Note C — PRISON LIFE IN THE OLD CAPITOL
Reading edition
When General Pope was placed in command of the Army of Virginia, he issued a General Order to his soldiers which virtually gave them unbridled license to plunder and destroy, by depriving the citizens of the section of country through which they were passing of even the trifling amount of protection afforded by safeguards, as may be seen by the copy of the Order here shown:
Headquarters, Army of Virginia }
Washington, July 25th.
General Orders No. 13.—Hereafter no guards will be placed over private houses or private property of any description whatever. Commanding officers are responsible for the conduct of the troops under their command, and the articles of war and the regulations of the army provide ample means for restraining them to the full extent required for discipline and efficiency. Soldiers were called into the field to do battle against the enemy, and it is not expected that their force and energy shall be wasted in protecting private property of those most hostile to the government. No soldier serving in this army shall be hereafter employed on such service.
By Command of Major-Gen. Pope, (Signed), Geo. D. Ruggles, Col. A. A. G. and Chief of Staff.