The 1863 Laws of War

This compendium of laws and rules is a testimony to America's reverence for the rule of law as well as its high regard for "civilised" behaviour on the battlefield. The Articles of War were normative rules covering military duty and punishments allowed for violations. The Lieber Code was a new and profound law for the conduct of armies in the field, to include humane treatment of prisoners and protection of property and civilians. It had a profound affect on the evolution of the laws of land warfare in use today. Army Regulations, on the other hand, dealt with the administration and management of the army-from personnel assignments to supply and recruiting operations - all three sets of rules were used by both the Union and Confederate armies. It is an essential reference for students, historians, writers, re-enactors, and those interested in how our Civil War armies operated.