to any individual or political
consideration. I h.ave now given you a full statement of the manner in which 1 be
came involved in giving construction to the laws, and al-o Ihe construe.
tion given, to which, unless overruled, I shall adhere. It is true. Con
gress can. at any moment, pass an amendatory or explanatory aet, whii h
sh.all require the test oath to be taken by persons eleeted under the new
Constitution,btit I shoidd greatly regret sneb !ictioii for two reasons, jJmJ,
that it would be considered as an additional condition, and imposed lor
special purposes; secondly. \i will be very difficult to carry out, as I
have already advised yon at the time it was proposed fo require a com
plete change in office holders, 't'lie question, however, is important, and
should be settled. It evidently has never been understood in the light
that is now attempted to be thrown on it, for, if it had, the members of
the Con.stitutional Conventions should certainly have been required to
take the test oath, and I am not aware that it was ever required of any of
them. Elections are now coming off both in this State and Florida, and
pending bill in Congress requires those eleeted reeently in Alabam:i to be
Installed in office. The question is. are all these officers, under existing
laws, required to take the test oath, thdse in Alabama being meiniiers of
a Provisional Government, as declared by statute. I presume will be re
quired, but 1 see no reason those in Georgia and Florida should be so re
quired. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Oeneral.
A true copy :
K. C. DRUM, Assistanl Adjutant General,

64
HEADQUARTERS, THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
(Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama,)
Atlanta, Georgia, April 15, 1868.
GENEK.iL OEDEES 1

No. 61.
I. General Orders No. 52, issued from these Headquarters on the
subject of eligibility to office, have reference only to the qualifications
for holding office under the new constitution of tbis State, should it
be ratified, and after tbe State should be admitted to representation
in the Congress of the United States as provided for in the recon
struction acts.
II. The question having been submitted whether the members of
the General Assembly of this State, to be elected next week, will be
required, before entering upon their duties, to take what is commonly
called "the test oath," the Commanding General is of opinion
that, inasmuch as said General Assembly, should the constitution now
submitted to the people of this State be ratified by them, and be ap
proved by Congress, is required to convene and adopt the proposed
amendment to the Constitution of tbe United States designated as
^Article XIV," before tbe Slate can be admitted to representation in
Congress ; it may be decided that the members of said General A.ssem-
bly are, while taking tbis preliminary action, officers of a provision^
al government and as such required, under the 9th section of the Act
of Congress of .July 19, 1867, to take "tbe test oath." That oath is as
follows :
"I, A. B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have never volun
tarily borne arms against tbe United States since I have been a citi
zen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, coun
sel or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto ;
that I have neither sought, nor accepted, nor attempted to exproisg
the functions of any office whatever, under any authority, or preten
ded authority, in hostility to the United States; that I have not yiel
ded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority.
power, or constitution, within the United States, hostile or inimical
thereto. And I do further swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my
knowledge and ability, I will support and defend tbe Constitution of
the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I
will bear true faith and allegiance to the same ; that I take this obli
gation freely, without any mi^ntial reservation or purpose of evasion :
and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on
which I am about to enter. So help me God."
By order of Major General Mkadb :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
In answer to the foregoing letter, ihe following telegram was re
ceived :
HEADQUARTERS WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washinoton, D. C, April 29, 1868.
Major General Oeorge O. Meade, Commanding Third Military Dis
trict:
I have carefully read your letter of 16th April, and its enclosures.

65
I SCO nothing in them to change my opinion as expressed to you in
uiy dispatch of Jtarcb '2, 1868.
Th(! officers elected under tho new Constitution of Georgia, are not
officers of the Provisioniil Government referred to in the Reconstruc-
ti(m Acts, nor are they officers elected under any so-called State au
thority, and are not therefore required to take the oath prescribed in
section nine, .-\ct of .luly 19, 1807. The elisiibilily to hold ofBcemust
be determined by tbe new Constitution, and the Amendment to tho
Constitution of the United States, designated as Article Fourteen.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL

COEEESPONDEUOE EELATIYE TO THE OEGAUIZATIOH
OP THE GEOEGIA LEGISLATIJEE.

Atlanta, Georgia, July 8, 1868.
Major General Oeorge G. Meade, Commanding Third Military Dis
trict :
General : — A joint committee of the General Assembly waited upon
me at ten o'clock tbis morning, and made official notification that the
two Houses had perfected their organization by tbe election Of officers,
and now waited any communication that the authorities might desire to
make : To v hicb I replied — expressing gratification at the informatioa
thus conveyed— that I would communicate the facts to the Major Gen
eral Commanding tbe Third Military District, and upon receiving bis
orders would communicate with the General Assembly.
It is proper for m?to inform the General Commanding, that it is al
leged that a number of tbe members of tbe General Assembly, who
were declared elected, are not eligible to their seats under the Act of
Congress of June 25, 1868, by reason of their having taken an official
oath to support tbe Constitution of the United States, and afterwards
eiving aid and conifort to the enemies of the United States. It is also
Sueged that one or more of the officers elected by that body, are pro
hibited from holding office by the iirovisions of tbe same act.
I am not advised, that anv action has been taken by either House, to
nscertain the eligibility of its members or of its officers ; indeed, I be
lieve that no such action has been taken.
Veiy respectfully,
(Signed) RUECS B. BULLOCK,

Provisional Governor.

A true copy :
K. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral.

66
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Gkoegia, July 8, 1808.
To Ills Excellency Ii. B. Bullock, Provisional Governor of Georgia.
GovERNOit: — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
Ibis date, advising me that you have been officially informed that tbe
two Houses of the Legislature had perfected their <)rganizati(m, and
were awaiting any communication you might have to make, and that
accordingly vuu referred to me lor instructions. In reply 1 beg leave
to state that 1 have no instructions to give you, further than to make
known that, in my judgmenl, neilber Ilouse is organized legally un
til they have complied with the requisitions of the Reconstruction
acts, and the act which became a law June 25. 1838, all of which
prohibit any one holding an office under the State who is excluded by
section 6 of tlie Amendment lo the Constitution, known as Aiti.lel4.
'.pnit ibis view is not a novel one with me, and does not arise from any
consideration but my desire to execute the laws, will be cb^arly seen
by reference lo the accompanying General Order No. 52, of April 6,
1868, in which I announced to the people of Georgia and candidates
for eleclion, my views of the eligibility of candidates under the laws
of Congress It is not my purpose to dictate to tbe two Houses how
or when they will apply this test lo tbe several members. Ordinarily
each House is undoubtedly the judg3 of the qualifications of its mem
bers, but in view of the fact that ihe l/ogisiiuiire, until the Stale is
admitted by compliance with the requisitions of the acts of Congress,
is only provisional, and subject to me aulburuy of the District com
mander, and in view of the fnrtber fact that it is my duty, so long as
military government exists, to see tliat the laws be faith fully execu
ted, I feel constrained to say that I cannot recognize any act of the
Legislature as valid, nor allow the same to be executed, until satis
factory evidence is produced that all persons excluded bv tb"14lh Ar
ticle are deprived of their seals or offices in both Houses. Y'ou hive
been furnished from ili su riead(|iiarii'rs, fur tran.sniission to the
respective Houses, the documents in the cases of several members
whose seats are contesti^U on inis gronnd, and there is, doubtless,
other information upon the same subject. My only object now is,
that you may communicate these views to both Houses, leaving to
each to take such action as it may deem suitable and proper.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) GEURGJi G. MEADE, .
Major General, Commanding.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Atlanta, Georgia, Jnly 17, 18(33.
Major General George 0. Meade, Commanding Third Military District, At
lanta, Georgia.
General :
1 herewith transmit the resolution of the Senate and the reports of the
majority and the minority of the Committee appointed by the Senate to
investigate and report upon the eligibility of Senators and Officers un
der tbe 'Act of Congress of Jnne 25th, 1868.
Tbe minoiity report Senators John C. Richardson, B. R. McCutchin,
Joshua Griffin, J. J. Collier, W. B. Jones, J. H. MoWborter, C. R.'
Moore, John Harris and E. D. Graham ; and Officers E. Thorn and J.
G. W. Mills, as ineligible.

07
-r ^T ^^,^^^' Sectors John C. Richardson, Joshua GrifBn, W B Jones
, • McWhorter and John Harris, and Officer J. G. W. Mills have beeil
relieved by Congress, thn.s leaving Senators B. It. MeCntchin, J. J.
Collier. C. R. Moore and E. D. Graham, .and Officer E. Tho n ineligi
ble, and, in the opinion of tbe minority, not entitled to seats (ir offi?e
Ihe report of the majority is in favor of the eligibility of all the Sen
ators and Offi;'er.s, and is h(irewith presented, with the' evidence upon
which the Committee bise their report.
After carefully reviewing this evidence, tbe following endorsements
are made, to which the attention of the Commanding General is re-
spectfuUy invited : —
By the abstract of the examination of Senator Graham, of the Third
District, be states that he served a year aud a half, or two years, as
Postmaster, but fails to remember whether or not he took an oath to
support the Constitution of the United States. He afterwards partici
pated in the Rebellion. By tbe laws of Congress, persons sixteen
years of age and older, are allowed to qualify as Postmaster : aud, iu
this capacity, are in the eye the law, "Officers of the United 'states."
Senator Moore, Twelfth District, by his own evidence, was Ordinary
of Webster County, in this State, prior to the War ; and as the Consti
tution and laws made it his duty to take an oath to support the consti
tution of the United States, the presumption of law is, that he did
take tbe cath, notwithstanding his faihire to recollect the fact. His own
statement further shows that be held this office before, and for three
years during the war. He is therefore clearly ineligible.
The case of Senator McCutchin, of the Forty-fourth District, is this;
He, prior to the war held an office, and took an oath to support tho
Constifuliou of the United States ; and, during the war held an office
under the biate Government, "created by law for the administration of
"a general law of the State;" hence, having held an office under a State
engaged in rebellion against the United States, he must necessarily
have given "aid and comfort to the enemies thereof "—and therefore,
tmder the third section of the XIV Article, and the sixth section of the
Supplementary Acts of July 19th, 1867, he is clearly ineligible, 'that
this view must have been taken of the matter by the Senator himself, is
shown by the evidence of T. J. -lob, who was Clerk of the Boarci of
Registration in the Senator's District. The Senator, according to the
testimoiy, came before the Board three times, and each time dechned
to register, because he did not think he could tiilje the oath: but, with
in the -fourteen days prior to the election, and after he had been nominated
as a candidate, he did take the oath and was registered.
Senator Collier, of the Fourteenth District, by his own evidence, held
an office and took an oath to support tbe Constitution of the United
States previous to tbe war; but, in his own opinion, did not give aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof; although, he aided his sons, who were
engaged in rebellion. Further, he produces a pardon, of the President
of the United States, which could not have been obtained without a
previous admission upon the part <'f the Senator ih'd he had been engaged
in rebellion against the authority of the United States, or given aid and
comfort to the enemies thereof In the Supplementaiy Reconstruction
Act of Jnly 19th. 1867. section seven, execulive pardon, or amnesty, is
not allowed fo invest the party receiving such pardon with the right to
voir. Senator Jones, of Thirteenth District, from the evidence presented,
would be deemed ineligible; but I have official information in my pos
session, that he has been relieved of bis disabilities by Congress.

