To People of Tenn and Ala From RH Milroy Feb 1 1865

              CIRCULAR. 


			HEADQUARTERS DEFENCES N. & C. R. R, 

			TULLAHOMA, TENN., FEB. 1st, 1865 


 
To the people of Coffee, Lincoln, Bedford, Franklin, Marshall, Grundy, Warren and Cannon Counties 
	State of Tennessee, and of Jackson County, Alabama: 


	It is ordered that all the male residents from the age of fourteen (14) years and upwards in every  
neighborhood in said Counties shall, within ten (10) days of receiving this order, organize them- 
selves into HOME GUARD COMPANIES of convenient size, from forty (40) to one hundred and fifty  
(150), according to the population and convenience of each neighborhood, for the purpose of exterminat- 
ing and driving out all Bushwhackers, horse Thieves and other lawless Men, and restoring law 
and order.  


	Every Male resident of said counties over fourteen (14) years without regard to age, infirmity or 
occupation, is required to enroll his name in the company of his neighborhood within five 95) days 
after the organization of the Company, on pain of being considered disloyal and treated accordingly. 


	Those incapacitated from age, disease, or being cripples, can give their influence, counsel, advice 
send information &c, &c. Only those able for active field duty will be expected to turn out when 
they hear of Bushwhackers, Guerillas or Thieves in their neighborhood, or when ordered to do so by 
their officers, (unless expressly named.) 


	Each Company will organize by enrolling their names and selecting some man of well known 
loyalty as Captain, who must be confirmed by the Maj. Gen. Commanding, and furnished with instruc- 
tions before he will be empowered to act. The captain to appoint one first, and one second Lieu- 
tenants, five sergeants and eight corporals, and five members to constitute a company court, for the 
trial of all crimes and offences committed by members of the company. Each company to continue 
its organization so long as it shall be deemed necessary for the peace and safety of then neighborhood. 
Each neighborhood failing or refusing to organize a company within ten days after receiving or hear- 
ing of this order will be considered disloyal, and treated accordingly. The time having come for all 
men to take sides, and either show themselves the active friends of the Union and of law and order,  
or openly join the enemy, inaction on the part of any one will be no longer tolerated. The location,  
names of officers, and strength of each company, to be promptly reported to these Headquarters when 
organized, that measures to their arming may be taken, and instructions given.  


		By Command of MAJ. GEN’L MILROY. 

							A. W. BILLINGS 

							Major and Provost Marshal