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Headquarters District of Mississippi

Jackson, ____________, 1865.

The Commanding Officer,

Post of ____________

SIR:

The Major General Commanding directs that the following instructions be conveyed to you, for your guidance in your present command:

Not to interfere in civil disputes is a general rule from which you are not to deviate, except in cases where the Governmen is interested or the community liable to suffer from theft, trespass, or other criminal act.

To the Treasury Department is given the collection of captured property; and you are to render such facilities as may be required by its officials in securing and conveying public property.

Give encouragement and all proper assistance to those who wish to return to their former civil pursuits. Questions between the whites and blacks must be settled with a view to induce the latter to remain at their old homes, whenever their former masters recognize their freedom and engage to pay them for their labor. The blacks are at all times to be protected against outrages. Vagrancy must not be permitted among the negroes : all must work.

The issue of rations to destitutes must be closely watched; and the Government protected against reckless and swindling practices. Those who, with proper will, are able to support themselves are not to be furnished rations after a reasonable time has been allowed them in which to find employment.

All public, or Confederate records, which may be within your reach, are to be taken possession of and stored until further orders.

Collectors of the "Tax-in-Kind" will be required to present their accounts for examination, without delay; and all Government provisions in their possession will be turned over to the Commissary Department for issue to the destitute.

Severely punish all cases of marauding by your troops; and let there arise no occasion of complaint against them by the citizens.

Make prompt arrests of all disturbers of the peace, outlaws, guerrillas, and abusers of negroes, promptly reporting the graver cases to the Provost Marshal General at these Headquarters. Leave nothing undone to promote industry, good order, good feeling; at the same time causing the weight of military authority to be felt by the people as seldom as possible, consistent with these instructions.

I am, Sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

[[Warren Miller]]

Assistant Adjutant General.

Col. Samuel Thomas