Headquarters, Department Of Missouri,
St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 26, 1862.
The President, Secretary, Librarian, Directors, and other officers of the Mercantile Library Association, the President, Secretary, Directors, and other officers of the Chamber or Chambers of Commerce of this city are required to take the oath of allegiance prescribed by article 6 of the State ordinance of October 16, 1861.
Any of the above officers who shall neglect to file in the office of the Provost Marshal General, within ten days of the date of this order of the oath so superscribed, will be deemed to have resigned, and any who, after neglecting to file his oath of allegiance within the time prescribed, shall attempt to exercise the functions of such office will be arrested for contempt of this order, and punished according to the laws of war.
2d. It is officially reported that carriages bearing the enemy's flag are in the habit of driving to the vicinity of the military prison in McDowell's College. The commanding officer of the prison will seize and take possession of any carriage bearing the enemy's flag, and the horses, carriage, and harness be confiscated.
3d. It is officially reported that certain women are in the habit of approaching the vicinity of the military prison, and waving hostile flags for the purpose of insulting our troops and carrying on communications with the prisoners of war. The commanding officer of the prison guard will arrest and place in confinement all women so offending.
4th. Any carriage or other vehicle bearing a hostile flag in the city will be seized and confiscated. The city police and patrol guards are directed to arrest persons in vehicles under such flags; also, persons wearing or displaying a hostile flag in the city.
By command of Maj. Gen. Halleck.
M. H. Mclean, Asst. Adj. Gen.
