Daily national Republican., 1863-10-26
Je6 Davts's Address 10 the Soldiers.
HEADaUARILRs ARMr o. TEKSEsSEE,

october IL, 1868. I
SOLDIERS: grateful country recognize.
YOUR arduous services, and rejoices over YOU
glorious victory On the field OF Chirkamauga
When your cuunlryincn shall more iuiIy IoarL
the adverse circumstances under which You at
tackled the enemy, though they cannot be more
thankful, they may admire more the gallantry
and patriotic devotion which secured your sue
cces. Representatives of every State of the
Confcdrracy. your stcps have bceu followed up
with aIectiunate solicitudc by friends in every
portion VI tue country; dCitndcrs of the heart
II our territory, your moi ciucnts have been al,
object of iutcrc.t, anxiety aud hope.
Our cause arl"nds Oh You. and happy ii il
that all eau rely upon your wing whatever,
underline blessing of Providence, human power
can effect
Though you have done much, very much re.
mains TO be done. Behind you Is a people pro
Niding for your support and depending upon
YOUR protection. Before you Is country de
vastated by your ruthless invaders, where genll,
woman, feeble age, helpless infancy, have bee,
subjected to outrages without parallel in III,
warfare of civilization.
With eager eye they watch for your coming
TO their deliverance, and homeless refugees pine
for the hour when your victorious arms shall
restore their family shelter from which they
have been driven and forced to take up arms to
vindicate their political rights, freedom, equal
ity, aud State sovereignty, which were a herl-
taEe purchased by the blood of your revolution
ary slres.
You have but the alternative of being slaves
OF submission to despotic usurpation, Or OF
independence, which a vigorous, united, and
persistent effort will secure.
All which fires a manly breast, moves pa
iriut, or exalts a hero, is present to stimulat,
and sustain you. Nobly have you redeemed
iLc memory Of your ancestors, and the rights
uf your posterity.
That you may complete the mission to which
you have devoted yoursclve-, will require OF
you such exertiUns In the future ~ you have
made in the past, aud continuous self.denial
which rejects every consideration at variance
with the public service, as unworthy Of III. hul,
cause III which you are engaged.
nited as we are in a common l,-liuy t,l,..
dience and cordial cooperation arc essential.
There Is no higher duty than that which H..
lulres one to exert and render TO all what /,
due to their station. He who ,ows the sod uf
discomfort and distrust preIaree for u harvest
Of slaughter and defeat.
To your gallantry, energy, and tortitudc YOU
crown this harmony with duo subordinst alton
aud cheerful support of lawful authorty.(t
When the war shall y, ended, the hi-lIr,I
need of praise will be due, and probably h,
given, to him who has claimed the least iu
himself In proportion 10 the service he ha,
lcndered. And the bitterest self-reproach " hicl
maN hc'oaitcf hduut 'ho hcHofy VI hny on
uill be Ia him who has allowed selfish aspira
tions 10 prevail over his desire for tho public
good.
iervcotly HOPE that this ferOciuu, war. .,
unluetly "aged against our country, may sUOi
snd,snd that with the blessing of peace, you ma,
be restored 10 your homes and useful pursuits
and pray our Heavenly Father may cover you
with the shield Of His protection In your bat
ues, and endow you with the virtues which viii
close YOUR trials in victory complete.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.