Hi Howard,

This is the famous order by General Sherman, the one who marched to the sea in Georgia, and burned it all during the Civil War. His march was the Civil War version of Shock & Awe. His version worked.

This order is the basis for today's idea that all freed slaves were to get 40 acres and a mule. In fact, only freedmen who lived in the limited geographic area that Sherman mentioned in the order were covered by this document.

To get a more detailed and scholarly response, post your query on the Military Forum. Sharon Heist, in particular, is good at explaining what General and Special Orders are, how they were used, and what a genealogist can learn from them.

Take Care,

Lee