Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-08-30
Correspondence.
Our Washington correspondence
WASHINGTON. August Goth, lSGl.

Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. August Goth, lS6l.
Already mutny has broken out in the Fed
cral army. Accident gave victory to the
rebels at Ball Run, but chance had nothing
to do with this rebellion of the camp. True
before the battle, great freedom was allowed
to the common soldiers as well as the officers,
whcrca, now IL rigid discipline confines both
parties to the camp. The routine of camp
life is certainly dull, and the constant re.
straint tedious and rksomc to men aecustom
cd to the ordinary social life in this country
The men 5 clothing. tao, has become rather
the worse for wear. The contractors and
commissaries, no doubt. have cheated them,
regiment by regiment, Tor ,ilainy stalks in.
to the camp in scarch of plundcr just IS il
does everywhere in the world. But thcs, are
temporary abuses, soon rtmcded, in part or
vholc They did not cause the mutiny. 1t
owes its origin 10 the political system by
which uihccrs are made and elected. (Ihe
word political beng usrd III It's evil not in
party deeisnation) \ thousand mon.or-
ganize and become i regiment they imme-
diatsly enter upon thc performance Of duties
of which they are profoundly ignorant, and
choose their officers not because Of their mil
it.lry merit, but on account Of some person
al favor or individual merit. The officers
equally ignorant with the rank aud file Of
the simplest duties of the soldier, become at
once the commanders and instructors OF the
regiment, aud they never can become good
commanders without first being good in
structors. Detective knowledge, much less
ignorance never inspires respect of those who
are to be taught. The able civilian, now
made Colonel, soon finds his equals in intel
liseuce ia the ranks, p rhaps his supcriors IN
social position. llo hcsitAtcs, delays and
finally loses the power Of enforcing obedience.
An army Is like a machine, the indIv dual
member, Of which part with all their ident-
ty. Its value depends upon the power of
combination and the precision of movement.
A master hand directs. \ good General is
simply a good soldier. lie exacts what he
aocords to his superior, obedience simple and
pure, without delay. without argument, but
PromItiy and heartily.
Now. an officer in command governs, for
the most part, by arbitrary decree. HIS will
is law, has word the signal Of its execution,
and it'is no matter of surprise that men who
have by their voluntary act chosen their otf-
GERS, stop to reflect when power 10 which
( they are wholly strangers is exercised, to crit
sieixe asd At its value is not felt, to condemn
l&s stice is not seen.
10y to be wondered at that an officer,
M .ny,k ilcction 10 any other cause than
W sssH trit, looks upon the camp As a
krs,N y, simply, ON the way to poiti
tVkVony 10 the future He rapidly learns
lvNA Aase with tie strict letter Of his
eNRfNcommon soldier quickly under
Ess - flnd is thus taught to play his
egop1kf time comes for organized op-
v. Ia 1 is mutiny. While the sun
Cd ass W. sickness, disease, battle, de
ia 7sJw 4 7awn,-whic War SCENES 4
~ r. 1tiicr's life tour Of o1ser-
AGeps ital' az y. nea, w,ll.
mtu bibeA nd everything. \ bitter
fiAes. 'R.ssa plcsome. Mutinous spirits
Sid 80 go tedienee, or removed where
: ytTt. snot be imitated,-t IN
gseS.gsss s.5s q smisseJ, rigorous discipline
stscniorced 5rganizstion thorough and complete
- perfected. The mutiny At one time threat
n sened to be serious, but was suddenly laelied
~ in the following manner Gen. Mcclellan
sent 4 larss force Of infantry, together with
a squadron Of cavalry and battery Of Light
artillery to the re.olted camp. The mutin
GERS were surrounded, when this order was
read
ne ORDER READ To THE sEvENTr-NiNTH
1.-The General commanding has heard with
the deepest pain of the acts of lnsub1rdina-
tion on the part OF the 10Th Regiment &
Without attempting to enter into dis
o ~ .. the causes, it is sufficient to say that
Se'.ai-are frivolous aud groundless
ct tht.t these acts have thrown disgrace ipoh
minsysiment and the service. and taxing
81 ~ nj this time they give rise to the strong
ecu-S 7iclons of the most aoect eowardlse'
- -sment has forced upon the Command
,.ei.sral an issue which he is prepared to
4cet.
The men are ordered to lay down their
arms and return to duty. All those refusing
10 do so will be fired upon immediately,
If they comply with the order the rinsleaa'
ers only will be punished.
The colors of the regiment are taken from
them. and will be returned only when their
conduct in camp shall have proven that they
understand the first duty of soldier-obe-
dience and when. on the field Of battle, they
shall have proved their bravery The names e
of the leaders of this revolt will be sent 70
the Governor OF New York, to be placed IN
the archives of the State. court martial
will he held forthwith
There was instant obedience.
It,was auelled in a similar manner in the
I'd MafSN-the regiment that distinguishes
itself 30 L n 4 oterhn the battle of Sunday
WAyeteei, HAxCoek.