The President's Order No. 252
(GLC 00623 p.528)
In this Harper's Weekly cartoon, President Abraham Lincoln responds to
the Confederate practice of treating captured black Union
servicemen worse than their white comrades. His order
- No. 252 - was written to respond to this form of treatment.
Here, Lincoln threatens to beat the Confederate sailor
he holds by the collar if Davis harms the black boy he
is chasing.
On July 30, 1863, President Lincoln issued General Order
No. 252: "It is the duty of every Government to give
protection to its citizens, of whatever class, color or
condition, and especially to those who are duly organized
as soldiers in the public service. The law of nations
... permit no distinction as to color in the treatment
of prisoners of war as public enemies."
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