Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-06-30

its; chief, officers; End, That those Of the
Regiment who arcein a subordinate condi-'
ton. have been shamcfully neglected, and
Sd, That The public funds Appropriated for
their benefit, have been grossly abused. -
To the lst charge, plead Guilty..
and have but word TO Say in justiicationi
of.my own course. As far as my tesimo-
ny goes, concede 10 Tho two gentlemen
you allow to possess the high ranks Of Nos.
l and 2 in military consequence, The true
position you have granted Them; and do
declare to you, that so far from being dis
satisfied with The grade you havo been
pleased TO assign me, No. 3, esteem it
not only beyond what had a right to cx-'
pect, but a standard greatly above the one
/ should have fixed for myself Ii un-
dcrstand the qualifications of n military
commander, they are, sound and discrlm-.
mating judgment, to know exactly when
TO fight and when TO decline fight; high
courage and indomitable enorgy to execute
the purposes of the mind, impenetrable
GOODNESS, a clear eye, and prompt decision.
in tho hour of baltic; and withal. kind
and generous nature, which inspires all
around him with confidence and zeal, Gu
kindles their sympalhies, aud administers
10 their wants. In these high attributes Of
the commander, assure you, that in my
humble opinlou, lhero are more than two
men in South Carolina who are vastly
my superiors. Not 10 mention others,
Gen. Huser and Gen. McDufic have en-
iucnt claims on the public, both for their
military talents, and their military expe-
rience. Ofthe younger men Of the State,
there arc many who have more zeal, more
energy, and moro capacity than | have,
and whose services might have been bro't
into requisition to much more advantage
than my own. But,o sum up all in single
expression, plead "Guilty"ro this charge,
and for my apology for accepting the COM
mand of tho Volunteers of my State, refer
you 10 the volunteers themselves, whose
generous confidence conferred upon me
without any solicitations on my part, has
laid me under a debt Of gratitude which,
the short term Of my life will not permit.
mo to repay. When the war shall be end
ed, and the few OF US left, shall return to
our families and friends, il is bu! fair, that
my comrades in arms. the real parties TO
The contract, be allowed to render the YER
dict for or against me. For the present,
at least, The dignity Of the position | hap
pen to occupy, aud the honor Of the resi-
ment should spare my case the intermed.:.
ding of ilnperlinent volunteer jurors, who
sci themselves in judgment, not to sub
serve the ends oftjuslice, but TO crafty a
malignant, disposition for the foolish yani-.
iy Of being heard and talked of t'y the idle
readers. of few silly newspapers. y
To the 2nd charge, plead Mot Gull,
ty," and offer in my defence the testimony
Of company officers. which has already
been sent home for publication. II is true,
that there has bee1 much sickness, much
suffering, and many deaths amongst US. ]
believe il is generally conceded, lhatrthere
is more mortality in an army, 10 time of
war, than in any other body of men: of the
same size. Aud besides, it is well known
that we entered upon the present cam:
paigr in The beginning ofa most Indictment
spell ofweather at home. whichslasted 1n-9
ill we, had: :entirely left the 6olders of the
United States. We were then transported
to country where every. element seemsto
war wilhour health and happiness. Tho
seasons are strange 10 US, The water is un-
wholesome, the fruit is .unwholesome, and
to complete the catalogue of ourinconye-
nienccs, we are forced 10 make long march
cs under ihe rays Of vertical sun. All.
this though. / am old enough 10 take as q
matter OF course; and the gallant spirits
that accompany me, knew that they were
moi coming TO gildcd tournament, to tilt
with pointess lanccrs, and to win golden
opinions withou. incurrins any ofthe risks
by which glory and fame are usually ac-
quired. They came like true soldiers 10
suffer every deprivation without murmur,
10 struggle, and il necessary, to die in de-
tending the honor Of our Gag and the repu-
talon OF our State.
But to clear myself entirely from all ap
pearancc OF guilt under this charge, permit
me TO remark, that in the army, there are
at least five departments, as distinct from,
aud as independent Of, each othe: as cir
cumslances will admit of. There is lst
the Armed service, aud tho service Of duty
for those in health, and with arms in their
hands; 2nd, the Pay department; Sd, the
Commissary's department for receiving
and issuing provisions; 4th, The Quarter
masters department for the lrausporta-
ton Of baggage, ammunition, and stores
Of every description and 5IIl The Medical
department. which has exclusive control
of the hospital, tho sick and the wounded.
To each oflhcso departments respectively,
except the Isl, there is q chief head appoint
cd by the President of the Uuited States.
Over each Of The three department last
named, The Colonel Of regiment has
specified and only specified control and
therefore it is utterly impossible for him to
be answcrablc for all the wants Of his men.
1t is his duty TO require that raIions be
provided and issued TO his regiment; that
it also be furnished with wagons aud hor-
scs for transportation; and that It's sick bo
supplied with such medicines aud medical
aid as the army can afford and the nature
of the service allow. In these respects, l
hove heard no complaint of this regiment,