C8
Senator Holcomb, of the Thirty-ninth District, according to his own
statement, did not hold any office previous to tbe war that, in his opin
ion, would make bim ineligible under the law, although it has been re
presented to me that under the laws of Soutb Carolina tbe officers of '
militia were executive officers, created by a law of that State, having
charge of the patrol of the District and other Executive dnties for the
" administration of general laws, and for tbe administration of Justice. "
Time has not been given to ascertain the, truth of this representation,
nor have the Committee made any investigation to that end. notwith
standing tbe fact that the Senator's seat has been contested upon this
ground, by a A. W. Hansard, who desires to prove the ineligibility of
Senator Holcomb.
J. G. W. Mills, journalizing clerk, would, from the evidence present
ed, be clearly ineligible, but I have been officially informed that he has
been relieved of his disabilities by Congress.
Ephriam Thorn, door-keeper, according to his own evidence, is, iu
my opinion, clearly ineligible under the law.
Senator John Harris, of the  District, from tbe evidence
presented, would be clearly ineligible, but I have official information
that his disabilities have been removed by Congress.
Under the third section of the Act of Congress of June 25th, 1868,
permitting the assembling of the General Assembly of this State, all
jiersons who would be ineligible to office, under the Constitutional
Amendment, when adopted, are, by an express law of Congress, made
ineligible in the organization of Sfaite Governments; and under the
Reconstruction Acts of Congress, the General Commanding tbe Military
District is, in this State, the sole executive officer of the laws of Con
gress, and is the only authority who can see that they are executed in
case they are disregarded by the General Assembly.
I would therefore most respeetlully submit, that, in my opinion, from
the evidence presented, E. 1). Graham, C. R Moore, B. R. McCutchin
and J. J. Collier are not eligible to se.its as Sena ors; and that E.
Thorn is not eligible as an officer of the Senate.
In the case of H. W. Holcomb, I would respectfully recommend that
tbe Senate be requested to farther investigate his case, 'ihe decision
of the Commanding General is respectfully solicited.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) RUFUS B. BULLOCK,
Provisional Governor.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral.

Majority Report of tlie select Committee on the eligibility of
members of the Senate of Ocorgia :
The select committee to whom was referred tho message of his Ex
cellency Provisi.inal Governor Bullock, and accompanying documents,
report that they have carefully examined thecase of each Senator and
officer of the Senate, as to their eligibility under section 3, (JOnstitu-
tional Amendment, Article 14, and find nono ineligible, which is re-

09
ted, together w
July 17,' 1808.

spectfully submitted, together with an abstract of the evidence on
which they acted.

Adopted July 17, 1868.

M. C. SMITH, Chairman.
H. HICKS )
R. T. NESBITT [ Committee.
MILTON A. CANDLER i
F. O. WKLCH
A. E. MARSHALL, Sec'y Senate.

A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant .idjutant Oeneral.
Minority report of the Committee on the eligibility of members
of the Senate of Georgia .• Atlanta, Gkorgta, Jnly 17, 1868.
We whose names are hereunto annexed, a niinorily of yoiir com
mittee lo whom was referred the examination into the eligibility of
Senators and officers of the Senate, beg leave to ofi'er the following
report. "VVe find after careful examination of the testimony in the cases of
Senator Collier, of the 14th District, and Senator Jones, of the 13th
District, a barrier to their elegibiliiy, in this that it is clearly proven
that each held office before the war, taking the usual oath to support
the Constitution of the United States, and afterwaid.s gave aid vol-
unf«rily lo the rebellion, it being in the minds of your coinmilteo
thus clearly proven.
We respectfully refer Senators to the testimony upon which our
conclusion are based for their own guidance in the premises, and beg
to be relieved from further labor on this subject. All of which is re
spectfully submitted. (Signed) JOSEPH ADKINS.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General

The undersigned, one of tho committee appointed to inquire into
tbe eligibility of Senators and officers of the Senate as determined by
the Third Section of the proposed amendment lo tho Conslitiitidn of
the United States, known as article 14, reports that after careful in
vestigation, he finds the following Sjnators and officers ineligible, to
wit: John C. Richardson, B. R. McCutchin, Joshua Griffin, J. J. Col
lier W. B. .Ton-s J. H. McWhorter, C. It. Moore, John Harris,
E Thorn, J. G. W. Mills aud E. D. Graham.
' (Signed) E. J. HIGBEE
A true copy : ,. ^ ,
R. U. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL
Resolution respectlrig action of Senate of Georgia, on eligibility
of its members : <..,. c i .u ,. c^.
Jlesolred That tho action of the Senate on the reports of the com
mittee ou th'e eliffibi lily of its members, together with the reports,
and the testimony accompanying the reports, be communicated to

70
His Excellency, the Provisional Governor ; and through him to Ma
jor General Meade, informing His Excellency, that the Senate having
investigated the eligibility of its members, ask His approval of their
action, and if approved the Senate reports itself duly organized, and
ready to proceed to business, and receive any communication His
Excellency may be pleased to make.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 18, 1868.
Son. R. B. Btdloch, Prorisional Governor State of Georgia ;
Governor :— I have the honor to acknowledge tbe receipt of your let
ter of the 17th instant, transmitting the action and resolution of the
Senate, on the eligibility of, its members, under the Fourteenth Article
Constitutional Amendment, aud objecting to the same, on the ground
of the admission of certain members, who, in the judgment of the mi
nority of the Committee of Iuyestigati(m aud yourself, are ineligible.
In reply, I beg leave to state that the subject matter of your commu
nication will be held by me for consideration, and that action thereon
will be deferred, till I shall be officially advised of tbe course pursued
by the House of Represeutatives upon the same subject.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Sighed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General U. S. A., Commandhig.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

OFFICE OP THE PROVISiuxNAL GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA,
Atlanta, July 18, 1868.
Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third "Military Dis
trict, Atlanta.
General; — Athalf past twelve o'clock to-day, a Committee from the
House of Representatives, waited upon me, and made the following
verbal report ! "The House having taken into consideration the
question of tb(^ eligibility of its members, referred to in tbe communi
cation of the JMajor General commanding, and having made a careful
investigation of each case presented, have decided by a vote of the
House that all persons now in their seats are eligible." In the com
munication of the 8th instant from the Major General commanding,
which was presented to the House, I find the following: -'In my
judgment, neither House is organized legally until they have ccnu-
plied with the requisitions of the Reconstruction acts, and tho act
which became a law June 25, 1868, all of which prohibit any one
holding an office under a State, who is excluded by section three of
the Constitutional Amendment, known as Article 14. * * It is
not my purpose to dictate to the two Houses bow or when they will
apply this test to the? several members. Ordinarily, each House is un
doubtedly the judge of the qualifications of its own members but in
view of the fact that the Legislature, until the State is admitted by
compliance with the acts of Congress, is only provisional, and subject
to tho authority of the District commander, and in view of the fur
ther fact that it is my duty, so long as military government exists to
see that the laws be fully executed, I feel constrained to say that I can
not recognize any act of the Legislature as valid, nor allow the same
to be executed, until satisfactory evidence is produced that all persons

71
excUidod by the 14th Article are deprived of their seats or offices in
both Houses," The House has failed to furnish {he report of its com-
inittee, and tbe evidence taken in relation to the eligibility of its mam-
bers, and I am, therefore, unable to produce for the consideration of
the commanding General "satisfactory evidence * * that all persons
excluded by the 14lh Article are deprived of their seats or offices in
both Houses," and I therefore /eel constrained to report tbe House has
not complied with tho suggestions of the MajorGencralcommanding.
Very respectfully, (Signed) RUFUS B. BULLOCK,
A true copy : Provisional Governor.
R. C DRUM, Assisiant Ailjuiant Oeneral.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Gkoroia, July 20, 1868.
Hon. R. Bullock, Prorisional Oovei-nor of Georgia ;
Governor : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your let
ter of the 18th inst,, advising me, that a committee of the House of
Representatives had waited on you. and verbally informed you "that
tbe House having made a careful investigation info the eligibility of its
membei-s, have decided by a vote of the House that all persons now in
their seats are eligible."
I have already acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 17th, re
porting the action of the Senate ou tbe same subject.
I have now to advise and instruct you, that each House having com
plied with the requisitions of my communication of the 18th instant, by
oxaminmg into, and deciding on tbe eligibility of their members, under
the Acts of Congress and the Fourteenth Article Constitutional Amend
ment, I have no further opposition to make to their iiroceedmg to the
business for which they were called together, as I consider them legally
organized from the ISih instant, —the date of the action of the House.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
A true copy : Major General TJ. S. A.
R. C. "drum, Assistant Adjutant General.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Atlanta, Georgia, July 30, 18G8.
Major General Geo^-ge 0. Meade, Commanding :
General :— I ani informed that au attempt is contemplated, by per
sons resident in the city of Augusta, to defy tbe authority of the civil
officers, now acting as Mayor and Council of that city.
These officers were appointed by Military authority, to fill vacancies,
and were recognized by the late Constitutional Cohvention, as the prop
er civil authority ; and are to be recognized as such, until their succe^-
sirs are regulurly elected and duly qualified, or until otherwise provided
"in'view'of the information above referred to, I would respectfully re
quest that the Commanding Officer of the Post of Augusta, be instruct
ed to sustain tbe civil authority, when called upon.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) RUFLS B. BULLOCK, Govemiyr.
A true copy :
K. C. DEUM, Assistant Adjutant Genercd.

72
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
Atlanta, Gkorofa, August 1, 1868.
His Excellency, R. Ii. Bullock, Governor Georgia :
Sir: I have tbe honor to ackuowledge the receipt of your communication
of the 30th ultimo , advising me that j'Ou anticipated difficulties iu the
city of Augusta, and requesting orders be sent to the Commanding Offi
cer at that place, to airl and co-operate with the civil authorities. In
reply, I regret that it is not in my power to give the orders requested
by you, nor can I permit the forces under my command to be employed,
except under the orders of the War Department ; and should the pow
er under your control, in yoifr judgment be inadequate to preserve law
and order, I would suggest your so reporting by telegraph, to the Pres
ident of the United States, requesting I be instructed to use the milita
ry power for tbe preservation of the peace of the State.
Iu reference to the municipal authorities of AuguSta being the ap
pointees of the military, your attention is called to the enclosed Gen
eral Orders by which you will see that the past acts of the military have
now no force, but such as maybe given to them by the Courts and Leg
islatures ot the respective States ; and I would suggest your urging ac
tion on the part of the Legislature, to confirm the power of such ap
pointees as necessarily hold over and a'so such orders as it was deemed
proper to issue, bearing on the rigbtsi of person and property.
I am sir, very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General U. S. A., Commanding.
A true copy :
S. F. BARSTOW, Acting Assisiant Adjutani General.

Circular Letters Relative to Military Interference in
Civil Ajffairs, sent to Subordinate Commanders.

