Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-02-28
GES. LoGAS's ADDRESS.
HEADQUARTERS Sd DIVISION,
l7rH Army CoRPs,
MEMrnIg, Tenn, Feb. Il, '63


MY FELLoW.SOLDIERs: debility from
recent illness has prevented aud still pre-
vents NE from appearing before you, al
has been my custom, and is my desire, 1
is for this cause deem it my duty 10 com.
municatc with you now, and give you tht
assurance that your General still maintaias
unshakeu confidence 10 your patriotism de
votion, aud 10 the ultimate success Of Oul
glorious cause.
lam aware that influences Of the mos
discouraging and reasonable character,
well calculated and designed to render you
dissatisfied, have recently been brought tC
bear upon some Of you by prOfessed friends
Newspapers, containing REASONABLE arii.
Giles, arIfully falsifying the public sentI.
meat at your homes, have been circulated
at your camps. Intriguing political trick.
slCrs, demagogues and time. servers
whose corrupt deeds are but faint
reflex Of their more corrupt hearts,
seem determined to drive our people
ON 10 anarchy and destruction. They
have hoped, BY maQuifyiug the reVerses Of
our arms, basely misrepreJenting the con.
duet and slandering the character of our
soldiers in the field, and boldly denOunU-
ing the acts Of the constituted authorities
Of the Government as unconstitutional
usutpltiORs, to produce general demorAli.
zaGou in the army, and therAby reap their
political reward, weaken the cause we
bGvC espoused, and mid those arch traitors
Of the South TO lismembcr our mighty re-
public and trail in the dust tho emblem Of
our national unity, greatness and glory.
Let me remind you, my countrymen, that
we are soldiers OF the Federal Union,
armed for the preservation OF the Federal
Constitution aud the maintenance OF its
laws and authority. Upon your faithful.
ness and devotion, heroism and gallSntry,
depends its perpetuity. To us has been
committed this sacred inheritance, bap.
tized In the blood of our fathers We hre
soldiers Of Government that has always
blessed US with prosperity and happiness
II has given TO every American citizen
the largest freedom aud the most perfect
equality of rights and privileges It has
afforded us security In person and properly
and blessed US until under It's bvniiicent
influence we we're the proudest nation on
earth.
We should he united 10 our efforts 10 put
down IL rebellion that now, like an earth
quake, rocks the nation from State to State,
from cen,reLO circumference, nnd threatens
10 tngulph us all 10 one common ruin, the
horrors Of which no pen can portray. We
have solCmnIy sworn to benr true faith to
this Government, preserve its Constitution,
and defend its glorious flag against all irS
enemies mud OppressOrs. To urhRuIs has
been committed the liberties. thp prosper.
ny and happinrss OF future generAIioos,--
Shall We Le ray such u truN7 Shall the
b'ilIianvy Of your past achievements lie
duHmrd and furnished by hesitation, dis
cord and ,IsseusiOH, while armed traitors
menace you in front and unhrmrl traitors
intrigue against you in tho rear7 We are
in no way responsible for any action Of tbs
civil authorities. We constitute the mill
ury arm Of the Government, That the
civil power is threatened nnd attempted to
be pArAlyzed, 10 tho reason for resort to the
military power To MD the civil authors
uc4 (uot TO oppose or obStruct) In the ex-
rrrtse Of their authority Is our Office, and
shall we forget this duty, and stop to WTau.
gle nnd dispute on this or that political
net or measure, while the country Il bleed
ing NJ every pore, while fearful vail Of
anguish, wrHug from the heart Of dis
trnctel people, Is borne upon every breeze,
and widows and orphans are appealing 10
Us 10 NvpngG tho loss OF their loved ones
who hare fallen By our side ia defense oI
It's old blood. stained banner, and while
the Temple OF Liberty itself Is being sha.
ken to the very centre by the FuthlcSi
blows Of traitors, who have dcRecratCd out
flag, ObstruCIed our national highways
destroyed our peaes, desOlalcd our fire.
sides, anl draPed thousands Of homes Ia
mourning?
Let US stand firm at our posts Of duty
and honor, yielding cheerful Obedieuct
to all orders from our SuperIOrI, until, By
our united etTurts, the stars and stripes be
placed iH every city, town, aud hamlet Ia
the rebClliOus States. We eau then return
TO our hOmca, and, through tho bHllot'bOI
peacefully redress out wrongs, Il any We
have.
While rely upon you with confidence
aud pride, blush to confess that recently
some Of those who were once our cOmrAdcl
in arms have so far forgotten their honor
their onths and their country, HG to shame
fully desert US, and Skulkiugly make thei'
way to their homes, where, like cIlPrIts
they dare not look an honest man In IhI
lace. Disgrace and ignominy (f they es'
cape the penalty of the lAw) will not only
follow them to their diShOnorOd graves oul
will stamp their names and lnnngO viii
inINmy to tho latest generation. Thu
Ocoln and contempt Of every true man vii
ever follow those base men who, forget