The General Commanding has again the proud pleasure of congratulating the officers and men of this division upon their splendid behavior. During the campaign of the last three weeks they have endured privations and fatigue that soldiers are seldom called upon to experience.
Leaving their comfortable quarters at Lenoir's at a moment's notice and seeking the enemy in his own camp; the return to Lenoir's, and checking him at that place; the rapid march to Campbell's Station, at which place they repulsed with heavy loss a superior force; the wearying night march, after a hard day's march and fight, to this place, where, hemmed in for nearly three weeks by a large army full of determination to drive us from East Tennessee or capture us,—they have borne the brunt of nearly all the fighting, and endured days and nights of labor and watching, on a scanty allowance of provisions, without complaint.
The conduct of those who were fortunate enough to be of the small number that repulsed the determined assault on Fort Sanders, on the 29th, ult. cannot be too highly praised. They drove back two brigades of the enemy with terrible slaughter, captured three stands of colors, and maintained the high reputation of their division. Fortunate is the country that can produce such soldiers, and proud of his position is the general commanding them.
Our work is not yet done. We will be called on to fight more battles and probably to endure more hardships. Let us go forward with strong hearts and willing hands, and we cannot fail.
By command of Brigadier-General Ferrero,
GEO. A. HICKS, Captain and A.A.G.
Head-quarters Army of the Ohio,
Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 6, 1863.
General Field Orders No. 36.
The Army of the Ohio will commemorate the series of victories, all culminating in the redemption of a loyal district, by inscribing on their colors and guidons the comprehensive words, expressive of the grand result,
"EAST TENNESSEE."
By command of Major-General Burnside,
LEWIS RICHMOND, A.A.G.