WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City,
D.C., June 10, 1862.
Col. GEORGE F. SHEPLEY,
Military Governor of Louisiana,
New Orleans, La.:
SIR: The commission you have received expresses on its face
the nature and extent of the duties and power devolved on you by the
appointment of Military Governor of Louisiana. Instructions have been given to
Major-General Butler to aid you in the performance of your duty and the
exercise of your authority. He has also been instructed to detail an adequate
military force for the special purpose of a governor's guard and to act under
your directions. It is obvious to you that the great purpose of your appointment
is to re-establish the authority of the Federal Government in the State of
Louisiana, and provide the means of maintaining peace and security to the loyal
inhabitants of that State until they shall be able to establish a civil
government. Upon your wisdom and energetic action much will depend in
accomplishing the result. For your instruction in respect to the manner of
dealing with international rights, I inclose a letter
of Hon. William H. Seward to me, under the date of the 3d instant, and it
is the desire of the President that your official action shall conform to the
views and policy indicated therein. It is not deemed necessary to give any
specific instructions, but rather to confide in your sound discretion to adopt
such measures as circumstances may demand. Specific instructions will be given
when requested. You may rely upon the perfect confidence and full support of
the Department in the performance of your duties.
With respect, I am,
your obedient servant,
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III,
Volume 2 (Serial No. 123), p. 141
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