William S. Rosecrans to W. P. Innes, August 15, 1863

August 15, 1863—11 a. m.

You have done wrong in interfering with our operations. Hereafter all facilities you desire in telegraphing should be made known to these headquarters. All control of operations is confided to the

chief, Captain Van Duzer. W.S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

NASHVILLE, August 15, 1863—10.20 a. m.

Lieut. GEORGE BURROUGHS, U. S. Engineers :

The railroad bridge across the Cumberland River is obstructed by reason of repairs. I have an order from Brigadier-General Granger to put the bridge up immediately. Lieutenant Irvin will now return the barge he took. Can you not get an order from General Rosecrans for another barge, as the river is now too low to get the one from Carthage? There are barges now in port which could be used. I have the pontoon wagons ready. Lieutenant Webb sent saddle

by express. JAMES R. WILLETT, Lieutenant, Commanding Engineer Detachment.

GENERAL ORDERS, Hpgrs. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, No. 199. t Winchester, Tenn., August 15, 1863. I. It is the earnest desire of the general commanding that all peaceful as well as loyalcitizens of Tennessee should receive all possible protection to person and property ; that they should resume the exercise of their political and civil rights under the Constitution of Tennessee and of the United States.

I. I. Since the rebel power has been driven from Middle Tennessee numbers of men have left their army ; they and others scattered through the country are in danger of being assembled into lawless bands for theft, pillage, and violence under the name of guerrilla warfare. To prevent this, which would destroy the whole country, the general commanding earnestly warns all such persons not to engage in such a criminal course. If they wish to oppose the Government of the United States, they must take upon themselves the uniform and subject themselves to the duties and restrictions of regularly organized rebel soldiers. If taken within the country subject to our control in disguise, roaming as individuals or banding with other brigands, and living by stealing and plundering, they will be treated as spies or robbers, enemies of the human race, against whbm it is the duty of all, both military and civilians, to wage a war of extermination.

III. Since it is’for the salvation of civil society, no persons within the limits of this command will be exemptéd from the duty of using their utmost efforts to put a stop to any attempt to inaugurate a te tem of plunder, rapine, and murder under the name of guerrill warfare. In enforcing this duty the general commanding will follow the old rule of common law, and hold the inhabitants of each locality responsible for the guerrilla warfare practiced in their midst, and unless satisfied that they have done their full duty and used their utmost efforts to stop it, will lay waste their country and render it untenable for robbers.

I. V. Peaceful inhabitants, without regard to political sympathies, being equally interested in preventing the ruin of their country, are counseled and enjoined to unite in putting a final end to all lawless and individual warfare, robbing, and Dre under the name of partisans and guerrillas. To this end they must use all the moral influence they can bring to bear, warning those who threaten, publicly denouncing the practice, and giving information which will lead to the prevention of the crimes or the capture and punishment of the. offenders. They will further be permitted to resume the freeman’s right of bearing arms in self-defense whenever and wherever the Military Governor of the State and the department commander deem it practicable without involving the risk of their being captured and used against the Government.

V. All persons heretofore acting with the rebellion and desirous of becoming peaceable citizens, are referred to General Orders, No. 175, for the terms upon which it will be allowed. *

By command of Major-General Rosecrans :