The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-20 00:00:00

seen service, there was a demand which at first
could only be met by civilians •, and that iu the
I hurry of preparation, red also by the action of po-
litical influence, captains and colonels should be
commissioned who were wholly incompetent, is no
wonder. In this respect the South at the onset
will have the advantage of the North. As for the
last fifteen years the head of the War Depart-
ment has been a Southern man, and as the limited
industry of this section has not called into service
the talents and energies of the educated class, a
large proportion of these have entered the military
service. In tiwesof peace even those officiate at the
North who have held high rank, have left the army
to engage in active business. Thus General Fre-
mont gave his energies to his extensive mines in
California ; General M'Clellan resigned his com-
mission to take charge of a great railroad corpora-
tion ; and General Rosiencrantz, who has distin-
guished himself in Western Virginia, paged from
a professorship at West Point, and gave an oil
manufactory at Cincinnati tbe benefit of his valua-
ble services. In this way a large number of officers
at the North are lured into civil life, and the active
service fella into the hands of the Southern gentle-
men. When the secession movement began these
officers from the South resigned, while in almost
every case the private soldiers remained loyal to tbe
Union. Hence there arose at once a great de-
mand for officers. Most of the graduates at
West Point, as well as those who were
in the Mexican war, have entered the
service, but these do not supply the demand.
Several foreigners who have had experience in
Europe have also received commissions, but even
with these there still remained many vacancies
which civilians eager and desirous wished to fill.
As in the organisation of the regiments in the States
before they are mastered into the United States
service the appointments are in the hands of the
1 civil officers, political considerations have much in-
'fluence. In consequence of this state of affairs a
military board 'ma been established, and the regi-
mental officers now in service will be examined, and
those who are incompetent will be deprived of their
commissions. The government will avail itself of
all the skill and experience it can command, and
many European officers have already been accepted,
and assigned places for active duty. Thus vigorous
efforts are making for the better organisation and
discipline of the Federal army.
In the meantime affairs seem to be coming to a
head in Missouri. Secession troops reported at
15,000 have landed from Tennessee at New Madrid,
a town on the Mississippi, in the south east corner
of this State. The condition of affairs is so pecu-
liar in Missouri as to demand the interest and
attention of every European who would have a
comprehensive idea of the different features of the
secession movement. At the time the cotton States
separated from the Union Governor Jackson and •
majority of the legislature who had been elected
on the old party issues were very desirous of so
complicating matters in Missouri as to draw her
into the secession movement. Not daring, as
Virginia and Tennessee, to vote their State out of the
Union, and then leave the ratification of their acts
to the people, they passed a bill requiring the
election of delegates to a convention who should
consider this whole subject. This body, fresh from
the people, were opposed to the State seceding.
In the meantime the legislature passed an oppres-
sive and unconstitutional law and a military bill.
An army was to be raised, and used really to
coerce the State into secession. At least such was,
the opinion of the Unionists. A series of events
mentioned in a previous letter led to the displacing
of Governor Jackson. The convention • short
time since re-assembled, and declared the offices of I
governor, lieutenant-governor, and treasurer va-
cant, as they had left the State, and failed to per-
form their duties, and proceeded to elect others to
fill their places. At the same time they declared
the legislature to be void. The officers chosen are
firm and unconditional Union men. The ground on
which this action of the convention was taken was
the necessity of the case. The new governor has
taken the oath, and he will be sustained
by the Union men, and the authority of the United
States. General Pillow, with the force of 15,000,
has entered the State from Tennessee, and issued a
proclamation in which he declares his intention of
reinstating Governor Jackson and the old order of
things. General Fremont has charge of the Federal
forces, and is aided by several divisions of troops
in different sections of the State. These divisions
are officered by able and experienced soldiers.
Thus far the most brilliant and skilful military
movements of the war have been made in Missouri.
The attack and retreat of Colonel Sigel was •
masterly show of rapid and successful manoeuvring
and brave defence. With a very much smaller
force he managed by an adroit feigned movement
to deceive his enemy, place them in an exposed posi-
tion, and then, by a sudden change in his own force,
swept them by his artillery. So General Lyon,
when he moved towards Jefferson City, did not
march up to thejenemy's battery, but landing
five miles below, took it in the rear, and
by • feigned retreat drew his foe into an open field,
where he turned and opened upon him with artil-
lery and musketry, until there was a complete
rout. The subsequent march of General Lyon to
the relief of Colonel Sigel was • prodigy of labour
and endurance. These facts, in connexion with the
vigour of General Pope's course in the north part
of this State, and the well known energy and force
of character which distinguish General Fremont,
are assurances that the Federal cause in Missouri
is in the hands of efficient and able officers, some
of whom will during the war gain high military
distinction. Soon there will be severe fighting
here, and the fields of this young and growing State
will be drenched in blood. Let ue only trust that
this will prove its baptism into liberty.
In Kentucky to-day there is an election of a
portion of the State Senate, House of Representa-
tives, and treasurer, which attracts more than
usual interest, because the result will be an indica-
tion of public sentiment, and also because the mem-
bers elected will control the legislature. The posi-
tion of this State is very peculiar. It remains in
the Union, but claims to be neutral. It has not an '
emancipation party with organization and strength
as the one in Missouri, but the love of the Union as
a sentiment is stronger than in any other border
slave State. The memory of her eminent states-
man, Henry Clay, whose name is wrought into the
history of the national struggles for nearly half a
century, is widely cherished. According to the Louis-
ville Journal, the large slaveholders are among the
foremost friends of the Union. Prudential and eco-
nomic considerations also have force in this State.
Kentucky has an extensive trade with the
North, and from her geographical position
exposes • long line of territory to the Free States.
I Several long railroads running through the entire
north-west are so situated that large bodiesof troops
could easily be .concentrated on any given point of
her northern frontier. These considerations have
a powerful influence, notwithstanding her slave-
holding sympathies with the South. Many of her
leading men have fought gallantly against the de-
Isigns of the Secemionists, among whom the Hon.
Joseph Holt is foremost. His name will be impe-
rishably connected with his times, not only as an
honest and faithful official, but also as a firm and
patriotic statesman. Mr. Holt was Postmaster-
General in Mr. Buchanan's administration, and in
his private character is far superior to the rdinary
politician. When South Carolina took the initiative
step, he at once set his face against the whole move-
meat, and by his rigid firmness gave what little
energy remained to imbecile and corrupt Cabinet,
and after Mr. Floyd left the Treasury department
be stepped in to rescue the government from de-
struction. When he retired to his State, he carried
with him the esteem and gratitude of the entire
liaNbourtul. labours.
SnHiicssiwtohrthen
have
has
estirreas been
anurnceast:einneg
strengthened
nenhedis
many a salient son of Kentucky, and the triumph
of the Union ticket which is anticipated in the
election of to-day, if realised, will be owing not a
little to the efforts of this upright and patriotic
statesman.

M. Eugene Ponjade has been just appointed
Consul-General of nano, at Florence. Y. Ponied° has
been for many years in the annular or diplomatic semis%
his last appointment being that of Consul-General and
diplomatic spat at Bucharest.