Description

This broadside announces the official order of July 22, 1864, received by the Commander and Provost Marshal, John J. Yellott, that all persons who had given information to the Rebels should be arrested and sent to the military prison at Wheeling, West Virginia. Their houses were to be used as hospitals, government offices and store houses, etc. Their furniture was to be sold at public auction for the benefit of Union citizens of the town. Also all male secessionists in Frederick, with their families, must be sent to headquarters in West Virginia at once. Signed by Major P. G. Bier, A. A. G. Major General Hunter, to prevent infliction of such punishment specified in the above order, added an additional order that every male citizen of Frederick and a portion of Frederick County must appear at the office beginning on July 25 through July 30 to subscribe to an Oath of Allegiance to the government of the U. S. Anyone not appearing and swearing Allegiance will be regarded as sessecionists and treated as directed in the above order. Signed by Major General Hunter, Commanding Department, West Virginia. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum