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 OF
the most tremendous character. Our cit
izens 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
federate capital, and inflicted q 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 a brave
and devoted army and this address Of
the Commander in Chief is as well meri
ted as it is chaste and appropriate. The
brief recapituation 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 7th, 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 tue army
by whose valor such splendid results have e
been achieved.
On Thursday, June Goth, the powerful
and thoroughly equipped army Of the
enemy was enlrenched in works vast in
extent and most formidable ia character.
within sight Of our Capitol.
To-day the remains Of that confident
and threatening host lie upon the banks
Of James river, thirty miles from Rich
mond, seeking to recover, under the pro.
lection OF his gunboats, from the effects
Of a series OF disastrous defeats.
The battle beginning on The afternoon
Of the 26,h June above MechanicsviIle,
continued until the night Of July ls,,
with only such intervals as were neces. asy
to pursue and overtske the flying foe.-
Ills strong entertainments and obstinate
resistance we're overcome, and our army
swept resistlessIy down the north side Of
the Chickahominy, until it reached the
rear of the enemy, and broke bis com
'nunica,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 for,ifcations on the south side
OF the Chickahomiuy. and driving him to
q ptec'pltste retreat. This victorious
army pursued, as rapidly as the obs,ruc
tions placed by the enemy 10 his rear
would permit, three times over,aking his
flying column, and as often driving him
with slaughter from the field, leaving his
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
OF siege, the route Of the grea, army tha,
so long menaced its safety, many thou
sand prisoners, including officers Of high
rank. the capture or destruction Of stores
TO the value Of millions, and the acouisi.
ton CT thousands Of arms and fifty one
pieces Of supeuor artillery.
The service rendered to the country in
this short but even,ful period can scarce
Iy be estimated, and the General Com.
manding cannot adequately express his
admiration OF the courage, endurance
and soldIerly couduc, of the officers and
men engaged.
Those brilliant results have cost us
many brave men, but while we mourn
the loss Of our gallant lead, let us no,
forget that they died nobIy 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 sacrsI, and deser.
wing nations gratitude and paise.
by command Of General Lee.
(Signed,) Il. ii. CHILroN,
A. A. General.
SALT.-We are pleased To sav that ,b;s