War Bulletin

Official Executive Order No. 2, in Relation to the State Prisoners.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 1862

It is ordered, First, that a special commission of two persons, one from the military ranks and the other in civil life, shall be appointed to examine the cases of the state prisoners remaining in the military custody of the United States, and to determine whether, in view of the public safety and the existing rebellion, they should be discharged or remain in military custody, or be remitted to the civil tribunal for trial.

Second, That Maj. Gen. John A. Dix, Commanding in Baltimore, and Hon. Edward Pierpont of New York, be and are hereby appointed Commissioners for the purposes above mentioned, and they are authorized to examine, hear, and determine, the cases aforesaid ex parte, and in a summary manner at such times and places as in their discretion they may appoint and make full report to the War Department.

By order of the President.

(Signed)

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3