_Washington, July 28, 1868_.
The following orders from the War Department, which have been approved
by the President, are published for the information and government of
the Army and of all concerned:
The commanding generals of the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Military
Districts having officially reported that the States of Arkansas, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida have
fully complied with the acts of Congress known as the reconstruction
acts, including the act passed June 22, 1868, entitled "An act to admit
the State of Arkansas to representation in Congress," and the act passed
June 25, 1868, entitled "An act to admit the States of North Carolina,
South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida to
representation in Congress," and that, consequently, so much of the act
of March 2, 1867, and the acts supplementary thereto as provides for the
organization of military districts, subject to the military authority of
the United States, as therein provided, has become inoperative in said
States, and that the commanding generals have ceased to exercise in said
States the military powers conferred by said acts of Congress: Therefore
the following changes will be made in the organization and command of
military districts and geographical departments:
I. The Second and Third Military Districts having ceased to exist, the
States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida
will constitute the Department of the South, Major-General George G.
Meade to command. Headquarters at Atlanta, Ga.
II. The Fourth Military District will now consist only of the State of
Mississippi, and will continue to be commanded by Brevet Major-General
A.C. Gillem.
III. The Fifth Military District will now consist of the State of Texas,
and will be commanded by Brevet Major-General J.J. Reynolds.
Headquarters at Austin, Tex.
IV. The States of Louisiana and Arkansas will constitute the Department
of Louisiana, Brevet Major-General L.H. Rousseau is assigned to the
command. Headquarters at New Orleans, La. Until the arrival of General
Rousseau at New Orleans, Brevet Major-General Buchanan will command the
Department.
V. Brevet Major-General George Crook is assigned, according to his
brevet of major-general, to command the Department of the Columbia,
in place of Rousseau, relieved.
VI. Brevet Major-General E.R.S. Canby is reassigned to command the
Department of Washington.
* * * * *
By command of General Grant: