And does therefore sentence him "to forfeit to the United States seven dollars of his monthly pay for three months, and to be confined, in charge of the guard, wearing a twenty-four pound ball attached to his left leg by a chain, for two months.”

23. Private Alfred G. Prince, Company A, 1st U. S. Artillery.

CHARGE 1st-" Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline."

Specification" In this, that he, Alfred G. Prince, a private in Company A, 1st U. S. Artillery, did become so drunk as not to be able to perform the duties of a soldier properly. This at or near Metairie Race-course, La., on or about the morning of the 26th of October, 1862."

CHARGE 2d-" Drunkenness on Guard."

Specification-"In this, that he, Private Alfred G. Prince, of company and regiment aforesaid, being duly detailed for guard, and being duly posted on post as a sentinel, did become so drunk as to be unable to perform the duties of a sentinel. This at or near Metairie Race-course, La., on or about the 26th of October, 1862."

To which the accused pleaded as follows:

To the specification to the FIRST CHARGE" Guilty."

To the FIRST CHARGE" Guilty."

To the specification to the SECOND CHARGE—“ Guilty."

To the SECOND CHARGE" Guilty."

The Court, after mature deliberation, finds the accused as follows:

Of the specification to the FIRST CHARGE--“
--"Guilty."

Of the FIRST CHARGE-" Guilty."

Of the specification to the SECOND CHARGE---“ Guilty."

And does therefore sentence him "to forfeit seven dollars of his monthly pay for six months, and to be confined at hard labor, in charge of the guard, wearing a twenty-four pound ball attached to his left leg for a period of two months."

24. Private John Williams, Company C, 2d Artillery.

CHARGE" Desertion of Post."

Specification" In this, that he, Private John Williams, of Company C, 2d Artillery, having been regularly mounted on guard, and regularly posted as a sentinel on the post in front of the Half-way House, was found absent from his post and at the bar of the Greenwood House, on the opposite side of the Canal, with a bottle of whisky in his possession and intoxicated. All this at Metairie Ridge, La., between 9 and 10 o'clock, on the evening of the 26th of October, 1862."

To which the accused pleaded as follows:

To the specification--"Guilty."

To the CHARGE--"Not Guilty."

The Court, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, finds the accused as follows:

Of the specification-"Guilty."

Of the CHARGE-" Guilty."

And does therefore sentence him "to forfeit to the United States eight dollars of his monthly pay for six months, and to wear a twenty-four pound ball attached to his left leg by a chain, for a period of two months, in charge of the guard."

25. Private Daniel O'Sullivan, Company C, 2d Artillery.

CHARGE" Absence without Leave."

Specification" In this, that he, Private Daniel O'Sullivan, of Company C, 2d Artillery, did, without leave or authority, absent himself from his company at tattoo roll-call, on the 29th day of October, 1862, and did remain absert until about six o'clock P. M., on the 31st day of October, 1862. All this at Metairie Race-course, New Orleans, La., on or about the 31st day of October, 1862."

To which the accused pleaded as follows:

To the specification--" Guilty."

To the CHARGE" Guilty."

The Court, after mature deliberation, finds the accused as follows:

Of the specification--" Guilty."

Of the CHARGE" Guilty."

And does therefore sentence him "to forfeit to the United States six dollars of his monthly pay for two months."

26. Private John Cunningham, Company A, 1st U. S. Artillery.

CHARGE" Absence without Leave."

Specification—“In this, that Private John Cunningham, of Company A, 1st U. S. Artillery, did leave his camp at Metairie Ridge, La., without permission from proper authority, between the hours of 7 and 8 o'clock P. M., on the 29th of October, and did remain absent until 6 o'clock P. M., on the 31st of October, 1862-he having been tried for an offense of a like nature within the last two weeks. This at Metairie Ridge, La., between the 29th and 31st of October, 1862."

To which the accused pleaded as follows:

To the specification-" Guilty."

To the CHARGE--" Guilty."

The Court, after mature deliberation, finds the accused as follows:
Of the specification-" Guilty."

Of the CHARGE—“ Guilty."

And does therefore sentence him "to forfeit to the United States seven dollars of his monthly pay for two months."

III. In the case of Private Adolphus Marion, Company F, 1st U. S. Artillery, the specification is defective in not stating the time of commission. As it must have been ignorance of the law on the part of the accused alone which prevented his excepting to so gross an omission, the proceedings in this case are not approved, and the said Private Adolphus Marion, Company F, 1st U. S. Artillery, will be returned to duty accordingly. The same is true in regard to the specification to the 2d charge in the case of Private Patrick Dorsey, Company F, 1st U. S. Artillery. That part of the proceedings is therefore disapproved. The sentence in his case is mitigated to the forfeiture to the United States of eight dollars of his monthly pay for one month. The proceedings in the other cases are confirmed. On the recommendation of the Court, and for the reasons given, the sentences in the cases of Privates Owen McCann and Hugh Kelly, Company F, 1st U. S. Artillery, are remitted. They will be returned to duty accordingly. The sentences in the remaining cases will be carried into execution.

IV. The General Courts Martial, of which Captain R. C. DURYEA, 1st Artillery, and Captain E. C. BAINBRIDGE, A. Q. M., are Presidents, are dissolved.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL BANKS:

RICHARD B. IRWIN,

Lieutenant Colonel, Assistant Adjutant General.

OFFICIAL:

The Proclamation of the President of the United States, dated January 1st, 1863, is published in General Orders for the information and government of the officers and soldiers of this command, and all persons acting under their authority. It designates portions of the State of Louisiana, which are not to be affected by its provisions. The laws of the United States, however, forbid officers of the army and navy to return slaves to their owners, or to decide upon the claims of any person to the service or labor of another; and the inevitable conditions of a state of war unavoidably deprive all classes of citizens of much of that absolute freedom of action and control of property which local law and the continued peace of the country guaranteed and secured to them. The forcible seizure of fugitives from service or labor by their owners is inconsistent with these laws and conditions, inasmuch as it leads to personal violence, and the disturbance of the public peace, and it cannot be permitted. Officers and soldiers will not encourage or assist slaves to leave their employers, but they cannot compel or authorize their return by force.

The public interest peremptorily demands that all persons without other means of support be required to maintain themselves by labor. Negroes are not exempt from this law. Those who leave their employers will be compelled to support themselves and families by labor upon the public works. Under no circumstances whatever can they be maintained in idleness, or allowed to wander through the parishes and cities of the State without employment. Vagrancy and crime will be suppressed by an enforced and constant occupation and employment.

Upon every consideration, labor is entitled to some equitable proportion of the crops it produces. To secure the objects both of capital and labor, the Sequestration Commission is hereby authorized and directed, upon conference with planters and other parties, to propose and establish a yearly system of negro labor, which shall provide for the food, clothing, proper treatment and just compensation for the negroes, at fixed rates, or an equitable proportion of the yearly crop. as may be deemed advisable. It should be just, but not exorbitant or onerous. When accepted by the planter or other parties, all the conditions of continuous and faithful service, respectful deportment, correct discipline and perfect subordination, shall be enforced on the part of the negroes by the officers of the Government. To secure their payment, the wages of labor will constitute a lien upon its products.