Address of Gen. Lee.
--Meade has recrossed the Rappahannock; but as everything writer by Gen. Lee is of interest to his countrymen, we give his address this army when a battle with Meade was expected:Headq'rs army Northern Virginia,
November 25th, 1863.
General Orders, No. 102.
The enemy is again advancing upon our capital and the country once more looks to this army to its protection.
Under he blessings of God your valor has repelled every previous attempt, and invoking the continuance of His favor, we cheerfully commit to Him the issue of the coming conflict.
A cruel enemy seeks to reduce our fathers and our mothers, our wives and our children, to abject slavery; to ship them of their property and drive them from their homes.
Upon you these helpless ones rely to avert these terrible calamities, and secure to them the blessing of liberty and safety.
Your past history gives them the assurance that their trust will not be in vain.
Let every man remember that all he holds dear depends upon the faithful discharge of his duty, and resolve to fight and, if need be, to die, in defence of a cause so sacred and worthy the name won by this army on so many bloody fields. R. E. Lee, General.
