ur state guarantee you full redress for private
injuries; you will therefore leave all disputes and wrongs to be
settled by them and by the military authority of the United States,
and it is only against the armed force of marauders that you will
resort to the use of these arms; remember, always, that you are not
soldiers, but citizens.

'You will promptly report to your own officers and to the military
commander of this post any information you may obtain of armed forces
of marauders; and in case of emergency you are authorized to act as a
military body in pursuing them. The commanding officer will always
extend to you aid, both in men and subsistence, so far as lies in his
power, but you must, like free and independent citizens, place
yourselves, by industrious labor, as soon as possible, beyond the
necessity of federal support.

'Let your conduct among your late enemies be such as will elicit their
friendship.

'By assisting me to carry out the magnanimous policy of our government
you will soon have peace and security restored to your community, and
happiness and plenty to yourselves and your families.

'By order of
'COL. H. MATTSON, Commanding.

'P. E. FOLSOM, Lieutenant and Post Adjutant.'

"In a remarkably short time the news of the policy thus announced spread
to the most remote parts of the district, and had a very beneficial
effect. It inspired hope and confidence everywhere. The disloyal people
came out of their hiding places, and, with apparent sincerity and
gratitude, took the oath of allegiance, and went to work as good
citizens to perform their part in the work of reconstruction. Union men
and rebels shook hands over the bloody chasm, and agreed to bury the
past and work together for a better future.

"Soon another class of people came in large numbers to seek help and
protection from the Union forces. It was the poverty-stricken old men,
and the women and children who had lost their natural protectors. It
was a sight sad enough to move the stoutest hearts to look at their
helplessness and misery, and I never had a more pleasant duty to perform
than that of relieving their wants at the expense of our generous
government. The department commander had placed a steamboat at my
disposal, and given me unlimited power to draw on the commissary stores
at Duvall's Bluff. That steamer made regular trips with supplies for
all who w