Thursday, May 28, 2020

Edwin M. Stanton to Colonel George F. Shepley, June 10, 1862

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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