GENERAL ORDERS No. 53.
HEADQUARTERS VALLEY
DISTRICT,
May 26, 1862.
Within four weeks this army has made long and rapid marches,
fought six combats and two battles, signally defeating the enemy in each one,
captured several stand of colors and pieces of artillery, with numerous
prisoners and vast medical, ordnance, and army stores, and finally driven the
boastful host which was ravaging our beautiful country into utter rout. The
general commanding would warmly express to the officers and men under his
command his joy in their achievements and his thanks for their brilliant gallantry
in action, and their patient obedience under the hardships of forced marches,
often more painful to the brave soldier than the dangers of battle. The
explanation of the severe exertions to which the commanding general called the
army, which were endured by them with such cheerful confidence in him, is now
given in the victory of yesterday. He receives this proof of their confidence
in the past with pride and gratitude, and asks only a similar confidence in the
future. But his chief duty today and that of the army is to recognize devoutly
the hand of a protecting Providence in the brilliant successes of the last
three days, which have given us the results of a great victory without great
losses, and to make the oblation of our thanks to God for His mercies to us and
our country in heartfelt acts of religious worship. For this purpose the troops
will remain in camp to-day, suspending as [far as] practicable all military
exercises, and the chaplains of regiments will hold divine service in their
several charges at 4 p.m. today.
By order of Major-General Jackson:
R. L. DABNEY,
Assistant
Adjutant-General.
SOURCES: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of
General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 263-4; The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
51, Part 2 (Serial No. 108), p. 563-4
No comments:
Post a Comment