Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-18
TIE TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS.

To The Editor Of the Wig:
Certainly no army organized, possessing the
same patriotism bravery and that stern determination
10 conquer or to die that Of the Confederate Stat
As 70 how the Southern people have responded to the
ca, for volunteers let facts speak for themselves As
large as our army is the present time offers of reg-
msnts and companies have been refused time and again
at the War Office If it large enough for pres
ent contingencies the force might be doubled in few
wceEs. Why is there this eagerness for volunteering
for the war in the South when there Is corresponding
hardness exhibited at the North. II Is because every
citizen Of the South e,ls that personal interest," that
pride in this war which would make him sacrifice every
dollar and shed the last drop of blood, before submit
ting to the North But is to be feared that this PRIDE
this glowing patriotism, Ia being daily weakened.
Many man having left behind him. to engage in this
war his family his quiet happy home, lis comforts and
luxuries-even II they be but the humble clay pipe, bis
and the afternoon nap, or the more arisocrac ha-
vana silk dressing gown, embroidered slippers and an
uncat mags zne"-is made to experience through the
coaraenes, and brutality Of superiors-in military rank
only-a feeling of degradation and disappointment,
enough 10 dampen the purest and hottest patriotism
Men, socially their equals, lnsled without pros
abOu.eShibng the patience Of martyrs under the in.
actiou BY Sp,ars shielded by parchment and shoulder
straps and armed with swords. Isl notorious fact,
that negrocs when made of become the hrd
est masters aud 80 /, H. In ouS -a'y, -i'V, oy
political influence, or By accidental Relationship 10
an officer In an Influential position get ato some oAice
reouiIiuR commission. The natural instincts and feel
ipgs Of tho man are exhibited, generally speaking
In the form Of domineering air. to interiors and ds'
gushing todyism to superors.
It Il al nonsense to bring up West Point discipline
and attempt 10 establish it in such an army as ours
The two systems s,a totally different, as playing With
dol.babies is from practical housekeeping. What was
the pa,ersl of the Irregular army" OF the late United
sstesy" Il ives composed for the most part Of the de-
rs OF the foreign population and the very worst 9th
native. When a nan had committed the worst Crimes
wheu by misfortune or ssness, lie became down a the
heel or by the fai,hessness Of womAn he beanie
ulrerable, he enlisted-not until every avenue was
closed to him did he enlist. he entered the armyH
craven wretch, accustomed to be kicked and odered
about, Not SO with voiuneerl accustomed frm in
hroy TO all the surroundings OF civilization and efne
msnt accus omed TO command he offers his services to
his country to risk his life If 1t need be- In the ferce
of its honor, asking the appreciation Of bis coutry as
| the only pay.
Such an army as ours never before existed The in
domitsbe pluck OF the men, the stod determination
to stand the bardships Of camp life, the selisrricing
spirit, has no parallel in history But when Mn comes
10 urd r,,aud that he is nothing but machineor had
AZ well have no name but be designated by number,
like galley slave-that his life might be sacifced at
INV moment TO advance the selfish ends of superior
when command /, meyer given him unless accompanied
by an oath when no attention is paid to his comfort;
when he is left to sleep the bare ground whilst his
superior officers may revel In the Injuries feather
bed aud comfortable chamber bis hear. grow sick and
vesry bis thoughts revert 10 his happy h,,e TO bis
| wife and little ones, Many poor soldia puts up
with III treatment and hssdships, rather tlan com.
Main. He often docs not complain for reasG OF the
very pride he takes in being soldier de thinks is
better to stand these things for while longer Ibis time
;,i,o., be out, but when 10 is cot be viii haze
count to settle with Capt This Col. Thai; ,bere will
be no commission courtmsrtia to skuk bethd then.
There is scarcely in the Army who bal not been
made to feel degraded disappointed, aye-crshed, BY
the rough t sament of superoIs nattentye bic com.
forts and BY the total disregard Of his individuality
man.
See the poor wretches when they are abelt some Of
the D, p,rtuents-sick perhaps wounded Gross re-
plies to reasonable question frequently no hswer at all
the difficulty Of finding tie officers with whm they have
bu iness the obstacles thrown in their wal generally
csus. them to become so bewldered tebe anos: on
the verge Of distraction.
Unless these evils corrected, the Amy will be de-
monzed-ruined.
FYERIRNnE