THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

As we have before stated, we were garrisoning the city of Nashville when we received the Emancipation Proclamation, and during the one hundred days that ensued between its publication and enforcement, there was considerable stir in army circles as to the propriety and legality of such a measure. In our own regiment the officers held a meeting for the purpose, as it were, of ratifying the Proclamation, at which the following resolutions, by Colonel Langley, were spread before the meeting for its approval and adoption:

Resolved, That we are as ready and willing to aid the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, in carrying out his proclamation to emancipate the slaves in certain territory therein mentioned, as a necessary war measure, as we are to aid in the execution of any order from the War Department.

Resolved, That he who fails to see written in unmistakable characters, the doom of slavery as a consequence of the war, must be totally blind to the great panorama of events which daily pass before him, and he who would avoid confusion and anarchy, must also see the necessity of organizing and disciplining slaves, made free by military authority; and further, if organized and disciplined, the great error we commit as a nation, by not employing such persons, so made free, to the most advantageous purposes in crushing out the present rebellion, even if it be to arm and fight them against the rebellious hosts that oppose us.

But these resolutions seemed too radical, and many opposed them strongly. However before three months rolled around, the very men who were the bitterest and loudest in their denunciation of them, at the time, were seeking for commissions in colored regiments. The resolutions pointed out, with true prophetic utterance, the course which the government pursued in regard to the slaves, but at the time they looked to some as being altogether wrong. Tempora et mores mutantur.

RESOLUTION PASSED BY SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE
OF LOUISIANA.

Headquarters Military Division of the Miss.

Goldsboro, N. C., April 7, 1865.

Special Field Order.}
No. 49.} EXTRACT.

The general in chief announces for the information of this army the following resolutions received:

Whereas, The official announcement of the fall of Charleston, the "cradle of secession," has been received, therefore, be it

Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the state of Louisiana in general assembly convened, that we tender our most hearty thanks to the gallant officers and men of the army of the illustrious Sherman, who under God have been the instruments of the accomplishment of so glorious an achievement. Be it further

Resolved, That in the late glorious victory of Gen. Sherman, we recognize the hand of God, as directing the affairs of our country, and as an evidence of the speedy return of peace.

[SIGNED.] SIMON BELDON,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

[SIGNED.] J. MADISON WELLS,

Lt. Gov. and Prest. of the Senate.

Approved March 3rd, 1865.

By order of Major General W. T. Sherman.

[SIGNED.] L. M. DAYTON, A. A. G.

ORDER RETURNING THE THANKS OF THE PRESIDENT
TO GEN. SHERMAN AND THE ARMY.

Headquarters 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland,

Near Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 6th, 1864.

Orders.—The general commanding directs that the following order be published to all the troops composing the army of the Cumberland.

Headquarters Military Division of the Miss.

In the field near Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 6th, 1864.

Special Field Order.}
No. 66.}

I. The general in chief communicates with a feeling of just pride and satisfaction the following orders of the president of the United States, and telegram of Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant, on the hearing of the capture of Atlanta.

1st.Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C., Sept. 3rd, 1864.

The national thanks are rendered by the president to Major General W. T. Sherman and the gallant officers and soldiers of his command before Atlanta, for the distinguished ability, courage and perseverance displayed in the campaign in Georgia, which, under the divine favor, has resulted in the capture of the city of Atlanta. The marches, battles, sieges and other military operations that have signalized the campaign must render it famous in the annals of war, and have entitled those who have participated therein to the applause and thanks of the nation.

[SIGNED.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

President U. S.

2nd.Executive Mansion, Washington City, Sept. 3rd, 1864.

Ordered: First. That on Monday the 5th day of September, commencing at the hour of twelve o'clock m., there shall be given a salute of one hundred (100) guns at the arsenals and navy yards at Washington, and on Tuesday the 6th day of September, the day after the receipt of this order at each arsenal and navy yard in the United States for the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile, and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. The secretary of war and secretary of navy will issue the necessary orders in their respective departments for the execution of this order.

Second. That on Wednesday, the seventh day of September, commencing at the hour of twelve o'clock m., there shall be a final salute of one hundred (100) guns at the arsenal at Washington and at New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Newport, Ky.; St. Louis, New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, Hilton Head and Newbern, or on the day after the receipt of this order, for the brilliant achievements of the army under command of Major General Sherman in the state of Georgia and the capture of Atlanta. The Secretary of war will issue directions for the execution of this order.

[SIGNED.] ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

President U. S.

3rd.City Point, Va., Sept. 4th, 9 p. m., 1864.

Major General Sherman: I have just received your dispatch announcing the capture of Atlanta. In honor of your great victory I have ordered a salute to be fired with shotted guns from every battery bearing upon the enemy. The salute will be fired within an hour amid great rejoicing.

[SIGNED.] U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant General.

II. All the corps, regiments and batteries composing this army may, without further orders, inscribe "Atlanta" on their colors.

By order of Major General W. T. Sherman.

[SIGNED.] L. M. DAYTON,

Aid-de-camp.