Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

To obtain uniformity in the disposition of deserters from the confederate armies coming with-in this military division, the following order is published:

I. All deserters from the enemy coming within our lines will be conducted to the commander of division or detached brigade who shall be nearest the place of surrender.

II. If such commander is satisfied that the deserters desire to quit the confederate service, he may permit them to go to their homes, if within our lines, on taking the following oath:

The oath.

I do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of States there-under, and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far as not yet repealed, modified, or held void by Congress or by decision of the Supreme Court, and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all proclamations of the President made during the existing rebellion having reference to slaves, so long and so far as not modified or declared void by decision of the Supreme Court; so help me God.

Sworn and subscribed to before me,----, this----day of----, 186--.

III. Deserters from the enemy will at once be disarmed, and their arms turned over to the nearest ordnance officer, who will account for them.

IV. Passes and rations may be given to deserters to carry them to their homes, and free passes over military railroads and on steamboats in government employ.

V. Employment at fair wages will, when practicable, be given to deserters by officers of the quartermaster and engineer departments.

VI. To avoid the danger of recapture of such deserters by the enemy, they will be exempt from the military service in the armies of the United States.

By order of