Headquarters, Army of the Mississippi,
July 14, 1862.
General Orders No. 92:
For the information of all in the command, the following explanations are given, in reference to the rights and duties of citizens of the States in which we may be stationed.
1. All citizens of the States claiming the rights, and holding themselves bound to the duties of citizens of the United States are entitled to the same protection of person and property, which we claim for ourselves.
2. We hold citizens to the performance of active duties, only when they receive protection; if left without protection, they are bound only to good will and abstinence from all acts of hostility to the Government.
3. Persons denying that they are citizens of the United States, repudiating the duties of citizens, by words or actions, are entitled to no rights, save those which the laws of war and humanity accord to their characters.
If they claim to belong to a hostile government, they have the rights of belligerents, and can neither justly claim, nor have anything more from the army. If they are found making war, without lawful organization or commission, they are enemies of mankind, and have the rights due to pirates and robbers, which it will be a duty to accord them.
It is not our purpose to admit the slaves of loyal masters within our lines, or use them without compensation, or prevent their recovery, when consistent with the interest of the service.
The slaves of our enemies may come or go wherever they please, provided they do not interfere with the rules and orders of camp and discipline. They deserve more at our hands than their masters.
By order of General Rosecrans,
(Signed) W. L. Elliott,
Brig. Gen’l. and Chief of Staff.
(Official, R. O. Selfridge, Asst. Adjt. Gen’l.)
