After completing his march to Savannah in December, U. General William T. Sherman announced his Special Field Orders No. Special Field Orders No. Johns River near Jacksonville, Florida, and as far inland as thirty miles west from the coastline.
Although not all of the land was abandoned, Congress previously decided that land owned by Confederate soldiers or supporters would be considered abandoned and able to be confiscated by the federal government. William L. Burger , the A. The islands from Charleston, south, the abandoned rice fields along the rivers for thirty miles back from the sea, and the country bordering the St.
Johns river, Florida, are reserved and set apart for the settlement of the negroes now made free by the acts of war and the proclamation of the President of the United States. Augustine and Jacksonville, the blacks may remain in their chosen or accustomed vocations—but on the islands, and in the settlements hereafter to be established, no white person whatever, unless military officers and soldiers detailed for duty, will be permitted to reside; and the sole and exclusive management of affairs will be left to the freed people themselves, subject only to the United States military authority and the acts of Congress.
By the laws of war, and orders of the President of the United States, the negro is free and must be dealt with as such. He cannot be subjected to conscription or forced military service, save by the written orders of the highest military authority of the Department, under such regulations as the President or Congress may prescribe.
Domestic servants, blacksmiths, carpenters and other mechanics, will be free to select their own work and residence, but the young and able-bodied negroes must be encouraged to enlist as soldiers in the service of the United States, to contribute their share towards maintaining their own freedom, and securing their rights as citizens of the United States.
Negroes so enlisted will be organized into companies, battalions and regiments, under the orders of the United States military authorities, and will be paid, fed and clothed according to law. The bounties paid on enlistment may, with the consent of the recruit, go to assist his family and settlement in procuring agricultural implements, seed, tools, boots, clothing, and other articles necessary for their livelihood.
Whenever three respectable negroes, heads of families, shall desire to settle on land, and shall have selected for that purpose an island or a locality clearly defined, within the limits above designated, the Inspector of Settlements and Plantations will himself, or by such subordinate officer as he may appoint, give them a license to settle such island or district, and afford them such assistance as he can to enable them to establish a peaceable agricultural settlement. Ultimately, then, Special Field Order No.
Down to our own time, the confused and conflicted intentions and authorities that informed the issuance of Field Order No.
New York: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press, Claude F. Text of Special Field Order No. Akron: Saalfield Publishing Company, , p.
New York: Vintage Books, , p. New York: McNally, Forty Acres and a Mule Question. Walter L. Bibliography William T. About the Author.
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