, 1864-10-05
FROM CAIRO AND BELOW.
Admiral Pofkefs8 Farewell Order TO
his Fleet.
General Order. 4


The Government has thought proper 10 assign
me to another command.
In taking leave OF The officers an 1 men who have
etrv.d with nc In scenes Of tr1al and peril, ce-
desire to express the regret teel at breaking up
the most pleasant 8ss0uAuons Of my life, and also
to azure them that hare atwaye felt the most
been supported throughout this extensive COM
msnd msJ be attached to other squadrona. but
l tcel that Shall never agsin derive such entire
win the one am about torelinqpish.
No common events have occurred here to make
me teel rs now do for the associations are Of no
interest in all those who arc connected With the
~ben sitser Or men who lave served ss aaas1
may be called 10 serve our country.
When nrst Assumed chnrge OF this aQu1dron.
tte h!.tns1ppi wss @ II possssslon 81 the rebel.
hundred mltee, and over one Thousand miles OF
tributaries were closed agai1st na, embracing
tesrssczy larger than some Of the Hngdoma Of Eu-
oar commerce il now socos.fuliY, If not quiet
u, transported on the broad Missisasppt from one
Wiih regard to il tributaries. >~s' os :" N'''1
There results OWING to the indonaitable spirit
eslnced by 1he officers and men of the Mississippi
Although the aid that his been gfyento the army
By this aqnadron, in capturing stronRhoids, aud
It's cooperation With 1he land forces generally, has
e. 6ssn si1ated and
can with PRIDE point to many fortified place.
which would now b in the ntnds Of the rebels
bqt or she e1e9ns of the nsTy tn thse Tatsss
time to keep up thst discipline aud vigilance
which have made the Mississippi Squadron edicl.
Gent, nd thss when neS conpsndst take ny
tb11 large organization
1t has beer ny aim and desire 10 brin, the discI-
PINE here to the hlsnest state o. perfection. and
TONED to Naval discipline, all will, shink, admit
that have endeaycEad to be jas:.
i ! have caused those to be pan'shed who have
not done their duty, or who have been false to
tbelr trnst, havc eonRht every occasion to pro-
mote ibose who have distinguished Themselves in
eDy wsy, and the doer to promotion hss been open
eelE and dessIFe advancement. The records OF tue
Fleet, viii show whe1e men who were petty OIL
GERS or eeamen two yea1a aGo arc now ttentc1-
anti, position which vas sixteen years IN reach
ing after first entered the navy.
r. Again let me imp1esa upon yun tha lmpe:saucc
0: Vigilance and di'cip'Ins. The susuy np s-5ee
seen aehtlng 60 pers1=tently, Is now in his last
DING afoLy. AZ 1e months more Or less Will
cloee this rebellion: Do not, by any want Of vlgt-
lance on yout psrt, give the rebels chanee tor a
single tucceRe oses yon. Remember all the geaeral
orders have issued with regard to the proper
he m,shaps which have occurred to want Of atten.
tion to orders on the part Of those In command,
ssI snd thogeh am h4ppy 70 say that instances OF
this k1na ate feN, ! canno: put regret that they
and those corcerned.
There cannot, however, be any war without cap
tutee, and while regret the brave fellows who
have been killed or thrown int3 the ha1ds OF tue
enemy, by inatteL ton to orders, console myself
thst In almost all cases the flag was properly dc.
fcnded AID the ye.se)s seldom surrendered.
Go where may shA}l always ansertain lively
recollection OF ncenes On the Mtss1s.ippi md Its
tr1butaries scenes tha will hereafter be chroaeled
BY his -riane as they deserve to be- ard those Who
have figured in them, for performed pro ntneut &C.
tfnne will crrtaInl7 be remembered hT pratafrl
country. when che Is retcued rom tue hands Of tae
Wretehed rebel traitors who deslre her overthrow.
bid 5ou all farewell, hoping that we may meet
on other Cefds.
Ere We die, our country will have debt to pay
to those foreign Datio1s who have d1Ted to hamper
ue while struggling in the mtghuest contest the
world ever saW-may We then all meet ag31n.5
DAVID D. PORTER.
Rear Admiral, Coud'g Mis-. Squadron: :
N B.-To be read to the officers and crew upon
the quarterback OF every vessel In The Mississippi
SnuAnrar1 ---- - =