The National tribune., 1889-05-30
sHERMAN's FAREWELL.
Gen. W. t. sherman's Last Order to His Army.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THEl
MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD,
Washington, d. c.. May 80. 1861
Special Field Orders, No. rs.
The General Commanding announces to the
Armies of Tennessee and Georgia that the time has
come for us to part. Our work is done, and armed
enemies no longer defy US. Some of you will be
retained in service until further ORDERS and now
that we are about to separate to mingle with the
civil world, it becomes pleasing duty to recall to
mind the situation of national affairs, when but
little more than year ago were gathered about
the twining cliffs of Lookout Mountain, and all the
future was wrapped in doubt
Three armies had come together from distant
fields with separate histories, yet bound by one
common cause.-The union of our country and the
perpetuation of the Government of inheritance.
There is no need to recall to your memories Tunnel
Hill, with its rocky face mountain and Buzzard's
Roost Gap, with the ugly forts of Dalton behind.
we were IN earnest and paused not for danger and
difficulty, but dashed through Snake Creek Gap
and fell on Resaca.
Then on to the Etowah TO Dallas Kenesaw and
the heats of Summer found US on the banks of tie
Chattahooche, far from home and dependent q
single road for supplies. Again we were not TO be
held back by any obstacle, and crossed over and
fought four heavy battles for the possession of the
citadel of Atlanta. That the crisis of our his
terry. A doubt still clouded our future, but we
solved the problem and destroyed Atlanta, struck
boldly across the State of Georgia. secured all the
main arteries of life to our enemy. and Christmas
found us at Savannah.
Waiting there only long enough to I'LL our wagons
we again began our march, which, for peril, labor,
and results, will compare with any ever made by
D.,
the swamps of the Combahee and Edisto, the high
hills and rocks of the Santee, the fiat quagmires
of the Pedee and Cape Fear Rivers were all passed
in Midwinter, with its food and rains, in the face
of an accommodating enemy, and after the battles of
Averysboro and Bentonville, we once more came
out OF the wilderness to meet our friends at Colds
boro'.
Even then we paused only long enough to get new
clothing, to reload our wagons, and again pushed
on to Raleigh and beyond, until we met our enemy
suing for peace instead of war, and offering to
submit to the injured laws of his and our country.
As long as that enemy was defiant, neither mount
aims, nor rivers nor 5wamps, nor hunger, nor cold
has checked us; but when he who had fought US
hard and persistenty offered submission, your
General thought il wrong to pursue him further,
and negotiations followed, which resulted, as you
all know in his surrender.
How far the operations of the army have con-
tributed to the overthrow of the Confederaey and
the peace which now dawns upon us must be
judged by others, not by US. But that you have
done all that men could do has been admitted by
those in authority, and we have right to join in
the universal joy that fills our land because the
war is over and our Government stands indicated
before the world by the joint action of the voun-
teer armies of the United States To such as re-
main in the military service, your General need
only remind you that success In the past was due
to hard work and discipline, and that the same
work and discipline are equally important In the
future.
TO such as go home, he will only say that our
favored country is so grand, so extensive, so di-
versifed in climate, soil and productions that
every man can surely find home and occupation
suited to his tastes, and none should yield TO the
natural Impotence to result from past life
of excitement and adventure. You will be invited
to seek adventures abroad, but do not yield to
the temptation for 1t will lead only to death and
disappointments.
Your General now bids you all farewell with the
full belief that as in war you have been good
soldiers so III peace you will make good citizens
and if, unfortunately, should arise in our
country, "Sherman's Army" will be the first to
buckle on the old armor and come forth to defend
and maintain the Government of our inheritance
and choice.
BY order of Malice w. T. SHERMAN.
[Signed] l.. NJ. DAYTON, Assistant Adit-General.