Existing comment:
The Provost Marshal: Keeping the Peace in a Town at War:
Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times during the Civil War, but most of the time it was occupied by the Union Army. Harpers Ferry, as a part of Virginia, was looked on as enemy territory and the Union Army assigned an officer as Provost Marshal with a Provost Guard to act as a military police force. The Provost Marshal dealt with prisoners of war; spies; guerrillas; drunk or disorderly soldiers; deserting, unhappy or disloyal citizens; and escaping slaves that made their way to Union lines. Under martial law, the Provost Marshal had power to regulate military and civilian life. He could jail, punish, or even execute offenders under military law.
This picture, an illustration of a statuette by John Rogers, depicts a Provost Marshal administering the Oath of Allegiance to a civilian. |