Head Quarters

Camp Marietta July 19. 63

 

General Order N^o 5.

                                   

Citizen Soldiers.

                               For the first time the war has reached our homes. Our easy almost indolent security invited its approach.

 

The ennemy has surprised us in the midst of the busiest season. He found us unorganized and unprepared and has thus been able to range through a vast region with apparent impunity. Expecting to find us absorbed in our usual pursuits, he hoped his presence would fan the spark of dissatisfaction into the flame of rebellion. But the result of his invasion is as gratifying to the patriot as it is crushing to the foe. More than four times the force expected here has already reported at this camp and the number is hourly increasing. The Government is reassured by your prompt action. You have shown, that the spirit of the minute men of the revolution still animates their sons. You have shown, that our free institutions are strong in the hearts of the people. The Government thanks you. Ohio is proud of you. Once more you have proven, that her citizens intelligently appreciating the blessings of free government are ready, in its defence to submit to any privations & brave all dangers. Your / noble and thorough promptness honors her. Ohio thanks you.

 

The Colonel commanding and officers appointed over you add their thanks for your orderly behaviour, prompt obedience & patient forbearance under the most trying circumstances. You have not alone been ordered from the ease and abundance of home, to endure the ordinary privations of camp, but you have left perishing crops harvests and interests that are suffering from your absence, to be vexed by unusual although unavoidable delays. Without supplies, in many cases even without company organizations worse than all, without arms and therefore without a prospect of serving the country as efficiently as you hoped, you have still cheerfully submitted to its most onerous burdens and have by thus doing, rendered most important service to the country.

 

Fully appreciating your disappointment at not being permitted to bear arms the Colonel commanding hesitated about requesting an order to dismiss you while the foe was so near us. But it is impossible to make so many men comfortable here. Arms cannot be procured, without them you can be of no service in the field; The foe is approaching, your unarmed condition may invite an attack. Your interests are suffering. You are therefore ordered back to your homes.

Your Captains will furnish certified / bills of your names which will be filed and preserved for future action. Captains will furnish transportation and subsistence for their men.

 

The Commandants of the several county Brigades will furnish the Captains with necessary vouchers.

 

The Commandants of the Brigades will receive & receipt for the camp equipage now in the hands of the Captains. They will then turn it over to the Quarter Master & receive his receipt for the same                                                      

 

William R Putnam

Col commanding

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