June 1865.
"—Gen. Halleck, at present “Military Governor” at Richmond, who appears to have lost all sense and honor, if he ever had any to lose, has issued an order setting aside the marriage laws of the State of Virginia, and commanding that no marriage shall take place except on conditions laid down by him. Of this order the New York Times says:
“The restrictions upon matrimony in Gen. Halleck’s order are absurd, and revolting to human nature. They are in antagonism with the laws of God and of man. They are a tax upon chastity, an invitation to illicit intercourse between the sexes, an encouragement to adultery and lewduess. They are an abomination that should not be tolerated in a Christian land. They are an insult to the spirit of enlightenmont, and exhibit the most disgraceful illustration of tyranny that has ever degraded a nation.”
As this demented tyrant, Halleck, has taken under his control the laws of marriage, he would scarcely appear more ridiculous by attempting to manage the ‘business of births also. By all means, let him order at once that no child be born without first obtaining a permit from his military department."
Gov. Seymour, New York.
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Hallecks marriage law...
GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS
No. 4. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE JAMES,
Richmond, Va., April 28, 1865.
...
V. No marriage license will be issued until the parties desiring to be married take
the oath of allegiance to the United States, and no clergyman, magistrate, or other
party authorized by State laws to perform the marriage ceremony will officiate in
such capacity until himself and the parties contracting matrimony have taken the
prescribed oath of allegiance.
VI. Any person acting in violation of these orders will be arrested, and a full
acconnt of the case reported to these headquarters.
By order of Major-General Halleck:
J.C. KELTON,
Assistant-Adjlttant General.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major- General.
_______________________
David Upton