Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-10-17
AN IMPORTANT GENERAL ORDER.


HEADauARrERs AMY OF THE PoroNAo, !
Camp near Sharpsburgh, Md, Oct. Z.
GENERAL ORDER, No. l63.--The attention
Of The officers and soldiers Of the Army Of
the Potomac is called to General Orders, No
1889. War Department, Sept. "a, 1862,
publishing to the army the Presidents Proc
lsmstiou Of Sept. 22d. A proclaim alton OF
ouch grave moment to the nation officially
communicated To the army affords to the
General commanding an opportunity OF de-
finine specifically TO the officers and soldiers
under his command tho relation borne by all
persons In the military service of the United
States toward the civil authorities Of the
Government. The constitution confdes 20
the civil authorities legislation, judicial and
executive, the power and duty of making,
expounding and executing the Federal laws.
Armed forces are raised and supported simp-
ly to sustain the civil authorities, and are to
be held in strict subordination thereto In all
respects. This fundamental rule Of our po-
liiical system is essential to the security Of
our Republican institutions, and should be
thoroughly understood and observed by every
soldier. The principle upon which, and the
objects for which armies shall be employed
in suppressine the rebellion must be de-
termined And declared by the civil authori-
ties, and the Chief Executive, who is charged
With the administration Of the National al.
fairs, in the proper and only source through
which the views and orders Of the Govern
rnent can be made known 10 the armies of the
nation. Discussion by officers and the sol
diers concerning public measures determined
upon and declared by the Government, when
carried at all beyond the ordinary temperate
and respectful expression Of opinion, tend
greatly to impair and destroy the discipline
and efficiency of troops by substituting the
spirit Of political faction for that firm, steady
and earnest support Of the authority of the
Government, which is the highest duty Of
the American soldier. The remedy for po-
liticsl errors, If any one committed, is to be
found only in the action of the people at the
polls. In thus calling the attention of this
army to the true relations between the sol
diers and the Government, the General Com
mauding merely sdverts to an evil against
which it has been thought advisable during
our whole history to guard the armies of the
Republic, and in so doing he will not be con-
sidered by any right-minded person as cast
ing any reflection upon that loyalty and good
conduct which has been so fully illustrated
upon 50 many battle fields. In carrying out
all measures of public policy, this army will
of course be guided by the same rules of
mercy and Christianity that here ever con
trolled its conduct toward the fencoless. -
BY command of
Mai Gen. MCCLELLAN.
James A. Hardee, Lieut. Col and Ade-de-
Camp, and a. A. A. @.
Gen Mcclellan has just issued the follow
ing order relative to the battle of Antietam,
which explains itself
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, !
Camp near Sharpsburgh, Oct. 8.
General order No. l6
The commanding general extends his congratulations
To the army under his command for the victories achiey
ed by their bravery at the passes Of South Mountain and
upon the Antietsm creek.
The brilliant conduct Of Reno's and Hooker's corps
under Burnside at Turner'S Gap, and Franklns corps
Crompton's pass, in which in the face Of the enemy
strong position and resisting with obstinaoy they
red the mountain and prepared the way the advance
Of the army won for them the admiration Of their breth
rem In arms
In the memorable battle Of Antetam we defeated nu-
merous and powerful army Of the enemy action des-
peraey fought and remarkable for It's duraton and for
the destruction Of life which attended, it, The obstinate
bravery Of the troops Of Hooker Mansfield and summer,
the dashing gaaniy Of those OF Franklin the right,
the sturdy yalor Of those OF Burnside the left and
vigorous support Of Porter and Pleasanton present
brilliant spectacle to oountrymen which will swell
their heats with pride aud exultaton.
Fourteen guns, thirty mine coors, fifteen thousand
hve hundred stand Of arms and nearly six thousand
rsoners taken from the enemy, is evidence OF the
peteness of our triumph.
A grateful country will thank this noble army for
aeh, which have rescued the loyal States Of the
East from the rayages Of the invader and have driven
him from their borders While rejoicing at the victories
which, under Gods blessing, have crowned our exer-
tons let us cherish the memory Of companions
who have laid down their lives upon the battle field
martyrs in their couniry's cause. Their names will
ever be enshrnsd in the hearts Of the people.
By command Of Maj. Gen. MCCLELLAN
Z. W. WILLIAMS,
Asst. Adj. General