Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-29
E.ien.snan..eeaeraL Pember.oa.

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Efeuienant-GeneraI Penberton.
From the 8l,ssissippianl
Disclaiming a motive to draw invidious dis
tinotion between this officer and any ether, WC
but sfirm a pslpable fact when we say, that al
ready. on every hand the beneficial effects Ol
BIS administration of the affairs of this military
department are visible
Bsfore assuming command here. the chances
Of war had not placed his name prominently be-
fore the country in connection with the great
battles which have signslized the history Of the
eventful times, but IN the Mexicsn war he was
thrice brevetted for gallant and meritorioUs con-
duct. and in this struggle he has been placed in 8
position Of trust and responsibility, second
scarcely to any other, and in the discharge o;
the dutes which devolved upon him has fully
justified the confidence which the President had
reposed ia him
The successor Of Gen Lee, the great leader
Of the army OF Northern Virginia, in the com
maud of the department embracing the coasts OF
Georgia aud South Carolina and the important
cities Of Savannah aud Charleston, be placed 1t
in a condition of defense which has thus far de-
fed all the assaults Of the enemy and which
has extorted the unqualified commentator Of
Gen Besuregard, the present commander Of the
department.
General Pemberton assumed command of this
department at an hour of the greatest gloom and
dependency. The battle of Corinth had been
fought and lost The foe was exaltant. Our
troops were Discouraged, and dark cloud hung
over 1he entire department Without display,
be Al once entered upon his duties, issuing or
I 3ers of the most stringent character, restoring
discipline among the troops and promoting sys-
TEN aud efficiency ia the quaTteTmasteT, com
missary, ordnance and medical departments.
Having set in motion the machinery for the ac-
complement of these results, be made haste 81
visit every important point within the limits oil
1 his command. Now a. Port Hudson thoroughly
inspecting by his own superior judgment what
ever was needed to give strength to that posi-
tion-then at Yicksburg, with rapid movement
and quickness Of perception thoroughly exam
lining our deienses and directing whatever could
be done to improve cur for6heations OF these
changes and additions, it does not become US to
speak in detail. Upon the report Of the advance
F Of the enemy al Hol y Springs; be placed him
self at the head OF the army with s purpose to
lead It ia person The plans which are now in
progress for the protection of this valley are his
own, and viii be succe ssful if the people who
are directly Interested win come to his aid and
perform their share Of the work
He has dispatched FL duty in all the branches
of the army, active, vigilant officers, requiring
constant reports Of their work, thus attending
through them to4he wants and necessities of the
entire department No officer ever devoted him
self with greater sssidUjty to his duties. Late
and early he is at his Office, lab0ring incesssnt
lv. examining reports from the various divisions
of his command and dispatching the necessary
orders HIS care is csuHng to be provided ac-
c0mmodatious for the sick aud wOGnded-his
watchful supervision Of those departments upen
which he relies for equipment and subsistence
"a l. Il Il kA,stE Err
name, prudent and ssgacioUs general
We affirm what in all sincerity, we believe to
be true, that he is doing sl that mortal man can
do, with the means at his disposal, to strengthen
his army and promote its efficiency. To this
end he is directing al his energies, lie has a
hsrculeau task before bim. The defense of this
beaut.fu. valley Is worthy Of the prewes5 Of the
noblest army that was ever led to battle, and the
skill and energy Of the sblest and most daTiBg
general in the service of the Confederacy.
We alluded above to Gen Pemberton's com
mand Of the department embracing the South
Carolina and Georgia ssaboard, and the great
cities which adom it. In this connection, we
deem it proper to reproduce in our columns the
subioined testimonial from the Charleston Mer-
cu7-g, on the occasion Of his assignment 70 his
new field Of labor;
MAJOR GENERAL JOHN G PEMBERToN---
l Soon fter the fall Of the Port Royal batteries,
and the invasion Of our seacosst by the enemy,
I General Pamberton was sent to South Carolina,
1 in lieu of General Van Dorm, whom the South
/ Carolina delegation had applied for, TO come
with General Evans and Gregg, three officers OF
repute for dsring and activity. From that time
uail last week, Gen. Pemberton has had a COM
mand here-at first as a brigadier. and then,
upon the departure Of Gen Lee to Virginia, as
rnsi9r-general commanding the department His
/ stay in South Carolina has been characterized
/ by long months of ardUoUs, ineessant labor and
! devoted energy and, IN that tme although little
| known here when he came, he has established
+ the reputation of an accomplished and thorough
soldier. BE ha7 associated bis destines with US,
1 lived with us, and served Us faithfully, and we
/ deem it due 10 bis ardent and unremitting exer-
/ tiOHs to express our appreciation OF his merits
as an officer, and our regrets that he has judged
/ II Necessary to leave us nader existing cIreun-
stances. We had hoped that he would have
! lent to Gen Beauregard the assistance of hi,
] knowledge and energy toward the defense OF oul
coast and city.
/ Asa Young man, upon the fields Of Mexico
/ and as member Of Gen WOrths staff, Gen.
/ Psmberlon long since achieved for himself the
reputation of most dashing and gallant sci
/ der. And at the outbreak Of this war, he bore
/ in tlie old army Of the United States, the char
/ scter of an able officer and strict disepinsrian
/ Gsn. Pemberton, like Gen. Ripley, was not 8
! s' popular man" His habitual reserve and oc
4 casional bruseueness Of manner forbid. Yet Il
these better acq aainted with lin and his lsbors
/ against prejudice and misconoeptioD, he wol
/ greatly upon their confidence and esteem, anC
/ leaves many wsrm friends in South Carolina
4 His Independence and directness are marked
4 characteristic, worthy Of appreciation. For hi
I Is q soldiey-a thorough goldier-aud the char
4 scler of the soldier has stamped itself upon hi
whole mind and bearing. His energy Of char
sctar, keenness Of perception, quickness
/ thought, promDtness of action and esTDestnes
in preparation, with the professional knowledg'
and practical experience he possesses came
fail 70 render him an officer whose services VII
carry strength in the field wherever be may b.
assigned
He has the cordial good wishes of 4 large por
tion Of this community ia bis future career. An
his amisble chief Of staff, the precise and lumin
Gus Major WaddF, also bears with him the re
spect aud regards Of msny.-CharlestoH Mer
eiTG
A Bsby FSnad on sse TsattIe-Field OF IN
II Raafchie.
Ext act Of letter from private soldier Ia the let
Illinois regiment
BOLIVAR, Tenn, November l0-Let me II
Ia4a 10 you q touching little incident, that wi
doubtlesa strike you ss & Bttle strange.
thought it strange whep ! witnessed it.; m
comrades thought it passing strange" if NJ
/ u-oD9erful At the battle Of the Hstchie, Whe
.---s rroe-frf. faroaaf uuon hdva n