Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-16
General order 80. I,

HEADQUARTERs DIVISION No. 2.l
Memphis, July 10, 1861,
Having been assigned TO the charge Of the defense
OF that part OF the valley Of the Mississippi which
is embraced within the boundaries of Division No.
2. hereby assume command. All officers on duty
within the limits will report accordingly.
In assuming this very grave responsibility, the
general in command is constrained to declare his
deep and long settled conviction that the war in which
we are engaged is one not warranted by reason or
any necessity. political social of our existing
condition, but that 1t Is indefensi6le and of unpara>
leled atrocity. We have protested and do protest
that all desire is be let alone repose in qui
etness under our vine and our own fig tree. We
have sought, aud only sought the undisturbed en-
jOyment of the inherent and the indefessiBle right
Of self government a right which freemen can
never relnquish, and which none but tyTsnJs could
ever seek to wrest from as. Those with whom we
have been lately associated in bonds of a preten-
ded traternal regard, have wished and endeavOred
to deprive US Of this great birth-Tight Amer
lean freemen. Nor is this all. They have sought
TO deprive of this inestimable right by mer-
ciless war, which can attain other possible end
than the ruin of fortunes and the destruction of
lives for the subjugation of Christian freemen
is out Of the question. A war which has
has thus no motive except lust or hate and no OBJ
jeCt except ruin and devastation under the shallow
pretense CT restoration of the Union, is surely
war against heaven, as well as a war against earth.
Of all the absur lites ever enacted Of all the hypo
circles ever practised an attempt to restore union
existed in North America by the Tayages Of fire and
sword, are assuredly among the most prOdigOus.
As sure there is a righteous Ruler of the uni
verse, such 4 must end in disaster to those by
whom it was inaugurated, and by whom 1t is now
prosecuted with circumstances of barbariy, viii, III
it was fOndy believed would never more disgass ce
the annals OF q civilized people. Numbers may be
against but the battle is not always to the ST. ong
Justice will triumph. And an earnest of this tri
umph we already behold in the mighty uprisi M Of
the whole Southern heart Almost one man this
great section comes to the rescue resolved to perish
rather than yield to tle oppressor who in the name
of freedom, yet under the prime Inspiration of an
ipdel horde seeks to reduce eight milliOnB of FIRE
to abJ5Ct bondage and subsection. All ages and
ell conditions united in the one grant and holy
purpose of rolling back the desOlaug tides OF
sion and of restoring to the people o. the South that
peace, independence and right of self-gOvernment
to which they are by nature and natures God as
justly entitled those who seek thus ruthlessly to
enslave them.
The general in command having the strongest
confidence in the intelligence and firmness of pur-
pose of those belonging to his de partment. enOns
upon them the maintenance of calm, patieni per-
sIstant and uHdaunted deernInJ ton to resist the III
vason at all hazards and to the last extremity. 1t
comes bringing with it cOnte npt for constitution
al liberty, and the whitening .uence of the inde
ty of New England and G. .rmany combined. Its
success would deprive as Of future
The best men among OF invaders opposed the
course they pursuing at the first, but they have
been overborne and swep into the wake of the pre-
vailing current and no " under the prompting OF
their fears, the delus ion of some dOlatrous
erence due to a favOri1 { symbol, active as
any in instigating thu unnatural, unchristan and
cruel war.
Our protests, viii ch we here solemnly repeat in
the face of the civ LIKED world have been Hitherto
unheeded. We ar left alone under God to the res
sources Of our o wn minds and our own hearts-to
the resources Of our manhood.
Upon has Sno wing. as he does those whom ne adj
dresses, well as those with whom yOuare co-Ope-
rating throug bout the South, the general in COM
mand feels may rely with unwavering conf
dence. Let every then thr iughout the Ian
arm himself in the most effective manner and hold
himself in readiness to support the combined resist
s0Ee A cause which has for its object nothing less
ban the security of civil liberty and the preserVa-
fon of the purity OF religious truth is the cause of
heaven and may well challenge the homage and
service Of the patriot and the Christian.
In God is our trust. LEoNIDAs Polk,
Major General P. A. G. s.. commanding.