The commanding
general publishes, for the information of all concerned, that hereafter all
persons found within our lines who commit acts for the benefit of the enemies
of our country will be tried as spies or traitors, and, if convicted, will
suffer death. This order includes the following class of persons: Carriers of
secret mails; writers of letters sent by secret mails; secret recruiting officers
within the lines; persons who have entered into an agreement to pass our lines
for the purpose of joining the enemy; persons found concealed within our lines
belonging to the service of the enemy, and, in fact, all persons found
improperly within our lines who could give private information to the enemy,
and all persons within our lines who harbor, protect, conceal, feed, clothe, or
in any way aid the enemies of our country. The habit of declaring sympathy for
the enemy will not be allowed in this department. Persons committing such
offenses will be at once arrested, with a view to being tried as above stated,
or sent beyond our lines into the lines of their friends.
It must be
distinctly understood that treason, expressed or implied, will not be tolerated
in this department.
All officers and
soldiers are strictly charged with the execution of this order.
By command of
Major-General Burnside:
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