The Secretary of War announces to the Army that upon the death of James A. Garfield, President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, Vice-President, on the 20th day of September, 1881, at his residence in the city of New York, took the oath of office as President of the United States, to which office he succeeded by virtue of the Constitution.  President Arthur has entered upon the discharge of his official duties.

ROBT.  T. LINCOLN,
Secretary of War.
By command of General Sherman: 
R.C.  DRUM, Adjutant-General.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE NAVY.

[From official records, Navy Department.]

General Order.

Navy Department,
Washington, September 20, 1881.

The officers and men of the Navy and of the Marine Corps of the United States are hereby notified that President Garfield died at Long Branch on the 19th instant at 10 o’clock and 40 minutes p.m.  Under the Constitution and laws of the Government Chester A. Arthur, then Vice-President, duly took the oath as President of the United States, and has entered upon the duties of that office.  As President and Commander in Chief of the Navy of the United States he will be obeyed and respected by all persons connected with this Department.  It is becoming that at a time when the heart of the nation is heavy with grief a proper expression should be given to the respect and affection so sincerely and universally entertained for the memory of the wise, patriotic, and noble Chief Magistrate who has departed this life under circumstances so distressing.  To this end the officers of the Navy will see to it that all honors and ceremonies befitting the occasion are observed by their respective commands in accordance with the regulations of the service.

The offices of the Department will remain closed for all business during the time the remains of the President shall lie in state at the Capitol.

WILLIAM H. HUNT,
Secretary of the Navy.

[From official records, Navy Department.]

Special Order.

Navy Department,
Washington, September 23, 1881.

Struck down by the hand of a cowardly assassin, in the day of his vigor and usefulness, on the eve of departure from the capital in search of much-needed rest from the toils and cares of office, our Chief Magistrate, President, and Commander in Chief, James A. Garfield, after bearing with heroic fortitude untold suffering, succumbed to the dread summons and yielded up his life at Elberon, N.J., on the evening of the 19th instant.  The nation mourns its loss.  The funeral services will take place at Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday, the 26th instant.  It is eminently fit and proper that special honors should be paid to the memory of the late President on that day, and the Department therefore directs that at all naval stations and on board all vessels in commission the