bordinates.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 28, 1863.

By direction of the President of the United States I hereby
assume command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in
obeying this order --an order totally unexpected and
unsolicited--I have no promises or pledges to make. The
country looks to this army to relieve it from the
devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever
fatigues and sacrifices we may be called to undergo, let us
have in view constantly the magnitude of the interests
involved, and let each man determine to do his duty, leaving
to an all-controlling Providence the decision of the
contest. It is with just diffidence that I relieved, in the
command of this army, an eminent and accomplished soldier,
whose name must ever appear conspicuous in the history of
its achievements; but I rely upon the hearty support of my
companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the
duties of the important trust which has been confided to me.

GEORGE G. MEADE,
_Major-General Commanding_.

This change of commanders was followed by others in various branches of
the service, not excepting the Cavalry Corps. Our force has been
increased by General Julius Stahel's division, which has been employed
for some time in the vicinity of Fairfax Court House, and along the line
of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. In the reorganization, the corps,
which continues under the efficient command of General Pleasonton, is
arranged into three divisions, the First, Second, and Third, commanded
respectively by Generals Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick. A more effective
cavalry force was never organized on this continent, and probably on no
other.

The Harris Light is assigned to General Gregg's division, which
separates us, for the first time, from our former beloved commander. But
we are not among those who desire to shirk responsibility for any such
cause as this. After the division had been reorganized and reviewed, in
the afternoon we took up our line of march to New Market. Some rain
fell towards night, which laid the dust and allayed the heat. Men and
horses are living well upon the rich products of the country. Upon such
supplies we rely mainly, though our trains are not wholly destitute.

We are received with more or less enthusiasm and demonstrations of
patriotism in nearly all the to