General Grant issues his infamous General Order…

General Grant issues his infamous General Order No. 11 of December 11, 1862,  which reads,

“The Jews, as a class violating every regulation of trade established by the Treasury Department and also department orders, are hereby expelled from the department within twenty-four hours from the receipt of this order.

Post commanders will see to it that all of this class of people be furnished passes and required to leave, and any one returning after such notification will be arrested and held in confinement until an opportunity occurs of sending them out as prisoners, unless furnished with permit from headquarters.

No passes will be given these people to visit headquarters for the purpose of making personal application of trade permits.”

Cesar J. Kaskel of Paducah, Kentucky, immediately sets out for Washington to put the matter before President Lincoln.

Ohio Congressman John A. Gurley escorts him to the White House, where Kaskel apprises the president of what Grant had done.

Lincoln writes a note to General-in-Chief H. W. Halleck, who sends a telegram to General Grant forthwith:

“A paper purporting to be General Orders, No. 11, issued by you December 17, has been presented here.

By its terms, it expells all Jews from your department.

If such an order has been issued, it will be immediately revoked.” Halleck continues.

“The President has no objection to your expelling traitors and Jew peddlers, which, I suppose, was the object of your order; but, as it is in terms proscribed an entire religious class, some of whom are fighting in our ranks, the President deemed it necessary to revoke it.”

Grant rescinds the offensive decree the following day.