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia , August 25, lb6J5.
To Commanding Officer District oj. 
[CiBctJLAR Letter :]
That tbere may be no misunderstanding on the part of District
Commanders and their subordinates as to their duties, in the event of
any disturbance in tbe civil government within the territorial limits
of their commands, or as to the power of the military authoritii^s un
der existing circumstances, the following correspondence is furnished
for your information and guidance;
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT
Atlanta, Georgia, July 30, 1868. '
Oeneral TJ. S. Grant, Washington, D C:
The Governor of Georgia, advises me there is reason to believe the

73
municipal authorities of Augusta are about being resisted by a com
bination made for that purpose. These authorities, were the appoin
tees of my predecessor, and it is probable the resistance anticipated,
is on tho ground that military authority having ceasi^d, all agents
drawing their power from the military nra functus officio. The Qov-
ernor calls on me to sustain the civil authorities if necessary. In
structions and advice is requested on the position the military power
now occupies. In my judgment, 1 have no right to interfere or usa
the military forces under m}- command, except where so instructed to
do from superior authority ; and that tbe Governor should report to
Washington his inability to preserve order and enforce the law, be
fore any orders are sent to me.
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE,
Maj. Oen. Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C, July 31, 1868.
Major General Oeorge O. Meade,
Commanding Third Military District,
Atlanta, Georgia :
Your telegram to the General Commanding, requesting instruc
tions and advice on the position the military power occupies in Geor
gia, has been submitted to the Secretary of War, and by him laid be
fore the President and Cabinet.
Your views as to when and how tbe military forces under your
command may be used, were approved of, and I am instructed by tha
Secretary of War, to say to you that he will prepare and send to you
instructions for your giiidance. Also that should any insurrection op
riot break out before you receive them, to advise the Governor to tele
graph to the President for the required authority to use the troops in
quelling the same. (Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, Chief of Staff.

Washington, D. C, August 20, 1868.
Major Oeneral Oeorge G. Meade,
Commanding Third Military District,
Atlanta, Georgia :
The subject matter of your dispatch is still under consideration.
Tbe answer however will probably be similar to instructions sent
General Buchanan. „ . ,„^ .,„„
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS,
^ Chief of Staff.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. r;., August 22, 1868.
Major General Oeorge O. Meade, Commanding Department of the South,
A tlanta, Georgia.
The following instructions were sent to General Buchanan :
10

74
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Adjutant General's Office,
Wa.shinglon, D C, August 10, 1868.
Brevet Major General Robert C. Buchanan, V. S. Army, Commanding
Department of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana.
General: The following instructions from the Secretary of War are
furnished for your government, to the end that tbe "ecessary aid may
be rendered by the United States as promptly as possible in any case
of insurrection or domestic violence in the Slates embraced in your
Militarj' Department. You will keep yourself informed of the con
dition of affairs in said Stales, and communicate promptly by tele
graph lothe War Department, through the Headquarters of the Ar
my, any facts which rriay make it the duly of the President, under
the Constitution and laws, to enjploy the military force of the Uni
ted States.
You will also maintain such disposition of the troops under your
command, that they may be ready to act without delay upon receipt
of the President's orders. Stationing them at, or from time to time
moving them to points, where you may have reason to apprehend a
necessity for their use.
Tbe following extracts from tbe Constitution and Laws of the Uni
ted Slates, indicate the condition under which the military forces of
the United States may be lawfully employed to suppress insurrection
against the Government of any State : —
Article 4, Section 4, of the Constitution — "The United States shall
guarantee to every Slate in this Union a Republican 'form of Govern
ment, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and on appli
cation of the Legislature or of the Executive, when the Legislature
cannot be convened, against domestic violence."
Act of Congress, approved February 28, 1795, Section ¦»*¦»¦»
"And in case of an insurrection in any Slate against the govern
ment thereof, it shall be lawful for the President <)^f the United States
on application of tbe Legislature of such State or of the Executive,
when the Legislature cannot be convened, to call forth such a num
ber of the militia of any other Stale or Slates, as may be applied for,
as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection. And
Section three (3) provided always and be it further enacted, that
whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the President to
use the .military force hereby directed to be called forth, the Presi
dent shall forthwith by proclamation command such insurgents to
disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within a limi
ted time."
Act of Congress approved March 3, 1807: Be it enacted, &c.,
that in all cases of insurrection or obstruction to the laws, either of
the United States or of any individual State or Territory, where it is
lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the Mili
tia for the purpose of suppressing such insurrection, or of causing the
laws to be duly executed, it shall be lawful for him to employ for the
same purposes such part of the land or naval forces of the United
Stales as shall be judged necessary, having first observed all the pre
requisites of the law in that respect.
By command of General Grant :
(Signed) JOHN A. RAWLINS, CTiie/ of Staff.

75
From the aboveyou will perceive there is no authority for tho in-
ZIT,T" '\ ''" ""'"T ^'''"', ""^'¦''^ y""'- <-'""im«"d, and that
when the mterlorence ot such a^.tbority is deemed necessary, applica
tion for it^ use must be made to these Headquarters. Shoiim in ex-
igenc> arise requiring instant action, and if it be impraclicable for
watit of time to consult the views of the Commanding General any
action taken must be on tbe responsibility of the commander interfer
ing; who,_it IS needless to say, will be held to a strict accountability
tor his action. ¦'
The "Pceedman's Bureau" is now in the same relative position
with the Military power, as any other Civil Bureau of the Govei n-
ment ; application, therefore, for the use of troops in connection there
with, must be made to the Department Commander.
By obdkr of Majok General Meade:
(Signed) R. (J. DRUM,
Assisiant Adjutant General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adju'ant Oeneral.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia, October 1, 1868.
To Cormmanding Officer 
The following correspondence is furnished for your information and
guidance ; HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
AD,ruTANT Gkneral's Office,
Washington, August 25, 1868.
Major General Oeorge 0. Meade, U. S. Army, Ojmmanding Department of
the S]ulh, Athinta, Georgia:
General . — In reply to your request for instructions relative to the
use of the troops under your command iu aid of the civil authorities, the
Secretiiry of War directs to be furnished, for your information and gov
ernment, the enclosed copies of a letter of instrnelions to Brevet Major
Geuei-al Buchanan, commanding Department of Louisiana, dated Au
gust 10, 1868, and of a letter from the Attorney General of the United
States to Alexander M gruder. Esquire, United States Marshal Northern
District of Florida, dated August 20, 1868.
The letter to General Buchanan indicates the conditions under which
the military force of the United States maj' be employed to suppress
insurrection against the government of any State, aud prescribes the
duties of the Department commander in reference thereto.
The letter of the Attorney General sets forth the conditions under
which the Marshal and Sberifl's may command the assistance of the
troops in their respective Districts or Counties to execute lawful pre
cepts issued to them by competent authority.
The obligation of the military, (individual officers and soldiers,) in
common with all citizens, to obey the summons of a Marshal or Sheriff,
must beheld subordinate to their paramount duty as members of a per
manent military body. Hence the troops can act only in their proper
organized capacity, under their own officers , aud in obedience to the
immediate orders of those officers. The officer commanding troops
summoned to the aid of a Marshal or Sheriff, must also judge for him
self, and upon his own official responsibility, whether the service re
quired of him is lawful and necessary, and compatible with the proper
discharge of his ordinary military duties, aud must limit bis action

76
absolutely to proper aid in execution of the lawful precept exhibited to
him by the Marshal or Sheriff.
If time will permit, every demand from a civil officer for military aid,
whether it be for the execution of civil process or to suppress insurrec
tion, should be forwarded to the President, with all the material facts
in the case, for his orders ; and in all cases the highest commander
whose orders can be given in time to meet the emergency, will alone
assume the responsibility of action.
By a timely disposition of troops where there is reason to apprehend
a necessity for their use, and by their passive interposition between
hostile p irties, danger of collision may be averted. Department com
manders, and, in case of necessity, their subordinates, are expected in
this regard to exercise, upon their own responsibility, a wise discretion
to the. end that, in any event, tbe peace may be preserved.
By command of General Grant :
(Signed) J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutani General.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
20tb August, 1868.
Alexander Magruder, Esquire, TJ. 8. Marshal Northern District F.orida, SL
Augustine, Florida.
Sir : — Your letter of the 12th instant reached me yesterday, and has
received an attentive consideration. Colonel Sprague's inlormalion to
you must have been based upon his own construction of General
Meade's order, lately issued, and not upon any special ins'ractionsfrom
the President to Colonel Sprague through General Meade or otherwise,
as no such special instructions iiave been issued by the President. You
add, " Under some circumst.inoes I should be glad to have the aid of
the military, and, if practicable, would be pleased to have instructions
given to the military to aid me when necessary. I ask this, as Colonel
Sprague informs me under his instructions he cannot do so." This de
sire and request for the ' 'aid of the military" under certain circumstances ,
I understand to refer to the occasional necessity, which may arise , that
a Marshal should have tbe means of obtaining the aid and attendance
of a more considerable force than his regular deputies supply, for the
execution of legal process in his District.
The 27th Section of the Judiciary Aet of 1789, establishes the office
of Marshal, and names among his duties and powers the following : —
"And to execute throughout the District all lawful precepts directed to
him, and issued under the authority of the United States ; and be shall
have power to command all necessary assistance in the execution of his
duty, and appoint, as there maybe occasion, one or more deputies."
(1 St., p. 87.)
You will observe from this that the only measure of the assistance
which yon have power to command is its neoes.sity for the execution of
your duty, and upon your discreet judgment, under your official respon
sibility, the law. reposes the determination of what force each particular
necessity requires. Tbis power of the Marshal is equivalent to that of
a Sheriff, and, with either, embraces, as a resort in necessity, the whole
power of the precinct (County or District) over which the officer's au
thority extends. In defining this power, Attorney General Gushing,
and, as I understand the .subject, correctly says "it comprises every per
son in the District or County above the age of fifteen years, whether
civilians or not ; and including the military of all denominations, mill-
tia, soldiers, marines, all of whom are alike bound to obey the com-

77
mands of a Sheriff or Marshal." While, however, the law gives you
this "power to command all necessary assistance," and the military
within your District are not . xempt from obligation to obey,in common
with all the citizens, your summons in case of necessity, you will be
particular to observe that this high and responsible authority is given
to the Miu-shal only in aid of his duty "to execute throughout the Dis
trict all lawful precepts directed to him, and issned under the authority
of the United States, and only in case of necessity for tbis extraordinary
aid. The militiiry persons obeying this summons of tbe Marshal, will
act in subordination and obedience to the civil officer, tbe Marshal, in
whose aid in the execution of process they are called , and only to the
effect of securing its execution.
This special duty and authority in the execution of process issued to
you, piust not be confounded with the duty and authority of suppres
sing disorder and preserving the peace, which, under our Government,
belongs to the rivil authorities of the State, and not to the civil author
ities of the United States. Nor is this special duty and authority of
the Marshal in executing process issued to him, to be confounded with
the authority and duty of the President of the United States , in the
specific cases of the Constitution and under the regulations of tlie Stat
utes, to protect the States against domestic violence, or with the au
thority and duty, under special Statutes, to employ military force in
subduing combinations in resistance to the laws of the United Slates,
for neither of these duties or authorities is shared by the subordinate
officers of the Government, except when and as the same may be speci
fically communicated to them by the President.
I have thus called your attention to tie general considerations bear
ing upon the subject to which your letter refers, for the purpose of se
curing a due observance of the limits of your duty and authority in
connection therewith. Nothing can be less in accordance with the na
ture of our government, or the disposition of our people, than a fre
quent or ready resort to military aid in execution of the duties confided
to civil officers.
Courage, vigor, and intrepidity are appropriat« qualities for the civil
service which Marshals of the United States are expected to perform,
and a re enforcement of their power by extraordinary means is permit
ted by the law only in extraordinary emergencies.
If it shall be thought that any occasion, at any time, exists for in
structions to the military authorities of the United Slates, within any
of the States, in connection with the execution of process of the courts
of the United States, these instructions will be in accordance with the
exigency then appearing.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) WILLIAM M. EVARTS,
Attorney General.
Adjutant Genebal's Office, August 26, 1868.
Official copy :
(Signed) J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant General.
By Obdeb of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant Oeneral
A true copy :
E. C DEUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

