HEAD QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT No, 2,
Tupelo, Miss., June 27th, 18C2.
Pursuant to the orders of the President, I assume the perma¬
nent command of the Forces in this Department. The weighty
duties, the grave responsibilities of "the place, the momentous issues
impending, and my high sense of the eminent capacities of the
distinguisned leader and soldier, whom I have succeeded, make
me accept the position with unfeigned reluctance.
Relying however on the justice of the cause of an invaded,
people, in the zeal and skill of subordinate officers of all ranks,
and confidently depending on the unswerving bravery, devotion and.
individual intelligence, of a soldiery, fighting on their own soil, at
the very doors of their own homes, in defence of all worth living
for, or that has ever inspired men to heroism, I enter hopefully on
my duties.
But, Soldiers, to secure the legitimate results of all your heavy
sacrifices, which have brought this army together, to infuse that,
unity and cohesion, essential for a resolute resistance to the wicked
invasion of our country, and to give to serried ranks force, impetus
and direction, for driving the invader beyond our borders, be assured,
discipline at all times, and obedience to the orders of your officers
on all points, as a sacred duty, an act of patriotism, is of absolute
necessity. Without this spirit, the bravest army, must sink soon
into an armed rabble, as impotent for defence as of offence. I shall
proudly hope to see this spirit in the brave men of Shiloh and of
Elkhorn,— hope to sec them as soldiery, and obedient to necessary
authority, as becomes brave men, called to arms to battle for the
right to live in independence.
Soldiers, great events are impending; an insolent but wary foe,
has invested the seat of your Government. Your brethren of the
Armies of the Potomac and of' the Peninsula, stand steadfastly to
their posts, to meet the desperate conflict, which must soon come.
I doubt not victory will be with them. Others of your country¬
men, under the lead of Jackson and Ewell, in the valley of Air-
gima, have recently shed imperishable renown on our arms, and
shown what a small, obedient, diciplined "S olunteer Army can do.
A few more days of needful preparation and organization, and I
shall give your banners to the breeze—shall lead you to emulate the
soldiers of the Confederacy in the East, and with the confident
trust that you will gain additional honors to those you have already
won on other fields: but be prepared to undergo privation and labor
with cheerfulness and alacrity.
(Signed, , BRAXTON BRAGG,
(len'l Commanding.
—OFFICIAL—
(Siuued,) THOMAS JORDAN,
Chief of St a ft".
—OFFICIAL—