Viewing page 202 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

OFFICIAL

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, Montgomery, Ala., April 16, 1867.}
General Orders, No. 8.
 I. Complaints of hardship in the needless apprenticing of minors, particularly in pursuance of the preference given to the "former owner" in the law, have been almost incessant. It is enjoined upon Probate Judges, upon application, to revise the action taken in such cases, and as a rule to revoke indentures made within the past two years, of minors who were capable of self-support.
 II. The attention of Magistrates is called to the repeat by the last Legislature of the "Vagrant Law," approved December 15, 1865, and published with the code. Attempts which are still made to put it into execution, will hereafter be the subject of military cognizance.
 III. The use of "chain-gangs" as a mode of legal punishment, being found to involve serious abuses, will be henceforth discontinued except in connection with the Penitentiary.
 By command of Major Gen. Swayne.
OFFICIAL: J.F. CONYNGHAM,
1st Lieut. 24th U.S. Infantry, A.A.A.G
ap18