78
HBADQU-A.RTERS DEPART.MENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Georgia, November 23, 1868.
[Circular Letter.]
To 
StR:— The following correspondence is respectfully fur
nished for your information :
WAR DEPARTMENT,
AdjL GenVs Office, Washington, Nov. 12th, 1868.
Major General Oeorge O. Meade, Commanding Department
of the South, Atlanta, Georgia.
Sir : — I have the honor to inform you that the views ex
pressed in your endorsement of the 31st ultimo, returning to
the Commanding Officer District of South t'arolina, papers re
lative to the construction of General Orders No. 27, from Head
quarters Department of the South, as regards furnishing de
tails of troops upon summons from the Sheriffof a county, or
intendant of a town, have been concurred in by the Secretary
of War. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Sigued) E. D. tOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt. GenI,
JEndorsement dated October 31.si, 1868, on a letter from Brevet
Brigadier GeneralJ . V. Bomford, U. S. Army, Command
ing District South Carolina, dated Columbia, South Carolina,
October 23d, 1868, enclosing letter from Brevet Major J. J.
Vanllorn, dated October ^Ist, 1868, requesting information
as to construction of General Orders No. 27, " as regards
furnishing a detail from my command upon a .summons
from the Sheriff of the county or Intendant of the town, for
the arrest of single persons.^'
"Respectfully returned to Brevet Brigadier General J. V.
Bomford, U. S. Army, commanding District of South Caroli
na. The case is too indefinitely stated for any specific in
structions. It was not designed by General Orders No. 27 to
relieve Sheriffs from such duties as would be imposed on them
were no military force present ; and the Sheriff' is authorized
to call on the militar.y only when he has ej^hausted all other
resources, or when he meets with resistance in the attempt to
enforce process. It was not intended, nor will it be permitted
the Sheriff to rely on, and only on, the military for his pur
poses. Not only would such a course be contrary to lavv, but
would tend to relieve citizens from doing the duty which the
law imposes on them. Besides, the troops are not permanent
ly stationed where they are at present, and such reliance by
Sheriffs would be merely temporary. Whi^n a distinct case,
with names of parties, action of Sheriff, evidence of his ina
bility to execute process, or of resistance offered is presented,
the Commanding General will give special instructions in the
case. Until then, officers will be governed by instructions
from the War Department and General Orders No. 27."
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutani Oeneral.

REPOET ON CAMILLA DIFFICULTY.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atl.v.sta, Georgia, October 3, 1868.
General U. S. Grant, Commaw/ing U. S Army, Washington, D. C. :
Sir:— You have been apnrised, that on receiving intelligence of
the disorders occurring in this State on tbe 19th instant, at "Camilla,
in Mitchell c(ainly,' that I at once bad troops in readiness, to meet any
call of the civil anthoritiei^, such a« are leferred to in the letter of in
structions from the General-in-Chief of date August 25, 1868, and
that at the same time, I dispatched Captain Mills, a most reliable and
intelligent officer on whose cool sound judgment and freedom from
any prejudice or party bias I could depend, to investigate thoroughly
and report the facts in the case.
The affair passing off with the riot or rather collision of tbe 19th
insfjint, and no call having been made on me, the Legislature, (as I
think properly) declining the request of the Governor to authorize
him to make the call, no troops were sent. Tho report of Captain
Mills was j-esterday received, and after its perusal I deemed the only
thing for me to do, was to transmit it to the Governor of the Slate,
the officer with whom I am required to communicate and to assure
him, that in any mea.suros that might bo taken by the civil authori
ties in the investigation of the affair and punishment of derelict civil
.officers or citizens, that in case he met with resistance, or he or they
found tbemsolves unable to execute the laws I was prepared on being
so informed to aid and co-nperate with him to the fullest extent of
the force under my command.
My letter to tho Governor, the report and accompanying docu
ments of Captain Mills, are herewith forwarded by the hands of Cap
tain C. McKibbin, U. S. Army, and I should be pleased to receive
any comments thereon, which yourself, the Honorable Secretary of
War, or the President ma}- please to make.
I deem it proper to add, that in a few days I shall distribute tbg
troops in the Department, with a view of "aiding the civil authori
ties to keep the peace" during the approaching Presidential election.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE 6. MEADE, Major Oeneral
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjidant Oeneral.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
ATt.ANTA, Ga., Oetober 8, 18o8.
To Sis Excellency. H. B. Bullock. Governor of Georgia.
GOVERNOR:— Enclosed you will find a printed copy of the instrnctioni
sent to me from the General-in-t'hief, for my guidance in determining
when and how the forces under my command may be used to "preserve th«
peace."* You will perceive they require not only that the call must be made

• See Circular Letters of August 25 and October 1, 1S?6S.

80
by some Marshal or Sheriff, but fh.at this call must be made in accordance
with law, and that the application, with the facts in the case, should be
sent, if practicable, to the Presiilent of the United States for his orders,
before action is taken, and action can only betaken by any subordinate
officer on an emergency justifying him, for which he will be held to a
strict accountability.
The laws referred to in these letters of instruction having been enacted
at periods when the present anomalous condition of affaire, at this time
existing in Iheseveral States of this Slilitary Department, was never an
ticipated. They do not provide that prompt and summary action which,
in cases of riot and unpremeditated disorder, is so necessary for its imme
diate suppression, and they throw directly and entirely on the Marshal or
Sheriff the duty ot initiating the process by which military aid can be
given to -preserve the peace." As much latitude in.ay be given to this
expression, "preserving the peace," and to guard against unnecessary or
improper and illegal use of the United States troops subordinate officers
are enjoined in all cases to obtain, if practicable, from their superiors the
authorify to act when called on. These remarks are made to exphiin to
jou my course in the recent occurrence at Camilla, in this State. The
moment I received intelligence of the difficulty, 1 directed troops to be
held in readiness to meet any legal calls from the properly constituted au
thorities, and I, at the same time, dispatched an intelligent and reliable
officer, in whose judgment I had implicit confidence, to make an investi
gation, and report to me the facts obtained. The report of that officer.
Captain William Mills,,16th Infantry, with accompanying affidavits, is
herewith forwarded for yourj'.onsideration, and such action as you m.iy
deem proper; making the following remarks, which may be deemed per
tinent in view of the delicate duty devolving on me, and my future action
in similar cases : —
1. I consider tl^e conduct of Mes.srs. Pierce and Murphy in the highest
degree reprehensible, if not subjecting thera to an action at law, whilst I
waive the question as to whether your proclamation referred to .such as
semblages as met together at Camilla. Whilst I acknowledge the Con
stitutional right of every citizen fo hear arms for a peacciUile purpose, I
mustinsist that when a civil officer, charged with the preservation of the
peace, commands or requests citizens to put away arms on the ground
that unless they do so, he cannot protect them, that it i.s tbe duty of every
good citizen to yield to the mandate of the law officer, whether that officer
be acting from right or wrong motives, or whether his action is strictly
and technically legiil or not; for it is evident that in the existing condi
tion of tne public mind, if individual citizens are determined to put their
construction on laws and maintain them by force of arms, that collision
riot and bloodshed are inevitabje. Therefore, in my judgment, it was the
duty of Messrs. Pierce and Murphy, as the principal parties, to have
counselled and urged compliance with the mandate of the Sheriff, and held
him responsible afterwards for any assumed authority he may have exer
cised. The strongest evidence of this is to be found in the report of Cap.
tain Mills, in which he states that after the riot commenced, it ended in a

81
few minutes, by the fleeing of the negroes, who composed the mass of the
meeting, showing their arms were utterly useless, and might just as well
have been left, tor all the ability it gave them to maintain their Constitu
tional rights.
II. The conduct of the Sheriff, iu returning to Camilla and organizing
a. posse to meet a riot he seemed determined to believe would occur.
would seem to indicate he hail more knowledge of an intention to break
the peace on the part of the citizens of the town than those holding the
meeting, and that his conduct was such, .as to subject him to the grave
suspicion, that, under the gui-e of the law, and his duty, he was a p irly
to the wanton and unnecessary destruction of life which subsequently
ensued. For there is no evidence that after all resistance was over, and
the negroes were flying in terror, that the Sheriff made any effort to con
trol his 7)osse, and prevent them from continuing till night fall and for
miles from town, wounding and killing the fugitives, 'ibis isagraveand
serious charge— almost too terrible to believe— and I .should be most ehid
to resi-t the eonclu^ion3 which have forced me to believing it, but there is so
much ^rima-/acie evidence .as not only to warrant but to demand — that
such legal action, as the code of the State authorises, should be immedi
ately taken, and an investigation according to theforms.of law be h.id,
and all guilty parties, whether sheriff, coroner or citizens, should be either
acquitted, or if found guilty, punished with the severe-t penalties the
Statutes admit. And now I come to the material part of this communi
cation. There were no troops at CamiHa, not only because no necessity
for their use was anticipated, but because the place is one so remote and
obscure, that had 1 have been distributing troops, they would never have
been sent nearer than Albany, some thirty miles distant; but supposing
troops had been present, you can readily perceive how embarrassing
would be the duty lof the officer in command, unless he was better posted
up in local matters than it is rea.«onable to believe he would he; for in this
case, the testimony would seem to point to the civil officer, whom he is in
structed to obey, as the very one who U apparently most guilty. I refer
to this because I am repeatedly applied to scatter and distribute the
troops, to which I have replied, that I have not the force to occupy every
village in the State, that the conditions under which the troops can act, re
quires the soundest discretion and good judgment, which all subordintite
officers do not possesS, and that I deem it better to hold the troops ready
in masses, to intervene in large bodies when the proper time comes; and
if the riot at Camilla bad continued, or had been followed by retaliation
ou the part of the colored population, I would at once have sent suffi
cient troops to have restored order. And I beg now to say to you, that if
In taking the action to investigate this matter and punish the guilty
therein, if you report to me any difficulty in executing the decrees of
Courts, or in serving the processes of the sheriffs and others, I am pre
pared to sustain the law officers of the State to the fullest extent of the
military power under my command. 1 have no authority to act indepen
dent of the civil authorities, and the laws must be adhered to where-
ever they are defined; but it in executing these laws, you or your sub-
11

82
ordinate officers meet with resistence more than you can overcome, I am
prepared, on being so advised, to use all my power to sustain you. Per
haps the announcement of this fact may remove some delusions, and have
the effect to prevent in future, occurrences like the one at Camilla — an af
fair 1 trust there will be no delay in investigating, and punishing the
guilty, and to aid the :ution of any officer charged with this investiga
tion, is the object of sending to you Captain Mill's report and accompa
nying documents. Very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
(Signed) GEOlIGE G. MEADB,
Major General TJ. S. A.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

