Lot 369
Confederate Broadside Citing Penalties For Civilians in Possession of CS Arms and Equipment. General Orders No. 6, 1p, 7"x5¼", Hd. Qrs. Dept. W. VA. & E. Tenn., Abingdon, VA, 1863 Oct. 29. Fine. An obscure military order that followed from an 1863 Confederate Congressional Act that made it illegal for civilians to "procure or entice soldiers of the Confederate States to desert," or to be in possession of government property, specifically "arms, uniform, clothing, or any part thereof." Given by order of Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones. In reality, this document is a very serious attempt to publicly subvert the growing epidemic of army desertion by co-opting civilians that might be found in possession of contraband soldier's equipment. In regions such as western Virginia and eastern Tennessee, loyalties were either divided or suspect; this order gave authorities added legal means to prosecute civilians who might also be Union sympathizers or, worse, armed bushwhackers and bandits.
Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,200.
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