August 6, 1861
HEAD-QUARTERS
OF THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
WESTERN VIRGINIA
CLARKSBURG, Va., July 28th, 1861.
General Orders No.
Numerous instances of plunder, by teamsters in the employment of the United States Quartermaster's Department - and others, - of citizens along the train routes, having been reported or discovered: it is hereby ordered -
1.No officer nor soldier, nor person employed in the service of the United States, shall enter the houses or enclosures of inhabitants of Western Virginia, without permission from the owners thereof, except in cases of absolute necessity, nor shall they use threats or intimidation to obtain such consent. It is also forbidden to take food, or other property, without absolute necessity, nor then, without providing full compensation therefore. Persons violating these prohibitions will be regarded as trespassers and plunderers - and most severely punished.
2.Commanders of trains, escorts, and troops moving, will be held responsible for the observance of these prohibitions, by those under their command, and a failure therein, or to report offenders for punishment, will expose them to be tried as participators in the crime. It is earnestly enjoined on all officers to do their utmost to ferret out the perpetrators of outrages on the rights of citizens, by persons apparently in government employ, in order that thieves and plunderers, who follow the army or attach themselves to it, may be prevented from disgracing our arms.
By order of Brigadier General Rosecrans
C. KINGEENY, JR.,
Act. Ast. Adj't. General.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: July 1861