Unveiling the Mystique of Special Field Order 15- A Deep Dive into Its Significance and Impact

by liuqiyue

What was the Special Field Order 15?

The Special Field Order 15, also known as the General Orders No. 11, was a controversial military decree issued by Union General Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War. This order, issued on December 17, 1862, aimed to address the issue of Confederate soldiers enlisting in the Union Army, particularly those who had been impressed or drafted into service. The order, however, had far-reaching implications that would shape the course of the war and the lives of many Southern civilians. In this article, we will delve into the background, the content, and the aftermath of the Special Field Order 15.

The background of the Special Field Order 15 can be traced back to the recruitment challenges faced by the Union Army. During the war, the Union needed to expand its ranks to maintain a sufficient number of soldiers to fight against the Confederacy. General Grant, who was commanding the Department of the Tennessee, faced the task of increasing the Union’s numbers in the region. However, the recruitment efforts were met with resistance, as many Southern civilians were opposed to serving in the Union Army or fighting against their own kin.

In an attempt to address this issue, General Grant issued the Special Field Order 15. The order aimed to encourage Southern men to enlist in the Union Army by offering them land and the promise of freedom for themselves and their families. The order stated that all able-bodied persons in the rebel states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida would be impressed into service in the Union Army, and those who refused would be deemed as deserters. Furthermore, the order declared that the lands of those who were impressed or drafted would be confiscated and distributed to Union soldiers.

The Special Field Order 15 had a profound impact on the Southern civilian population. While the order was intended to incentivize enlistment, it also led to the displacement of thousands of Southern families. Many of those affected were farmers who lost their land and livelihoods as a result of the order. Additionally, the order was met with fierce opposition from the Confederate government and many Southern civilians, who viewed it as a form of tyranny and oppression.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Special Field Order 15, the order did have some success in increasing the Union’s ranks. Many Southern men did enroll in the Union Army, and some were even allowed to take their families with them. However, the order also had unintended consequences, as it led to the forced displacement of thousands of Southern civilians and the disruption of their lives.

The Special Field Order 15 was eventually revoked by President Abraham Lincoln on May 23, 1863. Lincoln, who was concerned about the order’s humanitarian impact, replaced it with the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territories were to be set free. While the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all slaves, it laid the groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.

In conclusion, the Special Field Order 15 was a significant military decree that had far-reaching implications during the American Civil War. Although it aimed to address the Union’s recruitment challenges, the order also led to the displacement of thousands of Southern civilians and the disruption of their lives. The Special Field Order 15 serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic aspects of war and the impact that military decisions can have on civilian populations.

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