The New York herald., 1862-02-25
Gen. Mcclernand'. Order Of tho Day.


HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION,
FORT DoNEIsoN, Feb II, 1852
OFFICERS AND MEN FIRST DIVISION OF THE AD-
VANCE FoRcEs-You have continually led the way in tho
Valley OF the Lower Missssipp the Tennessee and the
Cumberland. You have carried the flag Of the Union
further South than any other land torces marching from
the interior towards the seaboa-d
Being first division to enter Fort Henry, you also
pursued the enemy miles capturing from him. In his
flight field pieces many Of his standards and nags,
number Of prisoners and great quantity OF military
stores.
Following tho enemy to this place. you the first
to encounter him outside of his intenchments, and to
drive him within them.
Pursuing advantage, the next day, in the night,
you advanced upon his lines, in the face Of his works
and batteries, and for the tino silonced them.
The next day skrmshing all along his LETT you darng
y charged upon his edoubts under deadly lire OF grape
and canister and only prevented from taxing them
by natural obstacles and the accumulated masses which
hurried forward to defend them.
The day you extended your right in the face Of
newly erected batteries quite to the Cumberland thus
investing his works for nearly two miles.
The day after standing under arms for two days
and nights amid driving storms of snow and rain, and
pinched by hunger, the enemy advanced In force to
open the way to his escape.
BY his own confession formed in a column Of ten
cessIve regiments ho concentrated his attack upon
single point. You repulsed him repeatedly from seven
O'Clock to eleven A. NJ, often driving back his formda-
bic odds.
Thus, after three days fighting, when your ammunition
was exhausted, you fell back until II came up and re-
formed q second lne in his face.
Supported by fresh troops under the lead Of brave
and able officer, the enemy again driven back, and
by combined advance from all sides finally de-
teated His unconditional surrender the next day con-
summated the victory.
Undverted by any attack for near hours from any
ohe part Of nes the enemy left to concentrate
his attack with superior numbers yours Thus while
you engaged for longer time than any other Of
forces, you were subjected 10 much greater loss.
The battle field testies TO your vor and constancy
Even the magnannity Of the enemy accords to you
unsur hcrosm and enviabe and brilliant share
in the hardest fought battle and most decisive victory
ever fought and won on the American continent.
Your trophies speak for themselves. They consist OF
many thousands Of prisoners OF forty pieces OF can
non and extensive mag of all kinds OF ordnance
quartermasters and commits ary stores.
The death knel Of the rebellion is sounded. An army
has been annihiated and the way TO Nashville and Me
phis opened. This fact should as II wn
encourage you to in the path Of duty and OF
glory. 1t must alleviate your distress for your bravo
comrades who have fallen been wounded. II viii mi
gate the grief Of bereaved wives and mourning parents
and kindred II will be your claim to place in the az
fecton Of your counrymen and upon bazoned page Of
history. BY order Of
Brig. Gen. McCIERNAND, Commanding.
A. SCHWARTZ, Captain and Acting Chief Of staG.