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 Headquarters, D 
 Conf Pam 12mo #896 
 
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HEAD QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT No. 2. 
 
 Tupelo. Miss., June 27th, 1862. 
 
 I 'i RSUANl 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, lighting 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, 1 enter hopefully on 
 my duties. 
 
 l>ut, 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, ami obedience to the orders of your officers 
 on all points, as a sacred duty, an act of patriotism, i^ of absoluti 
 necessity. Without this spirit, the bravest army, must sink soon 
 intoan 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 
 K Ik horn, — hope to see them ;i> soldiery, and obedient to neeessar. 
 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 seal 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. 
 1 doubt not victory will be with them. Others of your country. 
 . under the lead of Jackson and Ewell, in the valley of "Vir» 
 ginia, have recently shed imperishable renown on our arms, and 
 n what a small, obedient, diciplined Volunteer Army can do. 
 
 A few more days of needful preparation and organization, and .1 
 shall give your banners to the breeze— shall lead you to emulate the 
 soldiers of the Confederacy in the East, and with the confident 
 that you will gain additional honor- to those you have already 
 won on other fields: but be prepared to undergo privation and labor 
 with cheerfulness and alacrity. 
 
 (Signed., PRAXTOX BRAGG, 
 
 Gen'l Commanding. 
 -OFFICIAL- 
 
 (Sigued,) THOMAS JORDAN, 
 
 Chief of Stall. 
 — OFFICIAL' — 
 
CmU 
 
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