GENERAL ORDERS,)

No. 8 )

HDQRS. DIST. WEST TENNESSEE

Fort Donelson, February 22, 1862

Col. M. D. Leggett, Seventy-eight Ohio Volunteers, is appointed acting provost-marshal until a suitable for the position can be designated, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.

In all case where it may be deemed necessary to refer to higher authority, Brig. Gen S. A. Hurburt, second in authority will be appealed to. Tennessee, by her rebellion, having ignored all the laws of the United States, no courts will be allowed to act under State authority, but all cases coming within the reach of the military arm will be adjudicated by the authorities the Government has established within the State. Martial law is therefore declared to extend over West Tennessee.

Whenever a sufficient number of citizens return their allegiance to maintain law and order over the territory, the military restrictions here indicated will be removed."

By order of Brigadier-General Grant:

Jno A. Rawlins

Assistant Adjutant General

[War of The Rebellion: A Compensation of Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7, pages 654 - 655 , Government Printing Office, 1882)