Iron Brigader Blog

Lieber Code 1863: Section III

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE FIELD. SECTION III.– Deserters — Prisoners of war — Hostages — Booty on the battle-field. 48. Deserters from the American Army, having...

Lieber Code 1863: Section IV

SECTION IV.–Partisans–Armed enemies not belonging to the hostile army–Scouts–Armed prowlers– War-rebels. 81. Partisans are soldiers armed and wearing the uniform of their army, but belonging to a corps which acts detached from the main...

Lieber Code 1863: Section V

SECTION V.–Safe-conduct–Spies– War-traitors– Captured messengers– Abuse of the flag of truce. 86. All intercourse between the territories occupied by belligerent armies, whether by traffic, by letter, by travel, or in any other way, ceases....

Lieber Code of 1863: Section VI

SECTION VI.–Exchange of prisoners–Flags of truce–Flags of protection. 105. Exchanges of prisoners take place–number for number–rank for rank–wounded for wounded–with added condition for added condition–such, for instance, as not to serve for a certain...

Lieber Code of 1863: Section VII

SECTION VII.–The parole. 119. Prisoners of war may be released from captivity by exchange, and, under certain circumstances, also by parole. 120. The term parole designates the pledge of individual good faith and honor...

Lieber Code of 1863: Section VIII

SECTION VIII.–Armistice–Capitulation. 135. An armistice is the cessation of active hostilities for a period agreed between belligerents. It must be agreed upon in writing and duly ratified by the highest authorities of the contending...

Lieber Code of 1863: Section IX and X

SECTION IX.—Assassination. 148. The law of war does not allow proclaiming either an individual belonging to the hostile army, or a citizen, or a subject of the hostile government an outlaw, who may be...

General Alvin P. Hovey’s Division At the Battle of Champion Hill

Key Battle in the Vicksburg Campaign After crossing the Mississippi River at Bruinsburg, Mississippi on April 30th, the Union Army of Major General Ulysses S. Grant marched inland in a northeasterly direction.  Grant’s forces...