The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-10-18

htdheu upon the result.
The South has entered into the strug.
gle with enthusiasm and unanimity,
knowing well the conseq uences which
would surely follow defeat.
Already have our enemies parceled out
in prospective the property of our people,
and their deluded soldiers are reveling in
Imagination in the promised homesteads
of the gallant defenders Of our soil.
Tie northern tax payers who hesitate
to encourage the prosecution of war,
which, even in the first months Of its pro-
gress, is increasing the national debt at
the rate of over million of dollars per
day. are silenccd into acguiescencc by the
promise that the South shall pay the en-
tire expense, past, present, and future, so
soon as she is subjuga,ed. And visions of
prospective positions of dignity and power
in the government Of the conquered
provinces of the South are dazzling the
fancy of their ambitious military chiefs.
Never before did any people engage in
war in which they had more to gain by
success, or to lose by deieat, than have the
people Of the Confederate States in the
present struggle. And never yet have
any people marched forward with n no
bier, firmer or more united purpose, to
gain all or lose all.
They have known from the beginning,
that there was for them no intermediate
stopping place, between complete victory
and entire ruin.
In the stand they have taken, they
present the nobiest spectacle Of sublime
devotion to liberty Unselfsh patriotism
and perfect fraternity wherein the wealth
Of money and the best blood OF the coun-
try are all thrown into the common stock
without stint or reservation, to achieve a
common and glorious deliverance, or to
perish by common disaster.
In the Providence of Almighty God, it
was never designed that such a people
should fail in achieving their indepen-
dence, despite the power Of superior num-
bers to which their invaders may lay
claim.
The pages of history do not furnish a
single example where eight millions of
united freemen have been permanently
subdued by any power, however formida-
ble, which may have been brought against
them. The spirit which animates men
who combat in defence of their families
and their homes, renders them more than
a match for twice their number of mere
mercenary adversaries who fight for plum
der and Tor conquest.
Witness the various engagements which
have already marked the progress of the
war. Remember the seige of Sumter, the
battle of Bethel the crowning glory of
Manassas where our victorious legions
drove back that "Grand Army" in wild
confusion and dismay into the very pres
ence Of the despot who sent them forth,
and into the very capital from whence
they had marched only short time be-
fore, flushed with the assurance of an
easy victory. Remember the brilliant
achievements at Springfield and Lexing-
ton.
The difficulties which beset lis for q
time, are resulting in permanent advan-
tages. The rigid blockade which it was
vainly supposed would stawe us into sub
mission, has not only taught us how easily
we can dispense with the luxuries to which
we have been accustomed, but having
thrown us upon our own resources. it has
developed internal sources of wealth OF
which we had lived in comparative igno.
rance.
Instead of the bread which we have
heretofore purchased beyond our own
limits, we have furnished it ourselves in
tourtold abundance from our own TEEN
ing and generous soil. The contempla.
tion of a possible future necessity has
taught us that we can produce within the
limits of the Contederacy every necessary
,o1n Co, l., l..
dependent upon others. Tennessee alone
under the stimulant of constant demand
can supply food and clothing for more
than three times her population.
The very enormities which have char
acteri2ed the acts of the Government Of
the United States, and which were de
signed to strike terror to the bosom oi
the Southern people, have only served to
steel our hearts, and nerve our arms, and
to add another and irresistible impulse tC
our determination to free ourselves non
and forever, from all political association
or connection with our former confeder
ates.
Although the patriotic devotion of the
entire South to the canse in which We
have staked "our lives, our fortunes, anc
Our sacred honor" is worthy of all praise
yet ] may be pardoned for referring witt
feelings of pride and satisfaction. to tn,
proud and patriotic stand which Tennes
see has taken in this great struggle, apc
the liberal contributions of gallant mer
and munitions of war which she ha
made to the cause of Southern Independ
ence.
1t is due to Tennessee to say, and it ma,
be said without disparagement to othe
States that our people have done more il
the work of raising, organizing, armini
and equipping an army than was ever be
fore accomplished by any State in til,
same length of time.
Having no military organizations, ant
almost without arms, and destitute o
authority to raise troops or procure arm
until the passage of the act of the 9th O
May last. within less than two month
from the passage Of this act. thirt,,- 4'.Se'
sand volunteers were organized an'
| thrown into the field Zoo much credi
cannot be awarded to the patriotic peo
pie of the State for the alacrity will
which they rushed to the standard o
their country upon the first intimation o
necessity. l have been compelled to de
cline the services of large number ten
dered in excess of the demand.
| Much credit is due, also, to the officer
of the provisional army for the prompt
tude with which they organized and pre-
pared so largo force for effective service
in the field. refer you to the report o
Adjutant General McHenry for full par
tculars in detail as to the organization G
the Provisional Army of Tennessee
This army was, on the 3lst day of Jul,
last, by my general order of that date
transferred to the service OF the Confed
crate States of America.
In addition to the Provisional Army O
the State, number of regiments hav
been raised for Confederate service, NAL,
ing in the aggregate thirty-eight infantr
regiments, seven cavalry tattalons an
sixteen artillery companies which Ter
nessee has contributed 10 the commo
defense.
| The duty of furnishing AIMS, munition
and the means necessary 20 clothe an
subsist the Provisional Amy devo.ve