Thomas W. Sherman to L. H. Pelouze, November 11, 1861

No. 24. Hilton Head, S. O., November 11, 1861.

The general commanding is pained to know that some of the troops of his command have, without orders, invaded the premises of private individuals and committed gross depredations upon their property, and what he considers a matter of stil graver character and most prejudicial to the discipline of the command and the interests of the service is, that some commissioned officers (it is hoped but few) have not only connived at these outrages, but have actually participated in them.

The rights of citizens to be secure in their property and the character of the Ameriean Army are too important to allow such transaetions to go unrebuked. The first duty of the soldier is the protection of the citizen. The political character of the citizen is not to be judged and weighed in this manner by the soldier, and there must be by him no molestation of his lawful rights. The Government alone is to decide how far the present unfortunate condition of this portion of the eountry is to authorize or demand a departure from the well-settled principles of American law.

Brigade commanders and all other commanding officers will at once see that these depredations cease, and endeavor to ascertain the names of the perpetrators, that they may be brought to justice.

All horses, cattle, and other private property which have been taken off any of the plantations and now in the hands of officers or soldiers, will be immediately surrendered to the chief quartermaster, who will cause an inventory to be taken of the same, stating, if practicable, to whom the property belongs, and make a report to these headquarters.

I. I. All publie property left by the enemy, such as muskets, accouterments, &c., and now in the hands of soldiers or citizens, will be immediately turned over to the chief ordnance officer, Lieut. Francis J. Shunk.

III. All persons found outside the pickets without a pass will be arrested and reported to these headquarters.

By order of Brigadier-General T. W. Sherman: