A Yankee General Impressing Confederate citizens.
--The following extraordinary order has been issued by Gen. Hulburt, the Yankee General in command at Memphis.:Hdq'rs 16th Army corps,
Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 14th, 1863.
General Orders, No. 157.--The people in the District of West Tennessee and North Mississippi having shown no disposition and made no attempt to protect themselves from marauders and guerilla bands, and having combined, in many instances, with unknown enemies of the United States to procure from corrupt traders, in Memphis and elsewhere, supplies for the use of the public enemy, have proved themselves unworthy of the indulgence shown by the Government.
It is therefore ordered that the lines of pickets around the several military posts of this command in Tennessee and Mississippi be closed, and no goods of any description be allowed to pass out, nor anything to be brought in, except food and provisions, by any citizen, without a written order of some general officer, each of which permits, and the reasons for granting the same, will be reported to these headquarters; for which each officer granting them will be held responsible.
All merchants, and others doing business, will be held responsible for knowledge of the residence of parties to whom they sell, and the sale of merchandize to persons beyond the lines of pickets will be punished with the highest rigor known to the laws of war.
All persons residing under the protection of the United States, and physically capable of military duty, are liable to perform the same under martial law, and particularly in the city of Memphis, where it is known many have fled to escape liability to military service at home.
This rule will be strictly applied.
In pursuance, therefore, of orders to this effect from Major-Gen W. T. Sherman, commanding the Department and the Army of Tennessee, all officers commanding districts, divisions, and detached brigades of this corps will immediately proceed to impress into the service of the United States such able bodied persons, liable to military duty, as may be required to fill up the existing regiments and batteries to their maximum.
These persons leveled upon, if they enlist for three years or the way, will be entailed to the fall benefits provided by the acts of Congress; if not, they will receive clothing and rations, and be borne at the foot of each company roll, with remarks stating their time of service, and the advancements made by Government in clothing.
The question of pay or other compensations will be settled by the proper authorities hereafter.
They will be discharged when no further military necessity appears for their enforced service.
The senior surgeons and inspectors present will constitute a board of inspection on the physical character of recruits. 