Incomplete printed circular from Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; November 16, 1864

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Incomplete printed circular from Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; November 16, 1864

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877

Events

Confederate States of America--Draft Confederate States of America--Draft. Evasion Confederate States of America. Army. General Order No. 64 Criminal Procedure--Amnesty Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Charges and specifications (Courts-martial)Criminal Procedure--Execution Criminal Procedure--Imprisonment Criminal Procedure--Indictments Military Events--Military leaves and furloughs Military Events--Recruiting and enlistment Trial

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Mississippi. Militia

Organizations and Businesses

Boards of Police Confederate States of America. Executive Department Courts Courts--Circuit Courts Grand jury Probate courts

Occupations

Clerks Conscript officers Constables Judges Justices of the peace Probate law and practice Sheriffs

Places

Macon (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Military Status--Draft resisters Military Status--Military deserters

Page 1

CIRCULAR TO SHERIFFS.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
MACON, MISS., Nov. 16, 1864

On the first instant I issued a Proclamation of amnesty to deserters, and others absent without leave from the army. It is your duty by law to arrest and deliver them at a military post, (see act January 3, 1863, page 87.) For this purpose you can summon to your assistance the posse commetatis—every man in your county. Summon those especially who neglected to respond to my late call for the militia. All such who will arm themselves and serve faithfully and diligently for thirty days will be excused from the penalties for their disobedience of orders; if they refuse, they are, in addition to those penalties, liable to indictment by [page torn] grand jury. I have ordered the general court martial for their trial to adjourn until the 20th December. All defaulting militiamen reported by you I shall order to be arrested. You will summon them to attend the court martial of their district for trial on the 20th December next.

You are the chief executive officers of your counties. To you I look for the due enforce-ment of the laws. My Proclamation gives certain security to all who promptly avail them-selves of its offer. You will give to each a certificate in writing, stating the date of his delivering himself up to you; and return to me a list of their names, showing the company and regiment to which each belongs, that I may make my promise sure Such as refuse or neglect to deliver themselves up must be captured, and if they resist they must be shot. If the force of the county is not sufficent you must have such additional force as may be necessary. The Judges of Probate, Clerks of the Probate and Circuit Courts, members of the Boards of Police, and all Justices of the Peace and Constables, are required by the statute to give you prompt information and assistance at all times. For failure in this duty they are liable to indictment, forfeiture of office, fine and imprisonment.

Now, that you can discharge this disagreeable but essential duty without causing igne-menious punishment to the offender, humanity requires, as duty to your country enjoins, that you be vigilant. But a few days can only be given before the Proclamation will be revoked, of which you will have notice. It is also your duty to arrest all persons liable to conscription, and deliver them to the enrolling officer. (See the 2nd section of the act.) If you perform this duty you will render the highest service to your country in this her hour of peril.

[page torn]

Page 2

[note] Letters received by Gov. Clark in 1864
F & G [/note]