The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-26 00:00:00

continent—that have suffered as much by the war
as New York and New England have prospered, are
one vast and seething "hot-bed of discontent and
disaffection, and of all but avowed sympathy with
the South, it is in the highest degree criminal and
dangerous. If the object were to strike terror, the
object has failed. Not terror, but disgust and in-
dignation have been excited ; and unless care be
taken there will be deeds done in the West that will
mark a new stage in the revolutionary history of
the Republic.
The discontent of the army with the conduct of
the war finds a certain intelligible mode of expres •
sion in the absolute refusal of so many regiments
whose terms have expired to renew their service,
even in this, the day of the greatest danger of the
Government. It has remained for Colonel Haw-
kins, of the New York Zouaves, to put this discon-
tent into language that all the world can under-
stand. General Dix has, by direction of the Secre-
tary of War, requested this regiment to re-enlist,
with a promise of bounty money if it would do so.
The Colonel, by whose personal exertions it was
raised amid the excitement consequent upon the
attack on Fort Sumter two years ago, respectfully
but peremptorily declined on behalf of himself and
his men. In an exceedingly well written letter,
which is published in the Democratic journals, but
which the Republican and Ministerial journals re-
fuse to place on record, Col. Hawkins narrates with
spirit as well as modesty the achievements and suf-
ferings of his 'gallant band, who did not wait for
the bribe as bounty money to offer their lives to the
Government, but " when the first gun was fired at
Sumter, rushed to arms with the eagerness and en•
thusiasm of youth. We asked," he says, " for no
bounty. No hope of reward was held out to us. We
felt that our country was in danger, and needed:our
support. We loved it then, and we love it now, but
we feel that others who have kept in the back-
ground should step to the front and supply our
places. As a regiment we feel we have performed
all our country has any right to expect or demand.
Our contract has been fulfilled to the letter. From
the first moment of our taking the field we have
been in the face of the enemy, never having been
in a fort, garrison, or camp of instruction, where
we could have the opportunity of drilling. Our
home has been in the field, where all the exposure
and hardships incident to a soldier's life have been
endured without a murmur. No matter how hard
or difficult the service we have been called upon to
perform, it has always been done cheerfully and
with alacrity. The post of honour is not new to us.
We have had it before, and paid for it dearly, with
the lives of many of the noblest youth our nation
possessed. Many scores of our friends and compa-
nions have fallen around us; and to what purpose ?
Is the war any nearer its end now than it was two
years ago ? Individual bravery and courage has
gone all for naught. The imbecility of many high
commanding officers in the field has cast a damning
blight and disgrace over the graves of our brave
countrymen. Taking into consideration the fact
that ample time has elapsed to have supplied our
place, we do not think it is incumbent upon us to
remain longer than the 3d of May, the day on
which our term expires. I, therefore, on behalf of
the regiment, call for transportation to be fur-
nished to us at that time. If, on account of this
refusal to comply with your request, we go home in
disgrace, and meet thorns where we had expected to
find flowers, we must.bear up under it with the same
courage which has characterised all our actions
since we became defenders of our country's honour."
That such a man should be justified in speaking
in such a manner to the Government, betrays a
state of feeling in the army which may tend to ex-
plain the uniform unsuccess of the Federals in the
field. They are brave, but they lack confidence in
the political adventurers who are placed in com-
mand over them. This regiment, immediately
before its term expired, farmed part of the division
of Gen. Corcoran, who slew its lieutenant-colonel
for demanding the countersign. How was it pos-
sible for such men to fight under such a general ?
Col. Hawkins is a soldier who served with distinc-
tion in the Mexican war, and knows the duty both
of the soldier and the officer. It was not likely
that he could continue to follow where a Corcoran
was to lead, or suffer himself and his little band to
be transferred to the protecting care and calm judg-
ment of a Hooker.