Fifth Military District (Reconstruction) orders and clipping, 1867-1868

This grouping contains printed military orders and correspondence generated by General Hancock while in command of the Louisiana and Texas (Fifth) District in 1867-1868. As commander of that Reconstruction district he issued general orders No. 40 which restored the right to trial by jury, habeas corpus, liberty of the press, freedom of speech, and other civil liberties to the district. The collection also contains a printed letter and a clipping related to this issue. The order was unpopular with Congress, resulting in Hancock's being relieved of command and transferred to the Dakota District.