May 27, 1865: Military Prisoners Discharged

 

Lots of unfinished business after the War and an Executive Order took care of one piece of such business on May 27, 1865.  With the armies demobilizing it was decided to send military prisoners home.  Death penalties would have dealt with serious malefactors, and with the War concluded it was not necessary for the maintenance of discipline for incarceration to continue of those convicted of lesser offenses.  Here is the text of the order:

 

 

WAR DEPARTMENT

Ordered , That in all cases of sentences by military tribunals of imprisonment during the war the sentence be remitted and that the prisoners be discharged. The Adjutant-General will issue immediately the necessary instructions to carry. this order into effect.

By order of the President of the United States:

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.