Jno. A. Rawlins, November 9, 1862

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE,
November 9, 1862.

In the Field, La Grange, Tenn., No. 2. November 9, 1862.

Hereafter stoppages will be made on muster and pay rolls against divisions for the full amount of depredations committed by any number or numbers of the division unless the act can be traced either to the individuals committing them or to the company, regiment, or brigade to which the offenders belong.

In all cases the punishment will be assessed to the smallest organization eontaining the guilty parties.

Confiscation acts were never intended to be executed by soldiers, and if they were the General Government should have full benefit of all property of which individuals are deprived. A stoppage of pay against offenders will effect this end,and it is to be hoped will correct this growing evil. It ig not only the duty of commissioned officers to correct this evil, but of all good men in the ranks to report every violation, and it is determined now that they shall have a pecuniary interest in doing so. Assessments will also be made against commissioned officers in the proportion of their pay proper. ;

Where offenses of the nature contemplated in this order are traced to individuals they will be summarily punished to the full extent formerly given to garrison court-martials, or be arrested and tried by a general court-martial, according to the enormity of the offense, and the severest penalties provided imposed and executed. :

This order will be read on dress-parades before each regiment and detachment for three successive evenings.

By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant:

Assistant Adjutant-General.