709. CONFEDERATE MISSISSIPPI AND EASTERN LOUISIANA ORDERED TO GO DRY! Curious manuscript A.D.S. from Head Quarters of the Department of S. Mississippi and E. Louisiana at Vicksburg, 1p. small folio, July 2, 1862, General Order No. 8 banning the possession of spirits except for medical use. This order reads in part: "...Provost Marshals of this department in all counties in which Martial Law has been proclaimed will at once take possession of all spirituous liquors to be found within their jurisdiction, except such as may be held for medicinal purposes. They will immediately turn it over to the nearest commissary taking receipt for the same..." The District of the Mississippi, as it was then known, was created, with Van Dorn taking command of the district on the same day of July 2, 1862. Evidently not being one to waste time, Van Dorn immediately declared martial law and began issuing edicts. Many farms and plantations produced rum or whiskey in this district, so this edict was essentially non-enforceable. There was general uproar in the areas affected by these edicts, which almost immediately reached Richmond. Usual folds, otherwise very good. $150-200