The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-20

Iupl1IEscE AT THE TAKDY WAR MOVEMENTS
OF THE GoyEnNMENT Whatever justice there
may have been in the complaints against the
tsrdinees of the federal govern ent in arriving
ct the decision TO act vigorously against the
reyoluiionisis Of the South, the administration
ard General Scott are certainly no. open to
attack for want OF energy from the time that
MIR. Lincoln made up his mind to put down the
rebellion by force of arms. Ever since the ball
was put in motion it has rolled UPWARDS with
as much speed as was compatible with safety
Yet complaints of delay are heard on every
side from those who are unacquaintcd with
military matters. OF all disasters in human
affairs precipitation in war leads TO the most
fatal. In nothipg else is the old maxim,
"tasten slowly" 60 verified. Slow and sure
is Tie motto Of General Scott, who knows that
tie race is not always to the swift nor the
battle to the strong.
1T is one thing to rsie n new army; it is
another to arm, equip and discipline it TO fight;
aud after that ia done, it is yet another
thDg-and the most difficult of all
to move it to action with all that IL
Leeds. The brief time it has taken to raise
On army is Truly wonderful. Only
month has elapsed since the proclamation of
the President was published. and now splen-
did army appears in response to his call, as #
brought into existence By the magic of Pros
psro's wand But "a yet II is only foe mate
rally; ii is physically and morally of the
right stuff 10 win victories but i. is not yet suf-
6c;ently skilled in fight As yet he armies on
both sides are little better than armed mobs
The progress Of the Union army is indeed a.
tcIishipg for the time; but what could be ex-
yected In q month? In the war with Mexico
General Scott was asssllsd by the nc wspapers
for similar delay. 1t then required six months
for preparation Of the troops. But the result
justified General SCOTS course as it will
now. II then required six months to fl the
troops TO fight; but now people seem to
think they ought to be sent az sheep
TO the slaughter, without any preparation
at all. In the Crimesn war all know what
delay and laundering occurred on the part of
the English government. In the last war be-
even with highly disciplined troops, to reach
the point of pitched battle. Few men are
formed with that mighty genius fG war with
which the first Napoleon was gifted BY the
certainty of bis calculations, the rapidty of
his combinations, bis mastery Of minute de-
tails, (a quality which belonged in an emf
nent degree to Washipgton) his admirable
officers ana his well trained troops, he de-
scended like thundctbolt upon tae foe The
highest art Of great general is the choice Of
the decisive point on which to move his troops
in greater force than the enemy--a result OF
eLilrul strategic combination; the next most
important art is the accurate calculation of the
movements which are TO accomplish that result.
In addition to this he must have officers who
have the skill to carry out his designs. lie
must cause to be prepared beforehand all the
materials necessary for putting the army in
motion and sustaining it. lie must dictate all
the orders, instructions aud routes for assem-
bling it and putting it Afterwards in action.
He must obtain reliable Information OF the
movements Of The enemy. He must concert
the marches Of the different columns TO The end
that they may be made with order aud har-
mony, and numerous other things must be
donc before be can hazard a battle. Above all,
there is enc hing he must not attempt, aod hat
is with raw troops to dislcege numerous enc
my from strong posts. Ordinary troops with
little training can fight welt "a good de'easiye
poai,iops But 10 assume the Offensive even
sparst sucb ,roors require toae'h'ps more
ia, a T. ged va!,r. Va ort II - y
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