Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-23
New York, August Il, 1861.
For The Enquirer.
The War Departm ent-CoInplaints.

For The Enquirer.
Ehe War Observation-Disclosures.
That there arc frequent complaints against
the War Departmental few Of them plausible
admits Of no doubt. The wonder, however,
really is. that 4 revolutionary Government,
compelled to initiate its financial policy and
to commence the marshaling Of immense bo-
dies Of troops, almost At the same moment
with it's poTts blochadei--shoull have been
able to accomplish as much rs has been &C.
compiished by the heal ii the War Depart
ment. No man who is not, TO some extent,
familiar with the details Of the vast business
which this branch Of public service at present
controls, can properly estimate The ability and
the industry which in 1 very few months have
raised, equipped, fed and transported an iin-
menSe array; and have erected defences which,
so far, have proved sufficient. The Yankee,
with his vast supply Of material, with appa.
rently superabundunt appliances OF war, with
perfect organization of his whole military dc.
partnent, with immeasurable stores for sub
s~istence and facilities for transportation,
has not get demonstrated any advantage
orer as, OF the rery points that mere sap.
posed to constitute our ueak7less. We
have been able, almost everywhere, to meet
dlu lSpCb LA Gill -1lio lAS ulti ArNS
stands out prominently, that in the face OF
great scarcity at first of many Of the most cs-
sential requisites Of outfit and equipment, there
is no case known or suspected Of peculation
or imposition in the matter Of army contracts.
1t is a fact honorable to our people-nost cred.
table to the Secretary of War. Minor ericy-
ances there are and must continue to be, while
our newly formed government is taking TO il.
,olF Tnr,, I,y a., MI crlof1,fi,1 ,.a,o,J. yLo
Management eJ'our Var Department has been
greatly superior to that Of the enemy,
directed by The (supposed) a6lea mill
resources in men, money and material
have, all the while, been alleged to be illimita.
Bile. We have moved our troops as expeditions.
ly, as comfortably, and as efficiently as they
beginning without a nucleus for either an
army or a War Department.
General Walker, the Secretary, is ali able,
firm and honorable man and those who know
him we'll, as q gentleman and a member of the
Cabinet, know that the adjectives | apply to
him are fully deserved. He has devoted his
utmost energies to the discharge of the duties
Of his high Office"
The people Of the Confcdcracy need only
look to the results Of the labors Of the War
Department, to BE- satisfied, that in the main.
its affairs have been admirably administered.
1t is not allowable to give specific facts and
precise figures, but the whole country can see
that an immense army has been placed in the
field, in Il condition Of great Efficiency; and
when time shall allow full developments, no
branch OF the government will show a moro
satisfactory record, than that which has the
onerous and most vital responsibilities Of the
present war TO account for.
The writer Of this, (having no connection
with the War Department. offers the suggcs-
tons made herein, with the idea that sensible
people-in and outofthe army-will readily see
the propriety ofsubmitting withouta murmur,
to such evils and inconVeriences as are inevita.
BILE and that fair, minded men will find, in the
magnitude Of what has been accomplished,
a guaranty, that DEFICIENCIES which exist are
the consequences Of causes not under The con-
troll of the officers Of the Government. The
critic of tho corner speaks very flippantly Of
the necessity of sending 10000 men here, and
so, 900 there. and having them properly pro,
visioned, clothed and transported he scarcely
ever stops TO reflect how much labor, time and
money arc necessarily involved in the process.
Such incopsiderate criticisms often do harm
and are to be regretted, especially, at a time
when every efficient Off Ger Of the Government
should have the aid and countenancc of all Of
his fellow citizens. A.