Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-01-14
LT.-GEN. POLK'S ORDER ON ASSUMING CON.
MAND IN MISSI SSIPPI.
HEAD QUARTERs. MERlDIAN, Mss,

AkAD QUAkfAAs, AkklDlAh, MISS
Dec %, 1868
The distinguished General who has been in charge of
the Department of the Southwest having been relieved,
the undersigned by order Of His Excelency the Presi.
dent assumes command.
While it is Of regret that We to lose the
services of so experienced an officer, whose high militia
~ Qualities have so long given feeling Of security TO
tie Department and commanded the conf 4encS OF the
troops yet these services to be transferred to
more important field we shall all without doubt submit
to the sacrifice with cheerful acqu esssnce.
Ia takiog charge of the Department the Lieutenant
General commanding not insensbe 70 the importance
Of the duties devolSed upon hin, the difficulties by
which be ia surrounded
The extent Of the territory embraced in the command
its geographical position its ports its river coast
lis resources IN men and material still untouched aud
nya 4be constitute il field OF the highest importance
to the ConledeFaoy Ia its military aspect.
It's difficulties and emb1rrassments, whatever they
NAV be- OF inherent nor insurmountable. Charge
able mainly to the orunesof war; they are to be re-
garded as trials Of fidelity TO the have
p0used and tests of the sincerity and depth and
stness OF devotion 70 lis final triumph. Reverses
A. well as Gu cessSs afe tie allOtmens OF war Let us
hope that the future may DO generous than the
mast And when We consider the high sodierly quail
ties Of the NY belonging to tbs command, ana Call
10 mind the lofty traits OF character which have
distinguished the population comprised within its mi 2,
We cannot but ee that the time has come when for
there is to be more favOrabg turn CT the wheel ofor-
tune We may, nevertheless, remember that il was q
maxim among the religion Of the bestien that the 20
helped those who helped themseves-a maxim which
the teachings of purer and truer faith have served to
confirm and establish.
Our cause Is not less the Of truth of honor and
Of God now than it the first day took up arms
against the barbarou5 horde of fanatics and of Puritan
Ald German in6des who have for three years sought
TO despo OF political rights, rob of prop
IT, destroy social H. and Overtu and crush
atas. The bae of these men hiss not been aeated by
the plundsT and desolAton and bOodshed upon which
has fed bu, the rather been deepened and intensified
From them shOul1 they succeed, to expect moth
ing but universal con6scaon Of property, sbjsct
social degradation or death.
The Lieut.. Central commanding therefore confidently
trusts that under sense of such hopeless future the
inspiration Of our just cause and the encouragement
and example of our noble women, who every where re-
gard our invaders with oathng and adherence all pas!
grievances among ourselves, real or supposed, may be
forgotten and while the gallant men who compose
ANN the field will resolve afresh 10 their
OF uhdyng resistance TO our enemy, those who have
not yet tskeR up arms, will come forward, promptly 10
swell the ranks Of our bashons and share with their
country men TIE duly aud the honor of breaking the
power OF the oppression. The vigorous employment of
oar own resources with unity harmony, and an un-'
ar ching determination to be free, cannot under God,
but crown our Efforts with triumphant success.
L. Polk
Lieutenant General Commanding,