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War Department.
Adjutant General's Office.
Washington April 9" 1866.

Bv't. Maj. Genl. J.M. Brannan
Comd'g Dept. of Georgia
Augusta Ga.

The Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen &c. for the State of Georgia having inquired whether the Presidents recent Proclamation removes martial law, and stated that the Department Commander does not feel authorized to arrest parties who have committed outrages on freed people or Union refugees, the Secretary of War, with the approval of the President directs me to inform your that the Presidents Proclamation does not remove martial law or operate in any way upon the Freedmen's Bureau in the exercise of its legitimate jurisdiction. It is not expedient however to resort to Military tribunals in any case, where justice can be obtained through the medium of civil authority.

(Signed) E. D. Townsend
Assistant Adjutant General

(over)