The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-19
GEN. WALKERS FIRST ORDERS


vine Walker has received copies of
the official orders, issued by Adjutant
General and Chief of Staff William E.
Mickle, making announcement of
the death of the late commander in
chief, George w. Gordon, Of the
United Confederate Veterans. Of the
succession Of Gen. Walker as COM
manding officer and of the appoint
ment Of Major Gen. Robert White, of
the West Virginia division, as the
commanding officer of department of
Northern Virginia, made vacant by
the promotion of Gen. Walker.
AS the text of the order states,
Gen. Walker will command the old
soldiers as lieutenant general it be-
ing reserved for the next annual con-
vention of the organization to formal
ly elect him as the commander in
chief
The order read as follows:
Headquarters United Confederate
Veterans. New Orleans, La, Aug.
ust 8, 1911.
General Orders No. /:
1. With a heart full of sorrow,
the lieutenant general commanding
announces the death of the beloved
commander in chief Of our associa-
tion, Geo. w. Gordon. After a ling
ering illness extending over a year,
during which he fought for his life
with that resolution which was ever
characteristic of him in war and
peace. his spirit passed gently away
at o'clock today.
AT the breaking out of the war he
entered the services as drillmaster Of
the Eleventh Tennessee infantry, and
by close attention to the requirements
Of the service, he rose in rank till
made brigadier general In 1864. He
was with his command in every en-
gagement except at Bentonville, N.
c., at which time he was u prisoner
of war.
He was always leader in whatever
he was engaged in. whether as law
yer, railway commissioners, commits
sioner in the Interior Department of
the United States. superintendent Of
public schools, or member of Con-
gress; and to all he undertook, he
gave the best services Of his untir-
ing energy and commanding abil-
tiles.
He was deeply interested in the
work Of the U. G. ", and took a
prominent part from it's very founda-
ton. He was devoted to the men,
ories of the sixties, and delighted in
aiding the fortunes of those who were
soldiers in the Confederate armies.
or related to them. He was In every
way n remarkable man. and the
cause will long miss his valuable
guidance.
2. AS the next senior officer to the
late Gen. George W. Gordon. and in
compliance with It's bylaws. 1 here
by assume command of the United
Confederate Veterans. l call loving
ly upon all Of my comrades to aid
me. so that all working harmonious
ly together can carry to even greater
glory our grand Federation, and more
fully perpetuate its most precious op.
jects and memories.
3. The staff Of the late command
in chief il hereby continued as the
STAFF Of the lieutenant general COM
manding. and will be obeyed and re-
spected accordingly.
G. IRVINE WALKER,
Lieutenant General Commanding
Oficial; VIM. e. MICKLE.
AdJujtant General and Chief of Staff
Headquarters United Confederate
Veterans, New Orleans, La. Aug
ust .. 1911.
General Orders No. q
l. Major Gen. Robt. White, COM
manding the West Virginia division
OF the United Confederate Veterans is
hereby directed to assume command
of the Army Of Northern Virginia de-
partment. as provided i'm Section :
Article III, of the bylaws Of the L..
Z. V. organization. He will be obev
ed and respected accordingly.
z. Major Gen. White will instruct
the ranking brigadier general in his
vision To assume command Of the di-
vision.
BY command Of
{. IRVINE WALKER.
Lieutenant General Commanding
WM. T.. MICKLE,