Mcpherson Barracks, Atlanta, Gforoia, September 2!), 1868.
Brevet Brigadier General B. C. Drum. Assistant Adjutant General,
Department of the South, Atlanta, Georgia:
GKnkkal: 1 have the honor to report Ibat in compliance with para
graph VII of Special Orders No. 44, current series from Headquarters
Department of the South. I proceeded to Camilla, Mitchell county, Geor
gia, on the 2.5d instant to invcstigale the oe.cnrrenees at that ¦ place on th*
19th instant. 1 respectfully report as follows:
A few days previous to the 19th instant, notices were circulated in
Dougherty and .Mitchell counties that a Republican meeting would be
field at Camilla, Georgia, on thattlay, and that W. P. Pierce, a candidate
for Congress for that district, John Murphy, candidate as elector for the
district. T. F. Putney and others would addresfl the meeting; that pur
suant lo that nnlice, a number of colored people from tha planfatiofis be
tween Albany, Georgia, and tbe neighborhood of Camilla, proceeded in
& body to that place, accompanied by niusieians m a \viigon. This
crowd numbeted from two to three hundred colored people, about one
half of whom may have carried firo-nrms of different desel'iption^ ; that
when within froJn two to three miles of Camilla, they Were met by M. Sw
Poore,the Sheriff of Mitihell colmty. accompanied by four or five citizen*
of Camilla, who protested against their entering tho town with arms,
claiming that in accordance with a late proclamation of th^ Governor, he
was cmpowei-ed to demand that they do not enter the town with arms.
This demand of the Sheriff was replied to by Messrs*. Pierce and Murphy
in behalf of the crowd, by their stating that they were not ah organized
body and in no way under the control of any one leader; that the per
sons with arms carried them of their own accord, and .assured the Sheriff
and citizens of Camilla with him, that they were going to Camilla for the
purpose of attending a political meeting, and that their intentions were
peaceable, and without intent to dlsturhe the peafce of the place. I would
respectfully call your attention to the enclosed affidavits nf W. P. Pierce,
John Murphy, T. F. Putney aild M. S. Poore, Sheriffof MitchHl county,
for a full Undel'standidg of what tbok plUDC between the Sheriff and th«
freedmen at this time. '
From tbe afUdavit it will be seen that he can»idet6d the attitude 6f tbs

83
crowd approaching the town of such a character as to Induce him to re
turn to town and prepare the citizens against attack by directing them
as a possee to have thidr arms ready in case he should call upon them to
assist him in preserving the peace.
I h.ave been unable to obtain any evidence that these colored people
going to Camilla on that day were either instructed or advised by any
one lo carry arms with them, either for purposes of defence or violence,
or that they seriously expected interruption in holding their meeting,
although from some of the enclosed affidavits it is alleged that one
James Johns, a white i-ilizen of (;amillii, had frequently said that no Kc-
publican meeting should be held in Camilla, and that on this day, this
man Johns, armed with a gnu, met the crowd .some three miles from
town and told them that they should have no meeting or speaking
at Camilla, and that if they come into town they would be hurt. Upon
the crowd entering the town en route to the Court House, they are met
by this man Johns, who is intoxicated and armed with a gun ; he is bois
terous and angry in hi- manner, and orders the musicians in the wagon
to cease playing; his orders are not obeyed. In some of the enclosed affi-
da\ its it is .stated that he then fired his gun at the people in the wagon;
by others, that his gun was discharged accidentally and not in the direc
tion of the wagon. However, this may be, the result of the discharge of
this man's gun, was immediiite fire from both colored people and citi
zens of the place. It is admitted by all persons that this man's gun was
the first one fired ; that it vyas discharged without provocation. In con
versation with citizens of Camilla, this man .Johns was described to me
as a drunken and dangerous man and frequently in difficulties, and one
whose acts they deprecated, and that on that day he was intoxicated.
Under these circnrastauces it can not but be considered neglectful on the
part of the Sheriff in not seeing that this man Johns was kept out of the
way on that day, particularly as he was drunk, and as he, the Sherifl, ap
pears to have apprehended so mnch trouble from the approaching crowd
and the excitement existing among the citizens of the place.
For a full understanding of tne occurrences from the time the Sheriff
met the crowd advancing on the road to town until thefiring commenced
and its results. I respectfully call attention to the enclosed affidavits of
both citizens of Camilla and persons who went tbere to attend the meet
ing. As far as it was possible to learn the casualties on that day, were as
follows: 9.kiHe.l, colored; from 25 to 30 wounded, colored, several slight
ly; 6 citizens of Camilla, white, wounded, none severely.
From the enclosed statement of parties present, it will be seen that the
firing in town did not continue many minutes, but that the colored peo
ple fled to the adjoining woods, and that they were pursued by the citi
zens as a possee of the Sheriff, some of them mounted and some on foot,
and that firing of guns was heard through the woods during the balance
ilf .the day. TheSheriff in hisaffldavit states that three colored men were
killed one mile from the town.
I have been unable to find any proof that the colored people who went
that day to Camilla were advised by any of the white men who accom-

84
panied them, and who were to address them, either to go armed for defenc
or violence, but that on the contrary the enclosed affidavits show that
Messrs. Pierce, Murphy and Putney all advised and iniprOssed upon
them that they should be peaceable and law-abiding in all their acts, as
they were meeting at this place, Camilla, in the exercise of their rights
as citizens of the United States.
That the citizens of the town of Albany were in iiny way implicated
or connected with the occurrence at Camilla on the 19th in.stant, is in no
way proven. It is explained in the affidavit of the Sheriff of Mitchell
county that notice of some colored people having left Albany on the
evening of the 18th instant for Camilla, was received by him- through a
person living in the adjoining town of Newton. This is in no way de
nied, as by reference to the affidavit of Peter Hines, the leader of the
band, it will be seen that the musicians with otlier f reedmen, left Albany
on the evening of the ISth inst. I herewith transmit the proceedings of
the citizensof Albany, Georgia, held on the 2 1 St inst., and would state that
information was freely tendered me by all parties. I was accompanied
by^Brevet Stajor U. H. Howard, sub-Assistant Commissioner Bureau
Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, from Albany, Georgia, to
Camilla, Georgia, and from what I could learn, the colored people and
whites were peaceably disuo.sed towards each other.
In my investigation of this matter I was materiidly assisted ^by Major
Howard, and upon my arrival at C.imilla, the citizens of that place ap
peared desirous that the occurrence on the 19lh instant should be inves-
tigateil. Up to the <l:ite of my visit there, no action bad been taken in
this matter by the civil authorities nf the county, nor had any inquest
been helil over the bodies of those killed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) W.M. MILLS,
Captain IBJfe Infantry.
A true copy:
R. C. DRUM, Assistatit Adjutant General.

Reporting Condition of Affairs in Horth and South
Carolina.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Geoegia, October 17, 1868.
Brevet Major General John A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff Head
quarters of the Army, Washington, D. C. : '
Gbnkral : — -I transmit herewith several communications from the
Governor of South Carolina, and one from the Governor of North

85
Carolina in relation to tbe use of troops, in sustaining the civil gov
ernments in these States. Similar communications, both verbal and
written, have been presented by the Governor's of Georgia, Alabama
and Florida. The sum and substance of all these communications
are, that the present state governments in these states, are powerless,
and without the support of "the military forces of the United States,
are unable to exercise their functions or execute the laws. The en
dorsements on the enclosed communications, as well as my correspon
dence with .Major General Miles, commanding in North Carolina, (1&2)
forwarded in my letter to the Adjutant General Of tho Army, of date
the 9th instant, will fully explain my position on these questions. In
brief I have informed the several Governors, that I can find nothing
in existing laws or the instructions sent for my guidance, which will
justify my answering their call, which really means, that I should as
sume the government of the several states, employing the civil officers
backed by military power ; that my sole and exclusive duty is to
preserve the peace, and that only, after it is evident the civil power ia
unable so to do, and calls on me in the manner prescribed by existing
laws ; that whenever the civil authorities, in their attempts to exe
cute the laws, meet with resistance greater than they can overcome,
and appeal through the proper channels to me, I will see they are sus
tained. Recently, I have visited Columbia, S. C, and had a very full
interview with Governor Scott of that Slate. From the represen
tations of Governor Scott, I became satisfied tbere is practically, no
government in South Carolina, that what with tho.se officers who from
want of sympathy with the State government and its origin, refuseio
act, and those who though in full sympathy with the party in power are
afraid to act, there is in reality, no government at all. I informed
Governor Scott, as I bad informed others, that I did notsee any rem
edy for the evil, short of congressional action, that until some of bis
officers had the courage to attempt to do their duty and met with re
sistance, it was not in my power to take action. Before seeing
the Governor, I had previously ordered a distribution of the troops in
the state, with a view of preserving the peace on the day of tbe Pres
idential election, and I furnished bim with a copy of my General Or
der No. 27, which would shew him all I felt authorized to do. As to
the introduction of arms, of whieb so much complaint is made, I re
ferred him to my endorsement to Bvt. Brigadier General Bomford. (3)
Whilst in Columbia, I had interviews with several prominent men
of the Democratic party, who acknowledged the whites in the state
were arming, but disaVowed any intention of resisting either the
State or General Government ; but said the arms were to defend their
homes and families, in case of a negro insurrection which they deemed
timrainent from the incendiary appeals made to the negroes by politi
cal and partisan agents.
It was impossible to form any correct judgment from the very op
posite statements made by each party. It was evident there was a high
state of political animosity and an averred fear on each Side that the
other was about to initiate a resort to force, but I have reason to be
lieve my General Order No. 27, together with the distribution of
troops, and the expressed determination on my part to intervene to
preserve the peace, may have the effect of quieting some of the appre
hensions of both parties.

86
The object of this communication is to report the existing condition
of affairs, my action on the appeals made to me and my views of the
Bituation, to ask for the approval or disapproval of superior authori
ty, and to state that if there is any serious determination, to resist, or
overthrow the preisent state governments, or if I am expected to give
them the aid and support, without which they seem to be unable to
stand, that my present force is entirely inadequate to the duties I will
be called on to discharge. I do not myself believe there will be any
open resistance to tJie State Government, and most certainly none to
the General Government; but I have no doubt that every effort will be
and is being made, within what is considered tbe strict letter of the
law, to paralyse and render impotent the several State Governments,
and that in states like Soutb Carolina, where the intelligent and ac
tive population, the whites, are almost unanimous against tbe govern
ment, it will be impracticable to maintain the same without military
aid from the general government.
Should the General-in-Chief not have returned to "Washington on
receipt of this letter, I beg the same may belaid before the Honorablp
Secretary of War.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) GEORGE G. MEAl)E,
Major General TJ. S. A.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Gkokq[a, September 29, 1868.
Brevet Major General N. A. Miles, Commanding District of North
Carolina, Raleigh, N. C. .-
Gbnbral: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 25th instant, enclosing the affidavit of a citizen, affirm
ing there are a large number of arms secreted at a political club-room,
at Wilmington, N. C., and requesting authority to sei?e them.
The Commanding General sees nothing in your letter to change
his .decision sent you by telegraph on Ibe 26th instant, a copy of
which is herewith enclosed. There is no evidence to show these arms
are to be used for improper purposes, nor is there any that the <3ivil
authorities, now charged with the preservation of order, have made
any effort to ascertain whether these arms are being collected for im
proper purposes, or if so, to seize them ; nor is their evidence of any
failure on the part of the civil government to accomplish this, or any
call on the military for aid in consequence of such failure.
The General thinks you do not properly conceive the position
now occupied by tbe military power, and invites your attention
to tbe circular letter of August 25th last, and the copies of papers fur
nished you,on the 15th instant, containjug the instructions of the War
Department and the qpinion of the Attorney General of the United
Stately, on the exercise of civil and military power.
The .General does not see the application of section six ,(6) of the
Act of March 2, 1867, to the case in point, as the act refers to organ-
ized militia. In his opinion, the proper course to pursue ig, if the

