Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-10-09
GENERAL JACKSON'S yALEDICTORY
ADDRESS TO THE ARMY.
Head Quarters,
Division Of the South.
MONTPELIER, MAY 81, 1921.


MONTPELIER, MAY 81, 1921.
This day, officers and soldiers, closes
my military functions, and consequently,
dissolves the military connection which
has hitherto existed between you and
myself as the commandant Of the South
crn division of the army of the United
States. Many Of us have passed to-
gether days Of toll and nights Of vigilance.
Together, we have seen the termination
of one British and two Indian wars, in
which we have encountered fatigues,
privations, and dangers. Attachments
and friendships, formed by associations
of this kind, are the most durable, and
my feelings will not permit me, in re-
firing from my military command, to
take silent leave Of my companions in
arms.
Justice TO you and to my own feelings
requires that l should place before our
common country the testimony Of my ap-
probation of your military conduct, and
the expression OF my individual regard.
Under the present organization for the
reduction OF the army, aereeably to the
act of Congress, many valuable officers
who have served with me have been sud-
denly deprived of the profession which
they had embraced, and thrown upon the
world. But let this be your consolation,
that the gratitude oil your country still
cherishes you as her defenders and de-
liverers, while wisdom condemns the
hasty and ill-timed policy which has oc-
casioned your disbandment, and that too,
while security was yet to be given to our
extensive frontier by the erection Of the
necessary Notifications for its defence,
greatly extended as that frontier has been
by the recent acquisition of the Floridas.
But you, fellow-soldiers, have that which
cannot be taken from you, the conscious
ness of having done your duty, and, with
your brother officers who are retained,
Of having defended the American Eagle
wherever it was endangered.
To you, my brother-oilicers, who are
retained in the service oil your country,
permit me to recommend the cultivation
of that harmony and friendship towards
each other, which will render you band
of brothers. 1t is your duty SO to con-
duct yourselves on all occasions, as that
your enemies shall have no Just cause
Tor censure. 1t ought to be borne in
mind that every captain should be to his
company as father, and should treat 1t
as his family--as his children. Cont
nue., then, as heretofore, when under my
command, to watch over it with afather's
tenderness and care. Treat them like
children, admonish them, and if, I'M
happily, admoni,ion will not have the
desired ef1cct--coercion must. The
want Of discipline and order will inevita-
bly, produce spirit of INSTRUMENTATION,
as destructive to an army as cowardice,
and will as certainly lead to disaster and
disgrace in the hour of battle: this, as
you regard your military reputation and
your country's good, you must prevent.
Imploring from heaven blessing upon
you all, ! bid you an affectionate adieu.
aaf ANDREW JACKSON.
Major General commanding the
Division .tshe Soaah.
NorE.-My official duties having pre-
vented the PRONUNCIATION Of this order
until this time, an opportunity has been
afforded Of seeing the A" General Order"
dated " Headquarters Of the Army Of
the United States, Washington City,
June lst, 1921" signed" Jacob Brown"
Justice to the officers Of the Southern
Division, as well as to myself, compels
me to offer some remarks upon the fol-
lowing extract from that order:
"The prevalence of desertion has been
an evil Of serious magnitude and it does
not appear to be justified by view of
the past condition Of the military esta
blishment. All research in this field for
its causes have been unsatisfactory
The character of the military profession
is honorable; the soldier is as well pro-
yided with comforts as the citizen in
common life, and his occupation is
neither more offensive nor more labo-
rious. There are restless, discontinued
spirits in every sphere Of life, which no
indulgence nor kindness can bind to sta
bility; but these examples do not exist
in sufficient number TO justify the range
desertion has taken in the army.
The evil must be referred, in degree,
to an undue severity, or to the absence
Of System in the conduct of officers to-
wards their men. The officer is the de-
pository Of the rights Of the soldier, and
the obligation of his Office, as well as the
laws of honor and humanity, claim a
faithful execution Of the trust. When
the soldier ceases to regard the officer as
his protector, the authority with which