NA, QM 6/2/1864

Quarter Master General's Department
Richmond, June 2nd 1864
  
Dr. R. W. Gibbs
Columbia, S. C.
 
Dear Sir,
   Yours of 21st asking modifications of instructions to Prov. Marshals relative to passports to citizens, has been referred to the Prov. Marshall Genl. who has charge of this matter; with the request that Provost Marshals be vested with some discretionary powers, & authorized to grant passports, to private citizens, in all cases of urgent necessity. It was with the greatest reluctance that I applied to the Sect. of War to have any restrictions placed upon private travel, & it was not done until it became manifest that without such restrictions our armies must quit the field. I am happy to be able to say that the results have vindicated the propriety of the means adopted & enables us now so far to relax the rules as to permit private travel in cases where there exists real necessity.
A. R. Lawton, Q. M. G.

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