GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 71. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, March 24, 1863. 
With profound regret the General-in-Chiet announces the decease 
of Major General E. Y. Sumner, U. S. Army, at Syracuse, N. Y., on 
the 21st instant. 
General Sumner entered the Army in March, 1819, and it was his 
fortune to be connected with all the stirring military events which 
occurred throughout the long period of his service. His indomitable 
energy, and high-toned military spirit, impelled him always to seek 
assignment to duty in the field. He was twice brevetted for gallant 
and meritorious conduct in the Mexican battles. Subsequently, he 
commanded the Department of New Mexico, and directed important 
campaigns against the restless tribes within its limits At the com- 
mencement of the Rebellion, being then a Colonel of Cavalry, he was 
appointed Brigadier General in the Army, and was then ordered to 
command on the Pacific coast. His last urgent entreaty, before de- 
parting to that distant station, was that he might be promptly recalled 
to take part in any conflicts which might occur with the rebels in the 
neighborhood of the Capital. His ardent patriotism and martial fire 
would not permit him to rest until he was recalled, and assigned to a 
high command in the Army of the Potomac. The name of Sumner 
is identified with nearly every fierce struggle in which that Army has 
been engaged, and every page of its history will perpetuate the fame 
of this noble soldier. His gallantry rvas acknowledged first by the 
commission of Major General of Volunteers, and then by the brevet of 
Major General on his army commission. 
Having been relieved from duty with the Army of the Potomac, at 
his own request, after the battle of Fredericksburg, he was assigned 
to command the Department of the Missouri. While on the way to 
St. Louis, to enter upon this important command, he, who had escaped 
the dangers of so many battles, fell suddenly a victim to disease. 
The regrets of the whole Army go with him. He will be lamented 
and remembered, not for his soldierly traits alone, but for his generous 
and courteous bearing, the offspring of a true and noble nature. As appropriate .military honors to the memory of the deceased 
General, the several posts within the Department of the Missouri will 
fire thirteen minute guns, commencing at 12 o’clock m., and display 
the National flag at half staff, from the same hour until sunset, the 
day next after the receipt of this order. 
By command of Major General Halleck : 
L. THOMAS, 
Adjutant General. 
Official : 
Assistant Adjutant General.