Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-19
All Right at 'Iuper's Ferry.
THE FALSE REPORT t0kTaADlC TED.

THE FALSE aEP0hl JON RADIG Ed
BALTIMORE, Nov. 18.-The rumors of dis
aster at Harper's Ferry are all imaginary.
Nothing of the kind had occurred there up to
O'Clock this afternoon.
Jackson was reported falling back towards
Front Royal.
--yEsSges ting to Officers and Soldiers Inn
TrOperly Absent from the Army.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.-Gen. HalIeck has
resolved to adopt the most stringent measures
for compelling officers to pay that attention to
their duties which natural pride and a sense
OF duty would seem in too many cases unable
to enforce. Delinquent commissioned officers
are to be taught by prompt and ineXorable
punishment, that their superior rank and high
er intelligence will only be regarded as aggra-
yations Of every fault they may commit, it be-
ing resolved that the soldiers and non com
missioned officers of our armies shall have no
reason to complain of being held accountable
for otfenses which are committed with impuni-
ty by those who should set them examples of
strict subordination and discipline.
Provost marshals, policemen and military
police and officers specially detailed for the
purpose, are now being sent to all the princi-
pal cities and over all the lines Of railroads
throughout the country, to collect the names
OF officers absent from the armies in the field
and in garrison, and all officers so found
absent without the proper and specific
authority prescribed in general orders of the
war department, will be either Immediately
and ANONYMOUSLY dismissed from the service
or will be placed on trial for desertion while
in the presence Of the enemy. 1t is under
stood that long list of names for dismissal
has been already prepared, and that numer-
Gus dismssals for cause will be made in few
days. Indeed the rumor prevails, and there
Is reason to believe it, that more than one
thousand commissioned officers are now alb
sent without leave, and are SO reported, all of
whom will be dismissed under circumstances
attaching disgrace to their names, leaving
them no possibility for a return to the service
or any other employment under the national
government
One Of the favorte subterfuges practiced by
officers ANXIOUS to skulk from their duties has
been to quit their commands on surgeons
certificate, or on a pretended leave of absence
signed by some subordinate officer colonel,
or brigadier general, who had no power to give
it; and then if discovered, urge the plea OF
ignorance of the orders and regulations on
this subject; but all leaves of absence, to be
of avail, must emanate from the very highest
sourse. as prescribed in the general orders.
and ali officers absent on medical certificates
must be sure that their certificate is issued by
competent authority. and that thev do not re-
main absent one day after being sufficiently
physically re-established to ioin their com
mands. even though not re-estabIisbed
enough for a full return 10 active duty.
While these steps are being taken with re-
card to officers, measures of an equally strin-
cent and effective character are in prooross
to arrest immense numbers of deserterS now
scattered through the country. and hold them
to the severest penalties prescribed by militia
nv law for their offences. ills the deternIina-
ton of the authorities to make examines
which will cause every soldier to consider Sc
riouslv before eyposing himself to the chances
of an infamous death as the penalty of de-
sorting his standard.
Many of the men now absent are deserters
from the army in the field. and not a few of
them, lured bv the bounty. have enlisted in
the new organizations. but their re-enlistment,
as they will be taught, is no excuse for their
desertion; and ali officers of the recently
raised regiments. knowing sucb aeserters IN
he in their ranks. and NOT sending tbem bacl,
sander ouard to tbeir old commands will Inc
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