Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-11
GENERAL ORDER NO. &c.
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
PADUCAH, KY, November 81, 1861,

Ga the afternoon of the 25sh inst, grave breach
of discipline was committed by part of this cons
mand chiefly, if not altogether, by the officers ard
soldiers of the llth Indiana regiment, in the rails
ing of flag over the house Of resident of this
city not, certainly by the act of raising our flag,
but by the manner Of proceeting-the attendant
circumstances.
The commanding general desires to address those
engaged in this proceeding in a kindly spirit. He
is aware that they have subjected themselves to
prosecution under the articles Of war. He is
compelled to denounCe the transaction as a great
violation of good order and military discipline but
he is inclined to the belief that those engaged in it
will, upon reflection, come to regard it in that light
themselves. HGd It been possible for him to have
anticipated its occurrence it would have been his
duty by al the means at his command and at every
hazard to have prevented It. The affair is the
Notifying to him from the fact that, i long mil
itary life it is the first proceeding of a mutinous
character that ever happened with troops under
his immediate command; that if his feelings were
wounded by the transaction as he admits they were,
he is confident, sensible intelligent and generous
man, such rs he believes compose the command he
more especially addresses, viii make due allowance
for the pride and sensibiities of an officer who has
given nearly thirty-seYen years of LIS life to the
service of his country IN the army.
Though the occurrence may sui oct him TO crit.
icism by those placed over him in authority, he Is
disposed to let it drop without QyestigatOn; less
however, for his own sake than that of The persons
engaged in it So disposed on his side, he trusts
they will listen patiently to his remOnstranCes
against like occurrences in the future.
In this spirit the commanding general appeals,
then, to the intelligence of officers and soldiers.
Although Kentucky is full Of traitors. her Legisla
ture left her one of the States Of the Union; and
our forces on her soil are charged with the high
mission of projecting her people and sovereignty.
More plainly, he desires every soldier, without res
gard to his position, to know that he Is sent kere
by the government as the protector Of loyal State,
which, though occupied by rebel armies, Is not an
enemy's country; and that success requires him by
the patient exercise Of moderation, obedience and
charity, Is earn that character from both friends
and fees. We charge the rebels with oppression;
IS it policy to subject ourselves, cause, our
Gag TO like charged Our boast is that we are
fighting for government that never harmed a
citizen; whose thanks viii we earn if we are the
first to rob ourselves of that boast?
The general has derived great satisfaction from
the soldiery department of those he more parte u
lsrly addresses; and it is hardly enough to say
that it grieved him TO them manifest the slight
est spirit of disordeE All his hopes for the tri-
umph of our flag, and its re-erecton in the rebel
liOus States are based upon the discipline of the
army; and he feels every blow to that discipline as
q blow at the common cause Upon the restors-
ton of peace, each soldier will go back to the civil
pursuits from which be came How important
that he should do so without repcoach or shame
Property, liberty, go7ernment-eYerythiOg pre-
cioUs--has been committed to the army. When the
army supplants the commander, or turns from the
path of order bursts the bonds Of discipline, ii
makes itself thing Of terror and ruin. Enthusi-
ssm for the flag is q thing to be encouraged; the
general would DO every thing in his power to raise
1t TO the highest pitch, yet he calmly asks each
soldier to watch its fiery impulses lest, whilst fit
ting him for bodness in battle they do not plunge
HIM unguardedy into excuses.
In conclusion, the General asks the soldiers of his
command by their conduct in the future, their gen.
teness to friends and their moderation towards IN
armed enemies, living under the shadow of our
flag, to give HIM reason to believe they admit the
necessity of order and are willing to enforce it. II
they viii only exercise their intelligence, and not
forget the Observance Of law which becomes them
as citizens will still more become them soldiers
no complaint Will ever be heard against them from
any source.
By order of Brig. Gen. c. F. SMITH.
]. T. PRICE, Lieut. and Aid Camp.
The affair has created intense excitement among
the soldiers, and WsllsCss naturalization is enthu
siastically approved.