Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-07-15
Gen. Dick TayIor's address.
HEADQUARTERS DrsT. WEST J
LOUISIANA, in the Field,
May "a, 1864.
GENIAL ORpERs.
GsNsKAL ORDERs,

No.
Soldiers Of the Armg Of IFess Louisiana /:
On the 18th 0! March the enemy. with
an army of thirty thousand men, accon1pa
MED by feet Of iron clads. mounting one
hundred and fifty guns, moved forward for
the conquest Of Texas and Louisiana -
After seventy days continued fighting. you
stand baud Of eongaeriDg heroes, on the
banks Of the Mississippi. Fifty pieces OF
cannon, seven thousand stand If snail arms
three gunboats and transports captured o.
destroyed, sixty stands Of coiors, over ten
thousand Of the enemy killed wounded or
captured. these are the trophies which adorn
your victorious banners. Along three hum
bred miles ofriver you have fought his fleet,
and over two hundred miles of road YOU
have driven his army. You have matched
your bare breast against his iron clads and
proved victorious il the contest. You
have driven his routed celums beyond the
Mississippi, although led by rsinforcements
Of fresh troops, while many Of your eallsn.
comrades were withdrawn to other fela.
The boasted feet which late sailed triumph
ant over our warters, has fed in dismay,
after destroying guns and stripping on ar
NOR in it's eargerness to escape you. Like
recreant knights the iron clads have fed
the field, leaving the shield and sword be-
hind.
The devotion and constancy you have
displayed in this pursuit have never been
surpassed in the annals Of war, and you
have removed from the Confederate soldier
the reproach that he could win battles, but
could not improves victories.
Along hundred miles of his path the
flying foe, with more than savage barbarity,
burned every house and village within bis
reach. You extinguished the burning
ruins in his past blood. and were nerved
aflesh to vengeance by the cries of women
and children, left without shelter or food.
Long will the aesursed race remember
that greatriver Of Texas and Louisiana
The characteristic hue Of his .yrbid waters
has darker tinge; from the liberal admix-
ture Of Yankee blood.
The cruel alligator and rayenous gar
fish wax fat on rich food, and our native
yulture holds high regelry O. er many fes-
tering corpse.
If the stern valor Of our we'll trained in
fantry was illustrated on the bloody fields
of.Maasfeld and pleseant Hill, this long
pursuit had covered the cavalry Of this ar
my with undying renown.
Like generous hounds with the game il
full view, you have known neither hunger
nor fatigue, and the hoarse common and the
ringing rife have replaced in this stern
chase the sonoroIs horn and the joyous
halloo. Whether charging on foot, should
err to shoulder with cur noble infantry, or
hurting your squadrons on the masses Of
the foe, or hanging on his flying columns
With more than the tenaeity ofthe Cossack,
you have been admirable in ALL Conquer
your own vices and you can conquer the
world.
Our artillery has been the admiration Of
the army. Boldly advancing, without oov-
er. against the heavy metal Of the hostile
feet. unlimbering often without support
within range Of musketry or remaining last
en- the field to pour grape and canister into
advancing columns. our batteries have been
distinguished 10 exact proportion as oppor-
sunity was afforded.
Soldiers these are great and noble deeds,
and they will live in chronicle and in song
as long as the Southern race exists to hon
or the earth. much remains yet to do
The fairest city Of the South languishes in
the invaders gras Her exiled sons
mourn her fate in every land. The cheeks
Of her fair daughters yet mantle with the
blush raised by the brutal tyrants insult
not Confederate soldier returns to his col
ors from this sad Venice ct the South, bui
rccounts with throbbing heart aud fearful
eyes, how amidst danger and insult, these
noble omen-angels upon earth CLEARED
his confinement and relieved bis wants -
10 view the approving smiles of these fair
danes, will be soldiers proudest boast,
the brightest leaf in his chaplets Of lau'ols
Soldiers this army marches toward New
Orleans, and though it do not reach the
goal, the hearts of her patriot women shall
bound high with joy, responsive to the ech
oss OF your guns.
r.. TAYLOR,
Major General.
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