Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-28

The subjoned eloquent and spirited order of Maj Gen.
BANKS does honor alike the head and heart of that
distinguished commander:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
l9h Army Corps, Opeionsas, april 25, 1863.
Sergeants Brady, Stapeton, Mccormick, Reinhardt,
Sheble Neal Harris Darken and two hundred and sixty.
nine Of the Eighth Infantry the Regular Army of
the United States having been exchanged by the rebel
Orleans the 25h Of f. bruary 1868 and portion of
them, under command Of Lieut. Copey Amory, Fourth
Cavalry reached this poet the 23d instant to share
with the honors Of this campaign It has been deemed
but act Of justice these gallant men to relieve them
from this service, and to expedite their to the
North They separate from tia command this day In
honor Of their departure from Opelousas the Command
ing General has ordered national salute and similar
honor will be paid them upon their departure from New
Orleans. Capt cambridge at Opeousas and Brig Gen.
Sherman at New Orleans charged with the execution
Of this order.
These gallant of the army Of the United States in
Texas were shameully and Internationally surrendered
90 the rebel authorities BY their superior officers on the
9th OF May 1861 Separated from their officers divided
into squads and removed to different posts on the frontiers
of Texas deprived of pay for than two years they
were subjected to degrading labors supplied with scany
iood and Clothing, and sometimes chained to the ground
or made to suffer other military punisbments.
Recruiting officers visited them daily, Offering them
missions and large bouues to desert their flag Nowith
standing the false reports the overthrow Of their Govern
ment which seduced many of higher pretensons
and pos uDsustaned by COUNSEL with each other, with
lew exceptions they repealed the brides and avoided the
treason. Those chose different did IL to
escape their prison.
No Government has ever been faithfully served
than by these men, Officers Of the army and navy to
whom they had right to turn for counsel and pie
who had been educated by the Government and
ceved months pay that not drawn from its Golfers
borne honor that it did not conerat the frst sug
geson Of treason betrayed the mother that nursed them
aud deserted the flag that protected them. With every
branch of the Government within their control and the
continent under their feet they yielded TO the ndecency
and folly Of the rebellion and without shadow of
they sought to bacsen the Of America and Ameri
cans by fastening upon her the greatest crime OF human
hstoy--that OF destroying the best Government
framed, and annihating the weloun led hopes Of hui
rnanty in republican liberty. Thank God the officers
could not corrupt the they commanded Not sol
der Ut the army sailor Of the navy voluntarily
abandoned bis The poisonous subtetes Of secession
never touched the hearts Of the people led them to
substitute the guilty ambition Of vulgar owbred provin
casm for the halIowed hopes Of national patriotism
Soldiers! let the gallant that part from US to-day
receive the honors they deservthe peal OF the cannon
and the shouts Of the line Let them receive wherever
they CO. the homage Of the army and together The
army and navy forever
BY command Of Major General BANKS;
RICHARD b. IRWIN,
Assistant Adjutsnt General.