The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-07-23

for the recognition Of the independence
Of the so called Confederate States, and
that step would involve consequences o
the most tremendous character. Our cit
liens should hold great public meeting
where the voice Of the people could be
heard and the conservative strength and
power Of this metropolis made manifest
Gen Lees Address to His Soldiers
We lay before our readers the admira
ble address of Gen. r. f. Lee to the gal
liant troops whose patriotic sacrifices have
accomplished the salvation Of the Con
federa,e capital, and inflicted blow
, upon The forces Of the North which must
have most crushing effect. Rarely in
the annals Of warfare has such series of
successes attended the efforts Of bra, o
and devoted army ; and this address of
the Commander in Chief is as well mer
ted as it is chas,e and appropriate. The
brief recapitulation Of the results Of the
battles around Richmond affords some
idea Of the obstacles that have been met
and overcome by our forces.
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD,
July 7lh, 1862.
General Orders, No rs.
The General Commanding, profoundly
grateful to the only Giver Of all victory
for the signal success with which he has
blessed our arms, tenders his warmest
thanks and congratulations TO the army
by whose valor such splendid results have
been achieved.
On Thursday, June Goth, the powerful
and thoroughly equipped army Of the
enemy was entrenched in works vast in
extent aud most formidable in character,
within sight Of our Capitol.
To-day the remains Of that confiIen,
and Threatening host lie upon the banks
of James river, thirty miles from Rich
mond, seeking to recover, under the pro.
lection Of his gunboals, from the effects
Of series Of disastrous defeats.
The battle beginning on the afternoon
Of the 26.h June, above Mechanicsvile,
continued until the night Of July ls,,
with only such intervals AS were neces. ary
to pursue and over,~ke the flying foe.-
Lis strong en,renchments and obstinate
resistance were ercome, and our army
swept resistless'y down the north side Of
the Chickahominy. until it reached the
rear OF The enemy, and broke bis com
'nunca,lon with the York, capturing or
causing the destruction Of many valuable
stores. and, by the decisive battle Of Fri
day, forcing the enemy from his line Of
powerful foriifications on tie south side
OF the Chickahomiuy, and driving him TO
precipitste retreat. This victorious
army pursued, as rapidly rs the obs,ruc
lions placed by the enemy 10 his rear
would permit, three times overtaking bis
hy'"g column, and as often driving him
with slaughter from the field, leaving bis
numerous dead and wounded in our
hands in every conflict.
The immediate fruits Of our succ.ss
are the relief OF Richmond from a state
ot siege, the route Of the great army ,ha,
so long menaced its safety, many thou.
sand prisoners, including officers Of high
rank, the capture or destruction Of stores
10 the value Of millions, and the acouisi.
ton CT thousands Of arms and fity one
pieces Of superior artillery.
The service rendered TO the country in
this short but eventful period can scarce
Iy be estimated, and the General Com.
manding cannot adequately express his
admiration Of the courage, endurance
and soIdlerIy conduct Of the officers and
men engaged.
Those brilliant results have cos, US
many brave men, but while we mourn
the loss Of our gallant lead, let US no,
forget that they died nobly in defence Of
their country's freedom, and have linked
their memory with an event that will live
forever in the hearts Of a grateful people.
Soldiers Your country will thank YOU
for the heroic conduct you have dis.
worthy Of men engaged
in cause so just and sacreI, and deser.
wing a nations gratitude and pase.
By command Of General Lee.
(Signed) Il. II. CunroS,
A. A. General.
G.,- w - -I---- -- -, =.