The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-05-10

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duces this want Ut confidence.
"Tis harder far TO please than give offence;
The least misconduct damns the brightest sense" !"
YOUNG.
Nothing, perhaps, in practical life causes un-
popularity more readily than constant efforts
20 innovate, attended by the most constant
failures. Under the process Of experiment.
ing, men soon grow impatient, and when
they are forced 10 listen to, or to carry into
practice what beforehand they have decided
to he impractible, they are apt to yield them
selves up to murmurs and chickering's. They
stop not short sometimes of the stoutest i'm
precautions against the author of their annoy
ance.
Col. Dickinson experienced, in certain
degree, the state of feeling we have Just de-
scribed. Having lost the confidence of the
Regiment Gr capabllty in practical matters,
the men grew restiye under his Instructions,
and in their crossed temper, often impeach-
ed the motives by which he was actualed.
With readiness TO accord to hun talent OF
no ordinary character. they were disposed
to deny him sound judgement and adiscrIm-
mating sense Of fproprety. They sometimes
even admired his propositions for improve
ment, while they resolutely determined in
their minds to shew them no favor in their
execution. But while often condemnIng,
they found much in Co.. D. to inspire es-
TEEN and admiration. His bold and COM
manding person, his lofty courage, his chIv-
aric sentiments of honor, and his ardent love
of his native State, could not fail to call forth
IN every generous bosom, feelings of respect
and admiration. This accounts npart for
the anomaly of character his casepresents.
While the Regiment was proud to claim
him as fellow soldier, and admired his chiv-
airy. they almost hated to be exercised un-
der his command.
Of Col. Dis military talent, and othis high
personal courage, no two OPINIONS, we think,
can be fairly entertained. He was, indeed,
peculiarly fitted by nature for military life.
He possessed all the elements calculated to
give success in his career of honor. Bold,
and courageous, and fond of glory, to pur-
sue the paths of distinction was his constan'
delight. And there was no field in which
he more delighted 10 crafty these propen-
sites Of his nature, than in the military
Here was the element in which he loved to
breathe and move. It filed the void in his
mind. which the pursuits of civil life left un-
gra,i6cd' 1t called into play all the active
powers of his nature. 1t opened prospect
TO his bold fancy and towering ambition. II
gave opportunity to CRAFTY his love to
direct and to command. 1t offered, in a
a word, full scope TO his strong social pro-
pensensities, and called into exercise his bold
and active courage. Nor did he fail to ex.
ert hmsefto become eminent i'll tho field
Of glory thus opened to him. To effect this
he wrought assiduously and laborlously,
though with rest css activity. He was too
searching to remain superficial, yet too eager
to becumc profound. His labors were the
workings of an active, stirring mind, that
strove and tugge for superiority in all IT'S
undertakings He applied himself with all
the energies Of his ambitious nature to the
requirement of The means that might lead
him to success. But he looked no farther
than the practical end. He studied no, SO
much from love Of the subject on which
his mind was employed, or to gain COM
plete mastery over it, as to supply himself
with resources to forward him in his career
of glory. lie applied himself with diligence
to the study Of the military art and science,
because his ambition led him to believe it
would greatly increase his chances of dis
linclon. With very considerable aptitude.
his progress in these was strikIney rapid.
Though hindcred by sickness and wounds
ior.severaI mouths, on his recovery lie re.
turned with avidlty to his pursuits, and out
stripped all around him in the road of ad-
vanccmcnt. If he was supposed to succeed
less than many in the practical exercises OF
the tactics, 1t was because these could not
be learned from books, and he had not en-
joyed a previous training in the subordinate
stations Of military life. 1t must he adj
miltcd however, in the exercises that prop
ery fell within his province, viz: in the Bat
lalipn Evolutions and EvolutIons OF the Line
he made great proficiency. Unpractlsed
in these before entering the campaign, he
soon gained knowled &C Of them sufficient
to give him rank among the best tacliclans.
Nor did he ccninc himself within the limits
Of elementary tactics, or tactics of lnstruc-
ton. lie applied himself likewise, to the
tactics of battles. He studied works on the
art and science of war. He consulted the
history Of eminent commanders, and anal w.
ed the military operations Of various noted
campaigns. These studies opened to his
view the magnitude of the profession Of arms
and mhamed his bosom with an increased
love OF its pursuit. AS The charming pros
pect revealed by these studies broke in upon
his mental vision, his fancy became ravished
with delight. Hope, proud hope enkind!ed
in his bosom. His minds eye was dazzled
by the brilliant glory ofa hannibal, Cn-