The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-02-28
Proclamation.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, |
February 10, 1862. |

~ He feOpfe 0 tennessee:
The fall of Fort Donelson, so bravely
and SO gloriously defended, and accom-
plished only by vastly superior numbers
opened the approaches to your State
which is now TO become the grand thea
ter, wherein brave people will show tc
the world, by their heroism and suffering
that they are worthy to be, what they
have solemnly declared themselves to be,
| freemen.
Tennesseeans, the soil of your State is
polluted with the footstep of the invader.
Your bretheren of the advance guard
have fallen-nobly yielding life in the
endeavor to secure for you and your chill
dren the priceless inheritance of freedom.
The tyrant and the usurper marches his
hosts upon your homes. They come flush
ed with temporary success and confident
in their numbers, yet relying upon your
tame submission. The hour is full Of trial
and danger, yet it is such, in The provi-
dence of God, as will test our manhood
and our spirit. Let us as one man rally
to meet the responsibilities thus cast upon
us to repel the invader and maintain the
assertion of our independence.
As Governor of your State, and COM
mander-inrchief of its army, | call upon
every able-bodied man Of the State, with
out regard to age, to enlist in its service.
| command him who can obtain a weapon
to march with our armies. | ask him who
can repair or forge an arm, to make it
ready at oEce for the soldier. call upon
every citizen to open his purse and his
store-houses of provisions to the brave de-
tenders of our soil. | bid the old and the
young, wherever they may be, to stand as
pickets to our struggling armies.
70 our soldiers-the gallant volunteers
who are already enlisted in the defense of
our cause-I appeal. Your discipline,
your skill, and your courage constitute
the hope, the pride, and the reliance of
your State. Amid the thickening perls
that now environ US, undismayed and un-
daunted, re-volunteer, and from the ashes
of our reverses the fire of faith in the lib.
erty for which we strive will be rekindled.
You have done we'll and nobly, but the
work is not yet accomplished. The ene-
my still tlaunts his banner in your face;
his foot is upon your native soil; the echo
of his drum is heard in your mountains
and valleys; hideous desolation will soon
mark his felon track, unless he is repelled.
To you who are armed, and have looked
death in the face, who have been tried
and are the sold Guard" the State ap-
peals to uphold her standard. Encircle
that standard with your valor and your
heroism, and abide the fortunes of war so
long as an enemy of your State shall dare
confront you. Tho enemy relies upon
your failure to re-enlist, and makes sure
of easy victory in your whntof endurance.
Disappalnt him
TO those who have not enlisted Tor the
war appeal. Go, cheer your brethren
already there. Your native land now calls
upon you, you have only waited until you
were needed. The Confederate govern
ment calls upon me to raise thirty-two
regiments. You will be armed. Come
then, it Is for your independence, your
homes, your wives, your children, and
Tennessee you are to fight. Who will,
who can remain idly at home? Will you
stand still and let others pour out their
blood for your safetyH Patriotism and
manhood would alike cry out against you.
Let not day pass until you are enroll
ed. Let the volunteer in the field re-
enlist. Let him who can, volunteer for
the war. Let those of whom imperative
obligations demand shorter term of SER
vice muster as militia man.
Tennesseeans! you have name in his
tory; you have traditional renown; shall
these be forfeited IN the day Of your coun-
try's trial? Shall the black banner of
subjugation wave in triumph over your
altars and your homes? Shall there
breathe between you and your God an
earthly master before whom your proud
spirits shall quail, and your knees be made
to tremble? By the memory Of our glori-
Gus deadly the sacred names of our
wives and children-by our own faith and
our own manhood-no! Forbid it sons of
Tennessee; forbid it men of the plains and
of the mountains. invoke Iou now to
follow me; am of the army of Tennessee,
determined upon the field to stake the
honor and the name Of that army of
which you have made me commander-in-
chief. 1t is there that | will meet with
you, whatever may threaten or imperil
lHe lalT ldIlle vi cltueTs III NleW Vi luc
exposed condition Of your capital and, by
authority Of a resolution adopted by the
General Assembly, have called the
members Of the Legislature together at
this city.
1t was duty conceived owed you
to remove, whilst it could be done in per-
feet safety, the-archives of the. State
This is not fit occasion TO inquire how
your capital became so exposed. A series
Of reverses, not looked for, made the way
to Nashville comparatively easy to the
enemy. Temporarily, and until our ar
mics have made stand, the officers of
State will be located in Memphis.
Leaving the officers of State to the i'm
mediate discharge of their duties, ! repair
to the field ,eand again invoke you to fol.
low me TO the battle wherein the fortunes
of all are to be lost or won. Orders to the
militia will be issued with this proclama-
ton, designating the rendezvous, and Civ
ing such other directions as may be neces-
sary and proper am pleased 10 accom-
pany this proclamation with the assurance
that active aid and heavy support will be
given you by the Confederate government.
lSHAM G, HARRIS.
GENERAL ORDERS mol.
EXECUTIVE HEADaUARTERs, !