August 8, 1862
On August 8, 1862, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton issued a special order authorizing law enforcement officials to arrest anyone engaged in discouraging volunteer enlistments or engaged in disloyal practices against the United States.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, D. C., August 8, 1862.
ORDER AUTHORIZING ARRESTS OF PERSONS DISCOURAGING ENLISTMENTS.
Ordered:
1. That all U. S. marshals and superintendents or chiefs of police of any town, city, or district be, and they are hereby, authorized and directed to arrest and imprison any person or persons who may be engaged, by act, speech, or writing, in discouraging volunteer enlistments, or in any way giving aid and comfort to the enemy, or in any other disloyal practice against the United States.
2. That immediate report be made to Major L. C. Turner, judge- advocate, in order that such may be tried before a military commission.
3. The expenses of such arrest and imprisonment will be certified to the chief clerk of the War Department for settlement and payment.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War
