Yankee laws for the Government of the old North State.
General Schofield has issued a series of orders, by which the people of North Carolina who have fallen under his rule are to be governed. We copy some paragraphs from the series:For the government of the Department, General Schofield has issued General Order No. 8:
- I. Provost marshals in this Department will administer the oath of allegiance to such persons as come within the provisions of the Amnesty Proclamation of the President of the United States, provided they are satisfied that such persons desire, in good faith, to aid in restoring the National authority, and that they take the oath of allegiance cheerfully and voluntarily.
- II. Reports will be made weekly to the provost marshal general, giving the name, age and place of residence of every person who shall have subscribed to the oath of allegiance; also, of all other adult white persons residing within the jurisdiction of each provost marshal, together with such information as can be obtained touching the character of each individual.
- III. Persons of known disloyalty, and those who shall, by their language or conduct, manifest hostility to the Government of the United States, shall be sent beyond the lines of the army by an order from the provost-marshal general, or be brought before a military commission for trial and punishment, according to the nature of the offence.
- IV. Officers authorized by law to appoint general courts martial are empowered to appoint military commissions, and to confirm and execute the sentences of such commissions, with the same limitations as in the case of general courts martial.
- V. Commercial intercourse within the limits of this department will be governed strictly by the laws of the United States and the regulations of the Treasury Department, and will be limited to that which may be necessary to supply the wants of the loyal people residing within the lines of military occupation and persons within the employ of the Government. None but persons of undoubted loyalty and good character will be permitted to trade within the limits of the department.
- VI. Intercourse between towns occupied by the army and the surrounding country, within the lines of military occupation, will be permitted under regulations to be established by the provost-marshall general, for the purpose of enabling the inhabitants to supply themselves with the necessaries of life.
- VII. The loyal people of the country, residing within the lines of the army, will be permitted to bring freely to market the products of their farms, and to receive in payment the currency of the United States. They will also be permitted to purchase family supplies from persons authorized to trade, upon permits granted by the local provost-marshals.
- VIII. Railroads and telegraph lines are under special military protection.--Any person who shall break, injure, or in any manner interfere with their military use, or shall fire into any railroad train, or any vessel navigating the waters of this department, shall be punished with death or otherwise, at the discretion of a military commission.
- IX. The destruction of property, public or private, is a waste of the national wealth, and alike injurious to the people and the Government. It is, therefore, to be avoided, except where military operations render it necessary. The highest commander present must alone be the judge of such necessity.
- X. The troops will be supplied with such of the products of the country, especially vegetables, as are necessary for their health and comfort. This must be done by the proper staff officers, acting under the orders of the division and brigade commanders.
- XI. Straggling and irregular foraging by individuals are prohibited, and will be severely punished.
A portion of Sherman's army at Wilmington.
A telegram from Fortress Monroe reports the arrival of two steamers there from Fort Fisher, and adds:They sailed from Smithville on the 1st instant at 11 o'clock A. M., and shortly before they left, the steamer General Meigs arrived from Wilmington, North Carolina, bringing the report, which was generally credited by the army and navy officers stationed at Smithville, that a portion of General Sherman's army had arrived at, and was marching through, Wilmington, North Carolina, from which it is conjectured that a junction with General Schofield has been effected.
