IIANTCTAL FOB, N0HC0MMI5SI0NED OPyiiOEHa. 2»1 



By order of the Secretary of War : 



R. C. Drum, Adjutant General. 



The following is taken from Circular No. 3, of 1883, from 

 Headquarters Department of the Columbia : 



Vancouvek Bakeacks, W. T., April 20, 188S. 

 To the Assistant Adjutant Genekal, 



Department of the ColumMa. 

 Sib: 



* « « • • 



A sentinel is placed as guard over prisoners to prevent their 

 escape, and, for this purpose, he is furnished a musket, with 

 ammunition. To prevent escape is his first and most kn- 

 portant duty. 



* * ♦ ♦ • 



I suppose the law to be this : That a sentinel shall not use 

 more force or violence to prevent the escape of a prisoner than 

 is necessary to effect that object, but if the prisoner, after 

 being ordered to halt, continues his flight the sentinel may 

 maim or even kill him, and it is his duty to do so. 



A sentinel who allows a prisoner to escape witiiout tiring 

 upon him, and firing to hit him, is, in my judgment, guilty of 

 a most serious military offense, for which he should und would 

 be severely punished by a general court-martial. 



* * ♦ ' * * 



(Signed) Henry A. Morrow, 



Colonel Ttventy-first Ir.fantry, Commanding Post. 



[Third indorsement.] 



Office Judge Advocate, 

 Military Division of the Pacific, 



May 11, 1S83. 

 Respectfully returned to the assistant adjutant general, 

 Military Division of the Pacific, concurring fully in the views 

 expressed by Col. Morrow. I was not aware that such a view 

 had ever been questioned. That the period is a time of peace 

 does not affect the authority and duty of the sentinel or guard 

 to fire upon the escaping prisoner, if this escape can not other- 



