The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-11

helping ones friends? But is it not direct in
fringement of the ffty-ninth clause of the arti-
cles of war?
ENLIsrMENrs.-Recruiting seems to be resum-
ing something of the activity that it exhibited at
the beginning Of the war. This is owing to the
increased confidence that is felt in the organiza-
ton of our army under the young and able
generals who have been placed at the head Of
the different military departments. Our soldiers
are now better fed and are in all other respects
as well provided for as any troops in the world
Owing to the recent arrangements made by the
Secretary of War, they will for the future re-
ceve their pay with unfailing regularity, and
can, by the allotment system, where they prefer
it, have it paid over to their families with the
same punctuality There is no mechanic who
can be said to be in the enjoyment of as much
comfort as much leisure, or as much pocket
money as the United States soldier. That the
life is healthy one we had abundant evidence
in the condition of the three months men when
they returned from Virginia. Those enlisted
here, and who had been engaged in mechanical
occupations, went away haggard and sickly
looking from the effects of insufficient food and
close confinement. They returned robust,
hearty, and ready to encounter the hardest
work. showing that, Notwithstanding the COM
plants made of the commissariat and some of
which were at that time undoubtedly true, the
soldiers life was infinitely more conducive to
their bodily vigor than their former pursuits.
On the whole there is no better employer than
Uncle Sam. He is neither bad pay nor a hard
taskmaster, like Uncle Sambo, who gives those
who serve under him more kicks than cents.
WILL THEY FIGHT OR FALL BACK This is the
question suggested by the delay of the rebels in
the matter of the conquest and occupation of
Washington. From Alexandria to Harpers
Ferry, along line of over sixty miles, they
have been throwing out their feelers for weak
place at which to cross the Potomac, but it does
not appear that they have found one. We sus
pect that their opportunity has gone by--that
they are beginning to realize the fact and that
they are hssitating between the desperate ex-
pedient of storming our delences and the de-
moralizing alternative Of falling back into the
interior of Virginia II they hesitate a few days
longer, we shall next hear that they are moving
"onward to Richmond" If we may believe
1.-THE of what we hear of the suferings of the
rebel soldiers from the want of proper food and
clothing, and from the rayages Of the smallpox,
measles fevers and other diseases, we may feel
assured that Beauregard is meditating more
upon the necessary preparations for retrOgrade
movement than upon the division of the spoils
of Washington. At all events, he must soon
make up his mind to attack our lines or to repel
an attack, for, from all appearances, Mcclellan
is prepared for fight, and thoroughly under
stands his game.
THE SHARPsK0OTERs FOR Our ARMY.-Two
more companies of Colonel Berdan's sharp
| shooters leave to-day for Washington. The
idea thrown out by this gentleman has been
seized upon In all parts Of the country by crack
shots, and instead of one regiment, two are now
being organized, and the companies, as they are
filed up and tested sent forward to the nation
al capital. The test is string of ten shots of
fifty inches, at a target two hundred yards dis
tant--that is, the whole ten shots must not
foot up greater distance from the bulls eye
|
shooter must not hit the target further from the
| central point than five inches on an average
each shot at distance of two hundred yards.
This is very severe test, and is sufficiently ac-
curate for all practical purposes. But the COM
panies generally excel this shooting. The Mi
chigan company (1Ol men) made target of
twenty-seven inches, which is an average of
about two and three-fourths inches each shot
from the bulls eye. Two regiments of such
sharpshooters must prove most deadly in their
firing upon the foe, particularly in the havoc
they will make among the officers and horses.
REVIVAL OF BUslNEss.--All the indications
around us denote renewal of public conf
dence and commercial activity. That unfaing
index of returning prosperity the advertising
business of the newspapers, daily exhibits in
creasing evidences of it.; strangers are begin
ming to flock into the city, and the hotels,
if not full, are becoming so; our merchants
wear more cheerful and hopeful faces, and
money is as plenty and as easy as ever,
as we weeks ago foretold would be the
case. The loan which is so rapidly being
taken up is as rapidly being spent by our SOL
diers and sailors as well as by those engaged
in the industries that have been created or ex-
banded by the war. These have given employ
ment to vast numbers of operatives, whose
wants have in turn given employment to others;
so that in reality the condition Of the working
classes, so far from being impaired, is much
improved All this shows the facility with
which Americans adapt themselves to new
order of things. If, three months ago, any one
had predicted that commercial confidence would
be thus early revived to this extent, he would
have been laughed at as fool. Under such
cheering circumstances, it is not looking for
ward too sanguinely to anticipate lively fall
and stiff spring business.
--
REINToRCEMENrs FOR GENERAL WoOI--The
government ought to send Immediately large
reinforcements to General Wool, placing at his
disposal an army of $4,000 men, with which, on
board the feet, he could operate against any