Doc. 160.-opening of the Mississippi.
Major-General Banks's order.
headquarters Department of the Gulf, New-Orleans, Sept. 8, 1863.
General orders No. 66.
1. The trade of the city of New-Orleans with Cairo, St. Louis, and the cities and towns of the Upper Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers, is hereby declared free from any military restrictions whatever.
The trade of the Mississippi at intermediate points within the Department of the Gulf is held subject only to such limitations as may be necessary to prevent a supply of provisions and munitions, of war reaching the enemies of the country.
2. The products of the country intended for general market may be brought into military posts on the line of the Mississippi within the Department of the Gulf, without restraint, namely, at New-Orleans, Carrolton, Donaldsonville, Baton Rouge, and Port Hudson.
3. Officers or soldiers of the army are hereby directed to transfer to lion.
B. B. Sanders, Agent of the Treasury Department, or his deputies, taking receipts therefor, all captured, abandoned, or sequestrated property not required for military purposes, in accordance with General Orders No. 88.
4. The Military Court of this Department is hereby invested with exclusive jurisdiction in all cases of extortion, excessive or unreasonable charges, or unjust treatment of officers and soldiers of the United States, by proprietors or agents of steamboats, or other vessels in the navigation of the Mississippi or Gulf, and upon conviction of any offences herein described, offenders shall be liable to fine, imprisonment, or confiscation of property. 