St. Louis, November 20th, 1861.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 3.
I. It has been represented that important information respecting the numbers and condition of our forces is conveyed to the enemy by means of fugitive slaves who are admitted within our lines. In order to remedy this evil, it is directed that no such persons be hereafter permitted to enter the lines of any camp, or of any forces on the march, and that any now within such lines be immediately excluded therefrom.
II. The General Commanding wishes to impress upon all officers in command of posts and troops in the field the importance of preventing unauthorized persons of every description from entering and leaving our lines, and of observing the greatest precaution in the employment of agents and clerks in confidential positions. BY ORDER OF MAJOR GENERAL HALLECK.
General Orders, No. 3, Head Quarters, Department of the Missouri, 20 Nov. 1861, vol. 50/77 DMo, p. 2, General Orders, series 5488, Western Department, U.S. Army Continental Commands, Record Group 393 Pt. 1, National Archives.
Published in The Destruction of Slavery, p. 417, and in Free at Last, pp. 17–18.