Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-25
gbe Obio 6tatesman,
7 z 3 II o.
officers North and south--Ars the Unio
Forces Efficiently Commanded

This question Is carefully discussed by the
Philadelphia North American, and we quote the
writer g conclusions: -s al.
"Over against Jefferson Davis, who was train
ed at the Military Academy, and who, after ser.
vice In the army and In the Mexican war, was
elevated to place 10 the Cabinet as Secretary
of War, it were sin to place our glorious old
hero, General Scott, who suffered from the
blackguardism Of the CT deoant Secretary. Gen
Scott is his superior everything; great strat.
egist, while Davis is preteDder; patriot
while Davis Ia an ambitious aud selfish intriguer
Davis has indeed an iron will, but il Is oftener a
will to do evil than benefcent one. General
Scott is magnanimous patriot, who gives biz
own unrivaled military talents and experience
to the country without hope of gain.
But leaving the commander cut Of the ques-
ton, we are confronted with such names as
Lee, Beaureguard, Joseph Johnston, May, Mag.
fuder, Emory and others. How are we to re-
place such men, who are now tower OF strength
to the enemy2 Let US analyze these names, OF
rather their signifcates, little. General Lee,
the present commander of the Virginia troops,
is scientific engineer and personally brave
soldier; but he has been more overrated per.
haps than any man in service. His personal
presep ce is handsome and commanding, but the
Apollo.like form does not contain the intellect
of Jupiter. As captain of engineers he did
well, but he disappointed the expectations OF
the army when appointed lieutenant. colonel
of cavalry and sent TO the frontier. He lacks
energy for rapid combinations, and is not a
highly competent general. Respectable but
not brilliant is the verdict. General Beaure.
gard, formerly, like Lee, an engineer officer, 10
by far their best man. He Is cool, valiant, pre-
Iaatn Inafn aln. n
in purpose, and withal modest. Colonel Mag.
ruder, the life of a social party, when glasses
sparkle on the board'--not more than competent
to command battery, a Snowman, as vain Of
peacook-is no loss to the sefvice. The army
and his company will not grleve for him. He
will magnify his Office in words, as he has done
often before. General Joseph Johnston, twice
wounded during the war with Mexico, ia q fne
officer, and o loss to be regretted. lie vas
Captain Of Typographical Engineers, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel of the Voltigueurs, and more 70.
Gently Quartermaster General In our army. NJ
man stood higher than he. Colonel May, who
received praises for his charge at Resaca, which
were not his due, is pretty good cavalry colo
mel, and nothing whatever more. His notoriety
is his only claim TO mention. Major Emory Il
good officer, and his friends are puzzling theil
brains to hnd OUT why he resigned. Rumol
says he wants TO return, but the door is shut
Now, look on the other side. For among all
who remain unmentioned there is no great claim
to remarkable talent, although doubtless many
of the subordinates have energy and education
For Davis we have Scott--God grant him many
days! For Lee and Beauregard we have Gene
raj Mansfield, q distinguished engineer. now In
spector.G General, whose commsnd at Washing
ton has been consummate; Delafeld, long
Superintendent of the Military Academy; G. F
Smith, the very prince Of light infantry COM
manders; franklin and Meigs, recently promot
ed, both men Of great talent, thus far kept dow
by the law Of seniority; their names are nov
sure of distinction. For Magruder we hav
Sherman, worth fifty Msgruders; bis soul Is il
his battery, where Magruder's never was; an,
the men whose genius is being manifested ar,
such as Butler, Mcclellan and others, who, hav.
ing resigned in peace, are now awaiting the cal
of their country to take active service. Col
George A. Mccall, formerly Inspector. Genera
of the army, has again resumed his sword, anC
from his pillow in Chester county, aud will Civ,
vigor and system to the Pennsylvania troops
"There are few statistics worth noting o
the one hundred officers from Virginia, no
more than forty have resigned. This is slgnifi
cant that Virginia herselfis at present unde
leadership which the people will yet throw of
"a glance at the scientific corps Of the arm,
engineers, typographical engineers and ord.
nanoe) will show that nearly all the officers II
them are northern men, and amid the crowd o
resignations they remain almost intact. They
are, of course, the great intellectual resource o
an army, In which the southern forces are de
hcient. The cry, so often heard, that wo ar
left defenceless by the resignation Of the bes
officers, 10 thus seen to be entirely withou
foundation. But We may here offer q cautiol
to the State government not indirectly conneote
with the subject Let the, best men--men Q
military education, without regard to politics
pressure and wire. pulling, be appointed to th
aster II we make this time for political Job
bing." r1 ..,-