87
storing of these arms is judged to be a violation of any United States
law, to submit tbe evidence to the United States District Attorney,
who should proceed to seize them according to law. If they are ad
judged as violating any State or municipal statute, then the proper
prosecuting officer should take action. Whenever such action is la-
ken, and said officer is resisted and reports his inability to carry out
either the United States or State law, then, and not till then, will the
Commanding General consider hims^' justified in interfering.
"Very respectfully, 3'our obedient servant,
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assisiant Adjutant Oeneral.
A true copy :
E. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL
[2]
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Atlanta, Gkoroia, September 26, 1868.
Major General N. A. Miles, U. .*?. A., Raleigh, N. C:
The commanding General directs that you report tbe fact stated in
your telegram, of this date, to the proper civil authorities, and see
what action they take in the matter.
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assisiant Adjutant General.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assisiant Adjutant General.
[3]
Endorsement on a communication representing tliat armed organizations
. exist in the State of South Oirolina, forwarded, endorsed, by Brevet
Brigadier Oeneral J. V. Bomford, commanding District of South
Carolina, "Respectfully returned to Brevet Brigadier General J. "V. Bomford,
U. S. A., commanding District of South Carolina. As presented,
this case is not one that tbe Commanding General can take action on.
There is no evidence showing that the arms are held by the parties
referred to for unlawful purposes, nor that the civil authorities have
taken any action to ascertain and determine this fact; and, if held for
improper purposes, to seize them, or any evidence that the attempted
seizure has failed. The Governor should be clearly informed of tbe
position now occupied by the military power, which is set forth in
tbe Circular Letter of August 2.5tb last, and the instructions of the
War Department, and the opinion of the Attorney General
on the power of the civil and the military, furnished on tbe
fifteenth of September. In the General's opinion the proper
course to pursue, is, that if the alleged organization is judged
to be a violation of tbe National law, the evidence in the case
should be sent to the United States District Attorney, who should
take the necessary legal steps to disarm them. If it is adjudged as
violatino- the Slate, or municipal law, then the proper prosecuting of
ficer should take action. Whenever such action is taken, and the

88
proper officer is resisted, and reports his inability to carry, out either
the United States or State law, then, and not till then, will the Com
manding General feel justified in interfering.
By Order of Major General Mbade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assisiant Adjutant Oeneral.
A true copy :
R. C. DRUM, Assisiant Adjutani GeneraL

The following are the General Orders issued during
the year relative to Civil Affairs in the
Third Military District.

12

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
(Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama,)
Atlanta, Georgia, January 10, 1868.
General Orders "j
No. 6. j
I. Whereas, The Constitutional Convention of the State of
Alabama, recently in session at Montgomery, in that State,
adopted the following ordinance:
''.4n. ordinance to stay collection of Debts.
Be it Ordained by the people of Alabama in Convention As
sembled, That ¦when any writ of execution, venditioni expo-
nus, or other legal process, requiring the sale of propertj', shall
be, or has been issued from any court of this State, it is made
the duty of the officer to whom delivered for collection, to re
turn the said writ or other process to the proper court, with
his endorsement thereon, 'Returned by operation of Law'
dated and signed bv him. '1 his ordinance to remain in full
force until the 1st day of January, 1869 ; Provided, This ordi
nance shall not apply to judgments in favor of laborers and
mechanics for services rendered since July 21, 1865."
And W/icrcri.'i. the passage of this ordinance which was in
tended to afford relief to debtors in that State has, on the con
trary, caused increased distress to Ihem by occasioning very
numerous attempts to evade its provisions by forcing sales un
der execution in the interval between the time of its passage
and of its taking eftect ; and whereas, such sales, in the pres
ent unsettled condition of afifairs in the State of Alabama, and
in consequence of the low price of cotton, result in such sac
rifices of property as are ruinous to debtors and of but little
benefit to creditors ; and whereas, the people of that State
have no method of enforcing their will, as expressed iu said
ordinance, until after the ratification of the constitution
framed by said convention which has been submitted to them
for their ratification or rejection on the -Ith day of Febriiary
next. II. Therefore, by virtue of the plenary powers invested by
the reconstruction acts of Congress in the Commanding Gen
eral of the Third Military Distiict, and for the temporary re
lief of the people of the State of Alabama ;
It is ordered : That said ordinance shall from this date be
deemed to have taken effect in said State and shall continue
iu full force and validity, until the result of said election on
the ratification of said constitution shall have been ascertained
and published from these Headquarters ; the force of this or
der then to cease should said constitution be rejected. But
should said constitution be adopted by the people, this order
shall continue in force until such constitution shall have been

91
submitted to Congress for examiiiation and approval as pro-
vided for in said reconstruction acts, and until Congress shall
have approved or rejected said Constitution.
III. It is further directed that this order be respected and
obeyed by the several civil officers, Tudicial and otherwise in
the State of Alabama.
By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. 0. DRUM, Asi-istant Adjutant General.
{Orders, of a similar character, were issued for the States of
Georgia & Florida.)
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia, January 15, 1868.
General Orders, "1
No. 10. J
The frequency of reported outrages, and the accompanying
expression of opinion of subordinate otHcers, that no justice
is to be expected from the civil authorities, require notice and
action on the part of the Major General Commanding.
I. The Commanding General desires it to be understood
th.'it the trial and punishment of criminals is to be left to the
civil autnorities, so long as the said authorities are energetic,
active, and do justice to the rights of person and property
without distinction of race or color. Whenever the Major
General Commanding is satisfied from evidence produced that
the civil authorities fail to do their duty then prompt action
will be taken by him both for the punishment of criminals
.and the removal from office of derelict civil officers.
II. The military are to co-operate with, and aid the civil au
thorities ill the detection, capture, and custody of criminals,
aud they are further authorized in cases where they have rea
son to believe the civil authorities are not disposed to do tneir
dut.y, to retain criminals in custody until the fact becomes
evident whether the civil authorities will, or will not perform
their duty — immediately reporting their acton on all such
cases to these Headquarters.
III. — Writs of habeas corpus issued against criminals in the
custody of the military will be obeyed so far as to produce the
body of the prisoner in court, and the making of a respectful
return setting forth the grounds and authority b.y which tho
prisoner is held — should the court fail to respect the authority
under which the prisoner is held — the custody of the criminal
will not be transferred to the court without a reference to these
Headquarters. I'V. The Major General desires to impress on the officers
under his command the exercise of a sound discretion and
good judgment. It is his dete.-mination to afford the civil
authorities every opportunity to discharge their duties un
trammelled by any action on the part of the military, but
such as they, the civil authorities, may invite and desire. He

92
makes this public notice to the civil authorities that they may
be governed thereby— assuripg them they shall be respected
in the exercise of their powers so long as impartial justice is
meted out to all; but the Commanding General is determined
to exercise to the fullest extent the plenary powers with which
he is entrusted to secure protection of persons and property in
the District he commands.
By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant GeneraL

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia, February 2, 1868.
General Orders^
No. 22.
Numerous applications havingbeen made to the Major Gene
ral Commanding, relative to the provisions and the execution
of General Orders No. 49, series of 1867, from these Headquar
ters, and being satisfied from reports and representations that,
in some instancs, the operations of the order have proved
embarrassing and of an ett'ect not designed when it was issued
— the intention having been to prevent by prompt and ener
getic action the use of official patronage to obstruct, hinder
and delay reconstruction under the Acts of Congress — he
therefore directs that the aforesaid order be modified to read
as follows :
I. — The giving of all advertisements and other official pub
lications heretofore or hereafter to be provided for by State or
municipal laws or ordi nances, by the civil officers whose duty
it is to cause such publications to be made, is prohibited, to
such newspapers and such only, as attempt to obstruct in any,
manner the civil officers appointed by the military officers in
this District in the discharge of their duties by threats of vio
lence, of prosecution or other penalty as soon as the military
protection is withdrawn for acts performed in their official
capacity. II.— If in any of the counties in either of the States in this
District, there be but one newspaper published, civil officers,
whose duty it is to advertise in accordance with law, are au
thorized to advertise in said paper regardless of the provisions
of paragraph I of this order.
III. — All officers in this Military District, whether military
or civil, and all boards of registration, or other persons in the
employment of the United States under military jurisdiction,
are directed to give prompt attention to the enforcement of
this order. Opposition to Reconstruction, when conducted
in a legitimate manner, is not to be considered an offence : but
will be so considered when accompanied by violent and in
cendiary articles threatening the preservation of the peace, or
by attempts to 'obstruct civil officers, as indicated in paragraph

93
I of this order. Should any civil officer violate the provisions
of this order, the case will be promptly reported to these Head
quarters, IV. — This order is not to be construed as affecting advertise
ments being published at the date of the order, or prior to its
receipt by the civil officer who is affected thereby.
By order of Major General Meade :
R, C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant General

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Geokgia, February 22, 1868.
General Orders, "j
No. 27. J
I. The Constitutional Convention of the State of Georgia,
now in session in the city of Atlanta, adopted on the 19th day
of February, 1868, the following preamble and resolutions :
Whereas, The Convention has determined that there shall
be no imprisonment for debt in the. State; ai:d whereas, cred
itors are oppressing debtors by tht' use of what is known as
" Bail Process" and writ of ca. sa., Therefore,
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, said pro
ceedings are contrary to the wish of the people of this Sfate.
Rennlved, That the General Commaning this District, is
hereby requested to protect, by order, the people of this State
from the evil above set forth, and that such order remain in
force, until such time as the people have expressed their will
in regard to the Constitution.
II. Therefore, by virtue of the plenary powers vested by the
Reconstruction Acts of Congress in the Commanding General
of the Third Military District, and for the purpose of giving
effect to the wishes of the people of Georgia, as expressed by
their delegates in Convention,
It is ordered: That imprisonment for debt is prohibited in
the State of Georgia, and hereafter no bail process in civil
eases or writ of ca, sa. shall be issued out of any of the courts
of this State.
III. Every person now in prison in this State under any
such process or writ, will be immediately discharged from
.prison. I'V. This order to remain in force until the people of Geor
gia shall express their will in the manner provided by the
Acts of Congress in regard to the constitution to be submitted
to them by the said Constitutional Convention, or until fur
ther orders from these Headquarters.
By obdeb op Majoe Qf neral Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, , Assistant Adjutani General.

