S. Williams to ORDERS, y HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, December 16, 1861
[ CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, December 16, 1861.
The Major-Genéral Commanding directs that hereafter all deserters, prisoners, spies, “”contrabands,” and all other persons whatever coming or brought within our lines from Virginia shall be taken immediately to the quarters of the commander of the division within whose lines they may come or be brought, without previous examination by any one, except so far as may be necessary for the officer commanding the advance guard to elicit information regarding his particular post; that the division commander examine, all such persons himself, or delegate such duty to a proper officer of his staff, and allow no other persons to hold any communication with them; that he then immediately send them, with a sufficient guard, to the provost-marshal in this city for
further examination and safe-keeping, and that stringent orders be given to all guards –
having such persons in charge not to hold any communication with them whatever; and, further, that the information elicited from such persons shall be immediately communicated to the major-general commanding or to the chief of staff, and to-no other person whatever. , :
The Major-General Commanding further directs that a sufficient guard be placed around every telegraph station pertaining to this army, and that such guards be iny
structed not to allow any person, except the regular telegraph corps, general officers, –
and such staff officers as may be authorized by their chief, to enter or loiter áround said stations within hearing of the sound of the telegraph instruments.
By command of Major-General McClellan :
Assistant Adjutant- General..
GENERAL ORDERS, y HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
No. 72. Washington, February 26, 1862.
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All deserters from the enemy, prisonefs, and other persons coming within our lines
will be taken at once to the provost-marshal of the nearest division, who will examine
them in presence of the division commander, or an officer of his staff designated for the