Today in History:

429 Series I Volume LI-II Serial 108 - Supplements Part II

Page 429 Chapter LXIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.

Bowling Green, you will conform your movements to this order; otherwise your regiment will proceed immediately to Lewisburg, as originally arranged.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector-General.

[5.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE KANAWHA, Numbers --.
Camp near Dublin Depot, December --, 1861.

SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE KANAWHA:

The campaign in the western portion of this State is now, as far as you are concerned, ended. At its close you can review it with pride and satisfaction. You first encountered the enemy fiv emonths since, on his unobstructed march into the interior of the State. From that time until recalled from the field you were engaged in pepetual warfare with him. Hard contested battles and skirmishes were matters of almost daily occurrence. Nor is it to be forgotten that laborious and arduous marches by day and by night were necessary, not only as furnishing you the opportunity of fighting these, but of baffling the foe at different points upon his march of invasion. And it is a fact which entitles you to the warm congratulations of your general, and to the thanks and gratitude of your country, that in the midst of the trying scenes through which you have passed you have proved yourselves men and patriots, who, undaunted by superior numbers, have engaged the foe, beaten him in the field, and baffled and frustrated him in his plans to surprise you. On all occasions, under all circumstances, your patriotism and courage have never failed nor forsaken you. With inadequate tansportation, often illy clad, and with less than a full allowance of provisions, no pirvate has ever uttered a complaint to his general. This fact was grateful to his feelings, and if your hardships have not been removed or alleviated by him, it has been becasuse of his inability to do so. But your exemplary and patriotic conduct has not passed unobserved and unappreciated by the Government in whose cause we are all enlisted. It is an acknowledged fact that you have made fewer claims and imposed less trouble upon it than any army in the field, content to dare and to do as became true soldiers and patriots with the means at your command. Now, at the close of your laborious and eventful campaign, when you may have looked forward to a season of rest, your country had bestowed upon you the distingt of calling you to another field of action. That you will freely respond to this call your past services, so cheefully rendered, furnish the amplest assurance. Kentucky in her hour of peril appeals to Virginia, her mother, and to her sisters for succor. This appeal is not unheeded by their gallant sons. The foot of the oppressor is upon her. Trusting in the cause of justice we go to her relief, and with the help of Him who is its author we will do our part in hurling back and chastising the oppressor who is desecrating her soil. Soldiers your country, your friends whom you leave behind you, will expect you in your new field of labor to do your duty. Remember that the eyes of the country are upon you, and that upon your action in part depends the result of the greatest struggle the world ever saw, involving not oly your freedom, your property, and your lives, but the fate of political liberty everywhere. Remembering this, and relying upon Him who controls the destinies of nations as of individuals, you need not fear the result.

By order of Brigadier General John. B. Floyd:

H. B. DAVIDSON,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[5.]


Page 429 Chapter LXIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.