94
HEADQUARTERS, THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama,)
Atlanta, Georgia, JFebruary 25, 1868,
General Orders 1
No. 29.
I. Whereas, the Constitutional Convention of the State of
Florida on the 21st day of February, 1868, adopted the follow
ing Ordinance :
Be it ordained. That this convention does hereby levy and
assess a tax of one sixth of one per cent on all the taxable
property of the State, for the purpose of defraying the expen
ses of this convention, aud the compensation of officers and
members thereof, and it shall be the duty of the Tax Collec
tors of the several counties of this State to collect the tax so
assessed on or before the first day of January, A. D., 1869, and
to pay the same to the Treasurer of the State immediately up
on the collection thereof, and that the collectors shall collect
the same in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida
for the collection of State taxes.
Sec. 2. Be it further ordained. That the Comptroljer shall
issue to the Tax Collector all necessary orders for the collec
tion and payment of the taxes aforesaid, which order shall be
binding upon said Tax Collectors.
Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, Th^t the Tax Collector .shall
receive the same per cent as they are now allowed by law for
collecting the State tax.
/Sec. 4. Be it further ordained. That the Governor of this
State is hereby empowered and authorizeSl to issue Bonds
bearing eight per cent interest per annum, payable on the 1st
day <sf March, A. D., 1869, in such sums as he may deem ex
pedient, not exceeding in amount thirty thousand dollars,
which shall be redeemed out of the proceeds of said special
tax when collected, and the Financial Agent for the purpose
of defraying the immediate expenses of this convention is
hereby empowered to dispose of the said Bonds and to pay
from the proceeds thereof such accounts as may be audited by
the Finance Committee, and deposit the balance, if any, with
the Treasurer of the State.
Sec. 5. Be it further ordained. That the Governor of the
State of Florida, is hereby requested, authorized and directed
to issue certificates of indebtedness to the full amount of ten
thousand dollars, which certificates of indebtedness shall (be)
receivable for the tax levied under this Ordinance and all
State dues. Said certifica:es shall bear the impress of the seal
of the State Treasurer, and shall be in such amounts as the
Governor may deem expedient.
II. Therefore, by virtue of the plenary powers vested by
the Acts of C^ongress in the Commanding General of the
Third Military District —
It is ordered, That all of said Ordinance, except what is
contained in these words of the fifth Section thereof, "and all

95
State dues," is approved and directed to be carried into execu
tion, as in said Ordinance provided.
III. The certificates of indebtedness provided to be issued,
as above, shall be paid out only on account of the expenses of
said Convention and the compensation of the officers and
members thereof, and all of such certificates that may not be
received in payment of said special tax, shall be redeemed out
of the proceeds of said special tax when the same shall have
been collected. By order of Major CJeneral Meade:
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant Oeneral
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia, February 28, 1868.
Oeneral Orders, \
No. 31. }
I. The commanding General having received information
through official sources that, in some instances, the courts
and officers charged with providing for the support of pau
pers, and with the care of persons entitled to the benefits of
public charities in this District, refuse such support and bene
fits to persons of color, it is therefore
X)rdered, That all the civil courts and officers in the several
States constituting this military district, whose duty it is made
by law to provide for the relief of paupers, shall extend relief
to all persons entitled to claim, and claiming the same as pau
pers, without any discrimination as to race or color ; aud that
in all the public institutions of said several States, supported
by legislative appropriation or taxation, for the benefit of the
Deaf and Dumb, the Blind, or the Insane, indigent colored
persons shall be received on the same conditions and enjoy
all the benefits which white persons are entitled to receive
and enjoy in such institutions.
By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed( R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta Gbokgia, March 18, 1868.
General Orders "j
' No. 44. J
Whereas, The laws of Alabama provide that the Sheriff of
a county shall be entitled to receive fifty cents per day, for
victualling a white prisoner in jail, and forty cents for victu-

if

96
ailing a colored prisoner in jail, and as like discriminations
may exist in the other States in this District : it is hereby or
dered : I
I. That from this date, in the several States composing this
Military District, the Sheriff, Jailor or other person entitled
by law to receive fees for victualling or dieting prisoners in
"ail, shall receive the same fees or compensation for victual
ing or dieting a colored prisoner in jail, as is allowed by or
under the authority of law, for victualling or dieting a white
prisoner in the same jail, and to be paid for in like manner.
II. That in all the jails, penitentiaries and other prisons in
this District, colored prisoners shall be entitled to receive
food, the same in quality aud quantity, as may be furnished
to the white prisoners, and that no discrimination as to treat
ment shall be made in any respect, among the prisoners on
account of color or race. This order shall not be construed as
requiring that white and colored prisoners shall be placed in
the same cells, but only ttiat the same provisions shall be
made for the comfort and health of the colored prisoners, as
may be made for the comfort and health of the white prison
ers. By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia, March 21, 1868.
General Orders, j
No. 47. I
The attention of the Commanding General having been
called to the frequent breaches of the peace on river boats ;
and of the failure of the civil authorities to notice the same,
on the ground that said offences were generally committed
outside the limits of the county in which the complaint was
laid; it is therefore ordered.
That any person who shall commit a felony or misdemean
or on board a steamboat or other watercraft plying the navi
gable waters within the jurisdiction of any of the States in
this District, may be arrested and brought to trial for such
offence, in any county in said States where the offender may
be found, before any tribunal having jurisdiction of such felo
ny or misdemeanor. By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant General.

97
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia, April 4, 1868
BENEKAL ORDBBSl
No. 51. ]
I. The recent assassination at- Columbus, Georgia, of the
Hon. G. W. Ashburn, late a member of the Constitutional
convention of said State, and other acts of violence aud atro
city committed about the same time in various parts of this
District, and the simultaneous publication of incendiary arti
cles, and the receipt by many jiersons of threatening letters,
indicating a concert of action, by violence and intimidation,
to alarm and overawe a large part of the pofiulation and by
this means affect the results of pending elections in this Dis
trict, all of which acts apparently emanate from a secret or
ganization, for no good purpose, which seems to be rapidly
spreading through these States, make it necessary for the
Commanding G.'neral to warn all persons against the com
mission of such acts, the publication of such articles, tha
sending of such letters or connecting themselves with such
evil organizations, aud to assure all the good people of this
District that he will use all the powers he possesses to piotect
them in the peaceable enjoyment of their homes and proper
ty, and in the exercise of their personal rights and political
jirivileges. II. He therefore directs all military and civil officers in this
District, to take the most prompt measures to arrest and bring
to trial all persons who may hereafter print, publish or in any
manner.give circulation and publicity to such incendiary pa
pers or threatening letters, and furthermore to arrest all per
sons who may be known to have participated in any such acts
of violence as above referred to, resulting in breaches of tho
peace and injury to persons ol- property.
III. The Commanding General furthermore forbids the con
ductors of all newspapers, job printing offices or other presses
from printing or publishing any articles or papers tending to
produce intimidation, riot or bloodshed ; arid any newspaper
containing any such publications, or press publishing the
sarne will be stopped, and its proprietors, editors and other
parties conected therewith, on being convicted before a mili
tary commission will be subject to fine and imprisonment or
such other penalties as may be deemed suitable to the offence
committed. IV. All public writers and speakers are enjoined to refrain
from inflammatory appeals to the passions and prejudices of
the people, and from publishing or saying anything calculated
to produce breaches of the peace, or to intimidate any persons
from the exercise of their political privileges. *
V. Military Commanders of Posts, Sheriff's of Counties,
Mayors and other municipal officers, are hereby required to
13

98
organize patrols, and other means for the detection of such
persons as avail themselves of the secresy of the night for ex
ecuting their critninal purposes.' Military Commanders of
Posts are required to see that this order is duly and faithfully
executed by the civil authorities within their jurisdiction, and
to promptly report any failure or unwillingness on the part of
said authorities, who will be held subject to the penalties at
tached to disobedience of the orders emanating from these
Headquarters. Military Commanders are authorized and di
rected, when in their judgment the same may be necessary to
organize, from the reliable and law-abiding citizens, posses to
aid in the preservation of law and order in their respective
districts; the expenses attending the pay and maintenance of
these posses to be charged to the several counties or munici
palities as the case may be.
VI. The commanding General calls on all good citizens to
aid in the preservation of the peace, and to assist in the arrest
and punishment of violators of this order and the criminal
laws of the State, and he admonishes them that unless acts of
intimidation and violence are checked and punished, bloody
retaliation may be provoked, the peace of society endangered
or subverted, and much innocent blood be shed.
VII. The commanding officers of all military posts In this
District, will immediately on receipt of this order, cause its
contents to be generally made known, and deliver copies
thereof to all civil officers, editors of newspapers and presses,
and other parties to be specially affected thereby, within the
limits of their commands.
By Order of Major General Mea.de :
(Signed) S. F. B.ARSTO"W,
Acting Assisiant Adjutant General,

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama.)
Atlanta, GJeorgia, April 7, 1868.
General Orders, l
No. 53. )
The attention of the Major General Commanding has been
called to the extraordinary course of First Lieutenant Charles
T. Johnson, loth Regiment Infantry, which he deems so im
portant as to justify comment in this public manner.
The facts of the case are, that Lieutenant Johnson, differing
in opinion with Judge B. T. Pope, of the Circuit Court of Cal
houn county, Alabama, as to the proper construction of Gene
ral Orders Nos. 53 and 55, of 1867— after indicating to Judge
Pope his views, and the Judge failing to comply therewith
proceeded to close the court, arrested the Judge, and, ascer
taining that the Clerk of the Court did not agree in his views
although no act was charged against him, arrested him also'

99
Lieutenant Johnson herein committed two gi.ive errors. In
the first pbiee, had the Judge vinlaied General Orders 53 and
55, there w:is no \v:irrant oi" authority for his arrest by Lieu
tenant Johnson. The power of elosiug courts and arresting
Judges, is vosved alone in the Commanding Genii al of the
Thiixl Militaiy District, and has not been ilolegated, by any
ortlers, to any sub ordinate officer. On the couta-aiy, para
graph I, General Orders Xo. 4, series of ISG7, whilst it requires
subordinate officei~s to report all failures of the civil ofllcers or
tribunals to render equal justice to the people, expres>ly de
clares said civil offlOvMs aud tribunals are not to be intei-tered
¦within the discharge oi' tlioir duties. Lieutenant Johnson
should have confined himself to calling on Judge Pope for ex
planation, and reporting tho facts to tliese Headquarters. His
assumption of authority to arrest, is deserv^ing of the severest
censure, aud is not justitied or palliated by his zeal or consci
entious desire to do his duty, both of which the commanding
General is willing to admit".
In the second place. Lieutenant Johnson erred in judgment,
his eonstnictipn of General Orders -53 and 5o not being correct,
and, so far as tlie Commanding iTeneral can judge from the
eorrespondenoe submitted, the construction of Judge Pope
was sueh as has been ffiven at these Headqaarters. The ob
ject of General larders Xos. -V^ and 55, was r.oi to declare, as
seems to be Lieutenant Johnson's opinion, tiia: all juries must
be in part composed or" colore. I men. and that no juvy v<as le
gal unless colored men were impanelled. The object and in
tent of these orders was simply fo remove the distinction
which the laws of the States in this Di?trict made on the
ground of color, and to add to the qiialilicatioiis for jurors re
quired by the statute, the additional one that all jurors should
be registered voters. It does not appear from the papers sub
mitted that Judge Pope declined obedience to these ordei-s as
thus construed, or that his course was in conflict therewith.
The Commanding General trusts this public disapproval of
the conduct of Lieutenant Johnson will have the effect to
render all subordinate offleei-s cautious, and to i-efrain from
hasty and unauthorized exereise of a power which is only
vested by Jaw in the highest military officer in the District.
By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed^ S. F. B.ARSTOW,
Acting Assisiant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida if- Alabama^)
Atlanta, Georgia, April 10, 1868.
General Orders "j
No. 57. j
I The numerous resignations of Sheriffs of counties in the
State of Georgia that have recenOy been tendered at tliese
Headquarters, coming ou the eve of an important election.

