Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-29

NtNtfAl VI VuI colempOIhlteS, om lDA won
We feel horne out TO nominate especially the
Times and Commercial have manifested a
propensity TO make small potato capital out
of the complaints Of soldiers at Camp Deuni-
TOD, in resi- eot 20 fare aud accommodations.
That they thereby manage to create a de-
mend for their Issues at the Camp, Is prob
sble; but that the publication Of anonymous
letters, or letters without responsible James
attached, is likely to remedy any ofthe evils
complained of-even II the complaints arc
truly msde-is, at least doubtful. There is
scarcely any thing in the world less reliable
in general than this style Of correspondence;
and, consequently, nothing less likely to DO
good than its publication.
The Government has contracted for the
supply Of all the articles deemed, according
to the army regulations, desirable for soldiers
in camp-in respect 70 hind, quantity and
quality. If the Government rules do not
give variety enough to the soldiers diet, that
is one matter, and the complaint is against
the Government.
We are told BY persons Of experience, that
in respect to quantity the Government makes
ample provision-that very few soldiers can
consume all that, under a strict observance
of the rule, they will receive; and h respect
TO quality, our Government never contracts
for inferior articles. The contractor is bound
by the nature of his contract, to furnish
enough, and of good quality, and if he does
rot do SO there is q remedy always at hand.
The Government provides and pays in
spectors; and if the troops are cheated it is
the fault of the inspector-the CommissarY
Contractors will, as a general rule, furnish
the lowest grade Particles that they can get
accepted and consequently, it is the duty
of the Commissary TO see that there is a rigid
examination Of whatever they send to the
camp. If the Commissqry is ignorant or
indolent, or in partnership with the con
tractor, the soldiers will be liable to be
cheated but in such cases, it is useless to
lavish abuse upon the contractor. There is
another party more to blame than he; be-
cause, in permitting the soldiers to be starved
or poisoned, he violates an important official
obligation.
The Captains of companies are the official
guardians of the soldiers under their COM
mand and it is their duty to see personally
that the rules in respect to food are strictly
complied with. They can not have effective
men without good food; and the Captain
who permits a SINCE offense in this respect tc
~go-unnoticed does not perform the most i'm.
portaDt of the duties which his Office casts
upon him. That the men are fed badly is 9
standing condemnation of the officer. He il
worse than an enemy; more dangerous Il
the troops under his command. He is tai
only party to whom the soldier can appeal
1t is in his power, by personal inspection, Il
know whether the complaints of the mel
ave well. founded, and he has access, by es
, tablished modes of communication, with tn,
highest authorities.
Now that the camp is organized, the con
tracts made, and the official inspectorship es
tablished, there WILDE no cause of complain
if the officers do their duty. There are, W
are told, some companies and regiments q
Camp Dennison from which no complaint
ever come. The reason for this is that the
are well. ofieered-that Lieutenants an
Captains and Majors and Colonies make
their business to zee that their men are sur
piled with food and necessaries in quantit
and quality, according to the regulation
We will bet against the conduct of any off
Ger upon the battle-feld who neglects h
men in camp.
The experience of the soldiers during IL
few weeks they have been eucamped hi
} enabled them to form opinions as to ii
quality of their officers; and the musterir
for three years service now going on, wi
, enable them TO reorganize and get rid
those who have been more DESTROYS to tai
the honors than to take care of the me
The change will be G salutary one, and it
I to be hoped that the expurgation Of Il
drones will be rigid and unrelenting.
D