THOMAS JESUP

This notorious order issued by the General in the Seminole War was a throwback to ore primitive days where armies were allowed to pillage enemy towns and residences and steal whatever they wanted and keep it for themselves or divide it amongst the troops. There was no specific legal authority for this kind if theft, but there was also nothing prohibiting it. It would not be until the Civil War when the United States military would issue a written set of rules of warfare that must be followed by all troops.

He was a brutal officer who by modern standards committed various war crimes.

He was a brutal officer who by modern standards committed various war crimes.

This notorious order issued by the General in the Seminole War was a throwback to ore primitive days where armies were allowed to pillage enemy towns and residences and steal whatever they wanted and keep it for themselves or divide it amongst the troops. There was no specific legal authority for this kind if theft, but there was also nothing prohibiting it. It would not be until the Civil War when the United States military would issue a written set of rules of warfare that must be followed by all troops.