100
and when there is not sufficient time to make new appoint
ments, makes it proper and necessary for the Commanding
General to give notice, that such resignations will not be ac
cepted, and that Sheriffs who have been so long holding their
offices at the sufferance of the Commanding General, will not
be permitted to resign until after said election is over; and
they are hereby required to continue in the faithful perfor
mance of their official duties until relieved from the same by
orders from these Headquarters. Any violation of this order
will be punished in the manner prescribed in General Orders
No. 42, for the punishment of civil officers for disobedience of
orders. II, Inasmuch as a numerous class of the electors of this
State are, from necessity at present, dependent upon another
class for employment by which they may earn daily bread for
themselves and their families, and as numerous complaints
have been made at these Headquarters, that such laborers
Will be intimidated from voting at the approaching election
by fear of the loss of employment ; employers are hereby for
bidden any attempts to control the action or will of their la
borers as to voting, by threats of discharge from employment
or by other oppressive means ; and any person who shall by
such means prevent a laborer from voting £,s he pleases, or
shall discharge him from employment on account of his hav
ing exercised his privileges as a voter, will, on conviction of
such offence before a military commission, be punished by
fine or imprisonment, or both.
III. It is made the duty, as it is certainly the desire of the
Commanding General, tosecure to all the duly registered vo
ters in the State of Georgia an opportunity to vote at the ap
proaching election "freely, and without restraint, fear, or the
influence of fraud," and he calls upon all good citizens to co
operate with him in his efforts to have the election conducted
fairly as required by law.
By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
As.sistant Adjutani Oeneral.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Alabama and Florida.)
Atlanta, Georgia, April 11, 1868.
General Orders, ]
No. 58. )
I. The uncertainty which seems to exist in regard to hold
ing municipal elections on the 20th instant, and the frequent
enquiries addressed to these Headquarters, renders it neces
sary for the Commanding General to announce that said elec
tions are not authorized by any orders from these Headquar-

lOi
ters. Managers of elections are hereby prohibited from re
ceiving any votes, for any offices except such offices as are
provided for in the Constitution to be submitted for ratifica
tion — the voting for which officers is authorized by General
Orders Nos. 40 and 52.
II. Complaints having been made to these Headquarters by
planters and others, that improper means are being used to
cnmpel laborers to leave their work to attend political meet
ings, and threats being made that, in case of refusal, penalties
will be attached to said refusal : the Major General command
ing announces that all such attempts to control the mo\e-
ments of laborers and interfere with the rights of employers,
is strictly forbidden, and will be considered, and on conviction
will be punished, the same as any attempts to dbssuade and
prevent voters from going to the PoUs, as referred to in para
graph II, Gteneral Orders No. 57.
III. The Major General commanding also makes known
that, whilst he acknowledges and will require to be respected
the right of laborers to peaceably assemble at night to discuss
political questions, yet he discountenances and forbids the
assembling of armed bodies and requires that all such assem
blages shal notify either the military or civil authorities of
these proposed meetings, and said military and civil authori
ties are enjoined to see that the right of electors to peaceably
assemble for legitimate purposes is not disturbed.
IV. The wearing or carrying of arms, either concealed or
otherwise by persons not connected with the military service
of the government or such civil officers whose duty under the
laws and orders it is to preserve the public peace, at, or in the
vicinity of the polling places, on the days set apart for hold
ing the election in the State of Georgia, is positively forbid
den. Civil and military officers will see that this order, as
well as all others relating to the preservation of the peace and"
qniet of the counties in which they are acting, is strictly ob
served. V. The commanding officers sub-Districts of Georgia and
Florida, will take prompt measures to give publicity to this
order through the Superintendents of Registration and the
officers of the Freedmen's Bureau, and will enjoin on the lat
ter to instruct and advise the freedmen in their rights and
duties. By order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia. April 24, 1868.
oenebal obdebs 1
No. 69. j
Application having been made to the commanding General
for permission to allow persons convicted of minor oflences,

102
by civil courts, to work out the fines imposed on them on the
public highway.
It is hereby ordered. That Sub-District commanders, may
on the application of the proper civil authorities, allow the
employment on the public highway, at a fair compensation,
of all such persons, (jteat care will be taken that this au
thority is not abused by overworking the prisoners or retain
ing them longer in confinement than is necessary.
The use of the ball and chain is permitted in cases where it
is impracticable to furnish the proper guard, or when there is
danger of escape ; but this order is not intended to revive or
authorize the use of the chain gang, previously prohibited.
By Order of Major General Meade:
(Signed) ' R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama,)
Atlanta, Georgia, May 20, 1868.
Oeneral Orders ]
No. 80.
So much of the sentences of the pri.soners, {William. Pettir
grew, Prank H. Munday, Hugh L. White, Thomas W. Rob
erts, James Steele, John Cullen,, and Samuel Strayhorn, citi
zens,) sentenced by General Orders No 72, to coniinement at
hard labor at the Dry Tortugas, as remains unexpired, ou the
receipt of this order at Fort Jefferson, is hereby remitted, and
the prisoners will be discharged.
In thus early releasing these prisoners, the Major General
Commanding trusts the clemency extended towards them
WiU not be misunderstood. These misguided and thought
less young men were convicted, after a fair trial, of acts of vi
olence and outrage against a citizen with the object of driving
him out of the State. The frequent complaints of similar
conduct, and the failure of the civil authorities to repress the
evil, rendered it necessary to exercise the power conferred on
him by law, and bring these prisoners before a military tri
bunal. Their conviction and punishment having, however
vindicated the principle involved, the Commanding General'
in view of the suffering imposed on the relatives and friends
of the prisoners, of the promises made of future good conduct
and in the belief tnat a proper example, earlier made, might
have deterred the prisoners from committing the offence, has
directed the discharge of the prisoners.
The Commanding General takes this occasion to state that
similar clemency need not be expected in future, and he
warns tlie people of his District that he is. determined to sup
press" all lawlessness and violence, and all attempts of indi-

103
viduals to take the law into their own hands, or to decide who
shall or shall not live in the country. To protect every per
son in his rights of person and property, is made by the law
the paramount duty of the Commanding General, and it is
well the people of the District and the authorities having in
charge the preservation of the peace, and the execution of the
laws, should know that he is determined to exercise all the
power under his command In the discharge of tbis duty, and
that hereafter, no considerations such as are here allowed,
will influence him to relieve the guilty from the just punish
ment awarded them.
By Order of Major General IiIeade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
(Department of Georgia, Florida & Alabama,)
Atlanta, Geoegia, May 22, 186&.
OENEBAIi obdebs 1

No. 8L
Application having been made to the Commanding General for a
change in an act of the legislature of the Staie of Alabama, approved
February 10, 1866, in so far as the benefits of said act are coniinid to
soldiers disabled and wounded in tbe so-called confederate service ;
and believingthat there is no stood reason why thp.se benefits should not
be extended to all persons disabled from obtaining a livelihood by
manual labor, it is ordered.
That the aforesaid act is hereby modified so as to substitute for the
words ''any disabled and wounded soldier in tbe late confederate
army," the words " all crippled persons disabled from obtaining a live
lihood by manual labor," and in lieu of the words "soldiers" and
"soldier," wherever they occur in said act or the preamble thereto,
to sub.-^titute the words " pei-.sons" and " person."
The aet thus amended will read as follows, and govern in all courts
granting peddling permits or license :
An Act authorizing tbe court of county commissioners of this State,
(Alabama) to license and permit all crippled persons disabled from
obtaining a livelihood by manual labor to peddle free of tax in their
respective counties :
Skction 1. Be it enacted, ^c. That tbe several courts of county
commissioners of this State have power to grant a license to all crip
pled persons disabled from obtaining a livelihood by manual labor,
that said court of the county of tbe residence of said person, may find
worthy to peddle with tlie limits of said count}', which said license
shall exempt Said person from all tax, both state and county, which
may be imposed by law upon peddlers in this state.
By order of Major General Mkade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant Oeneral.

104
HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia Florida and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Geobsia, July 2, 1868.
General Orders, "j
No. 95. J
Whereas, The first section of the 7th Article of the Consti
tution of the State of Georgia, provides as follows :
I. Each head of a family, or guardian, or trustee of a family
of minor children, shall be entitled to a homestead of a realty
to the value of two thousand dollars in specie, and personal pro
perty to the value of one thousand dollars in specie, both to be
valued at the time they are set apart. And no Court, or min
isterial officer in this State shall ever have jurisdiction or
authoritj', to enforce any judgment, decree, or execution
against said property so set apart lincluding such improve
ment as may be made thereon from time to time) except for
taxes, money borrowed and expended in the improvement of
the" homestead, or for the purchase money of the same, and
for labor done thereon, or material furnished therefor, or re
moval of encumbrances thereon. And it shall be the duty of
the General Assembly, as early as practicable, to provide by
law for the setting apart and valuation of said property, and
to enact laws for the full and complete protection and security
of the same to the sole use and benefit of said families as afore
said. And whereas the Legislature of said State is to assemble on
the 4th instant, it is ordered :
1. That no court or ministerial officer in said State shall
have jurisdiction or authority to enforce any judgment, de
cree or execution against any real estate in said State, except
for taxes, money borrowed and expended in the improvement
of the homestead or for the purchase money of the same and
for labor done thereon, or material furnished therefor, or re
moval of incumbrance thereon, until the Legislature of said
Btate shall have had time to provide by law for the setting
apart and valuation of such property, or until further orders
from these Headquarters.
By Order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT,
{Department of Georgia, Floridu and Alabama.)
Atlanta, Georgia, July 14, 1868,
General Orders, ]
No. 101. ' J
"Whereas, official information" has been received at these
Headquarters, from the Governor-elect of the State of Ala-

105
bama, that the Legislature of said State, elected under the
provisions of General Order No. 101, series of 1867, from these
H eadquarters, has assembled and complied with the requisi
tions of the Act of Congress, which became a law June 25,
1868, entitled an Act to admit the States of North Carolina,
South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and Florida, to
representation in Congress; aud whereas said act states that on
compliance with the conditions therein set forth by any State,
the officers of said State, duly elected and qualified under the
Constitution thereof, shall be inaugurated without delay ; It
is therefore ordered,
I. That all civil officers, holding office in the State, whether
by military appointment or by failure to have successors quar
li'fied, shall promptly yield their offices and turn over to their
properly elected and qualified successors, all public property,
archives, books, records, &c., belonging to the same.
II. "Whenever the military commander of the sub-District
of Alabama, is officially notified of the inauguration of the
State Government elect, military authority under the Acts of
Congress, known as the Reconstruction Laws, will be at an
end in said State; and it is made the duty of the sub- District
commander to transfer everything appertaining to the govern
ment of said State to the proper civil officers, and to abstain
in future, upon any pretext whatever, from any interference
with or control over the civil authorities of the State, or the
persons and property of the citizens thereof.
III. On the inauguration of the civil government, all priso
ners held in custody or by bonds for offences against the civil
law, wiU be turned over to the proper civil authority. In the
meantime writs of habeas corpus from United States Courts
will be respectfully obeyed and the decisions conformed to.
"Writs from State Courts will have respectful returns made,
stating prisoners are held by authority of the United States,
and can only be released by writs issued by United States
Courts. By Order of Major General Meade :
(Signed) R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General.

[Similar orders were given with reference to the States of
Georgia and Florida.}

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