Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-25
SWORD AND PEN.
Special Order on the Oeath of GeneraI
YiIlepiRue,
HEADQUARTERS Army RESERVE CORPS

HEABoUARTEHS ARMY RESERVE CORPS !
November 10th, 1862.
Special Order No. 5.
SOLDIERS: Bngsdier General john B Vile
| pigue, our commander, is no more. he died on
yesterday evening al five minutes to 8 O'Clock.
While the death of such 8 man is a national ca
lamity, only those who knew him personally can
feel the ~irreparsble loss his immediate command
has sustained.
General Villspigue was an officer in the old or
United States Army. He resigned his commits
sion Immediately upon the secession of his ma
tive State, South Carolina, and became one Of
that gallant band who so h%eroicly defended
Charleston from tbs sggressions of the invader.
Since that time be has been in the military ser
vices of the Confedersey.
The estimate placed upon his services has
been sttested by the responsible position as
signed him, and the still higher trust which an
approaching government was about to bestow
upon him.
General Villepigus sitterally won his rank
with his sword At Pensscola he early attracted
the attention Of Gen. Bragg, aud by him was
placed in command of Fort McRes, at that time
the post of honor and of danger. During the
terrific bombardment of the 22i and 23d Of No
venber, 1861, when the fort, isolated from the
main land, was exposed to . heavy FIRE from
Fort Pickens and the enemy's shipping, Gen.
Villepigue stood upon the parapet cheering bis
men and sharing with them every danger, nor
did he leave this exposed position until wounded
and bleeding he was carried below. That night
Gen Bragg hearing of his wound, sent q fa-
vorite officer to relieve him of his command.
General Villepigue sent the officer back with
the remark, that be would be well enough to
fight again in the morning.
General Bragg again sent to know il be could
hold the fort. The message was given to Gen.
Yillepigue, lying exhausted and weak upon his
couch.
The answer was worthy of the heroic man
who said it. Tell General Bragg that l con-
slider the fort untenable-but that I will hold It
as long as brick and mortar holds together, if he
orders it." AHd he did hold It!
The same bravery and uobleness character
lied his campaign at Fort Pillow. For fifty one
days be held this fort with a brave hand full of
men. egsirst the powerful fleet Of the enemy
who shelled his works day and night.
It is unnecessary 10 speak Of ais conduct on
the battlefield at Corinth. His troops witnessed
the order with which be led them against the
enemy, never faltering, bat going straight for
ward, allowing nothing to stop him uatil the
work entrusted TO him had been accomplished.
He shared every danger with his men, and led
bis brigade off the battlefield as he led them on
it, id rfect order. He always shared the for
tunes Of his troops in the camp, the bivouae and
the battlefield. Those only Of his immediate
command, who had been with him SO long, and
had learned to admire and love him so well, can
properly appreciate the greatness of the loss.
General Vlllepigue was one of those who en-
deavored at ell times and under all circum-
stances to attend TO bis duty-a rigid disci-
plinsrian.
No soldier ever appealed to him 70 i%stieN, in
vain.
He was a noble gentleman, a true so5irr
and a Christian. Though comparatively q
young man, Gin his thirty second y ar he IA
ten had learned to lcok upon him as one Of its
great military leaders. There are but few better
men left behind to do the great work before us.
His body will be returned to his native Caro-
lima.
His fame belongs to the Confederacy.
w. A QuARLEs,
Commanding army of Tennessee Corps.