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

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Incomplete 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

Criminal Procedure--Amnesty Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Charges and specifications (Courts-martial)Criminal Procedure--Execution Criminal Procedure--Imprisonment Criminal Procedure--Indictments Mississippi. Legislation. Chapter XVI (1863)Trial

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army Mississippi. Militia

Organizations and Businesses

Boards of Police Courts Courts--Circuit Courts Grand jury Mississippi. Executive Department Probate courts

Occupations

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

Places

Macon (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Military Status--Military deserters

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CHAS. CLARK
Governor of Mississippi

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 milita. All such who will arm themselves, and serve faithfully and diligently for thiry 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 the grand jury. I have ordered the general court martial for their trial to adjourn until the 20th December. All defaulting militamen reported by you I shall order to be arrested. You will summon them to attend the court martial of their district for trial on 20th December next.

You are the chief executive officers of your counties. To you I look for the due enforcement 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 deliever themselves up must be captured, and if they resist they must be shot. If the force of the county is not suffcient you must have such additional force as may be necessary. The Judge 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 igno-menious punishment to the offender, humanity requires, as duty to your country enjoins, that you be vigilant. But a few days only can be given before the Proclamation will be [page torn] you will have notice. It is also your duty to arrest all persons liable to [page torn]eliver them [page torn]

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Letter recieved by Gov. Clark in 1864

L.M.