Why did Lincoln give the “eye for an eye” order today?
July 31, 1863 — Although the concept of eye-for-an-eye punishment seems medieval now, it was in practice during the Civil War. In fact, black and white POWs were often punished or killed to even a score.
Upset by this, President Lincoln issued the historic “eye for an eye” order today, warning the Confederacy that the Union would shoot a rebel prisoner for every black prisoner shot — and would condemn a rebel prisoner to a life of hard labor for every black prisoner sold into slavery.
Lincoln’s General Order No. 252 had a restraining influence on Confederate government; however, individual commanders and soldiers continued to murder captured black soldiers.
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Words of Wisdom
That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.
