Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-09-25
III ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST.
A NEW ERA.

THE ARMY OF SOUTHWEST
a NEW ERA.
With the appointment Of General SYDNEY
JOHNSTON to TIE command of the Western de-
partment of the Confederate Army, we may
we'll say that a mes and BIT eT era has been in
sugura,ed in the prosecution Of our war
Though but a SINCE week has elapsed since
be assumed active control of affairs, a mastery
vigor has suddenly infused Itself into military
operations throughout the Mississippi valley,
that is gratifying in the highest degree. It
is at once manifest to the close observer that
we now have a leader at the head Of our army,
who fully appreciates the high responsibility
Of bis post, and whose sdequateness to meet
the f4ttering expectations of the public mind,
is being incon,estibIy proven by ocular demon
strsdon. At a single glance, be seems to have
discerned the true condition Of matters with
the eye Of experienced generslshiP, and has
gone earnestly to work with the view Of ef-
feeting the necessary reforms. We venture to
say that in no section of the ConfedeTacy, are
the movements Of troops being conducted With
more secresy, Judgment and dispatch, or de
lenses being prosecuted with more energy and
skill than in the department of the Southwest.
Recruiting officers have taken 8 fresh start,
and The army is being rapidly increased to a
size equal to the emergency for which it lie
designed. Troops in broken regiments and
uaaeoepted companies, that ave been seeking
in vain, as we learn, to get into active service
heretofore, are nOw beisg marshaled into the
lines, preparatory to that proper drill and strict
discipline which can only make efficient SOL
dieTs.
l. were to conceal q well known truth not
to say, that our army has for weeks past been
gradually showing slight symptoms of democrat
izatioa-s fact attributable to causes toe mani
fest for comment. And had affairs continued
much longer as they were going on, we might
have well enteTtaiaes serious spprehensions of
the result. The advent Of Gen. JOHNSTON,
however, as we discover from innumsrabls
sources, promises to prove an effective panaeea
for these, and many ether snnoysnces which
the patience Of the people only tolerated for
evident reasons OF policy.
The enthusiastic manner Of his reception Al
Columbus, evinced il the outset the popularity
which bis prestige had engendersd; and The
continued confidence in lis ability and ~sficien-
cy is 2 common topic Of The camp. The army
Of tie Potomac does not to-day look to itsgal-
liant leaders With more in ense pride and salis-
faction than do the stslwaTt soEs Of the
Southwest to their newly installed general
nor does It as a body manifest a more unwa-
vsring determination to follow them on to vic
torious eombat, If necessary through the car
mage Of the gOry field.
There is no better fighting material in the
world than that which at this time constitutes
Gen. J~oHssToE's army. Il is not too much to
say that with proper drill and discipline, they
are iaEiBeible against double their number OF
onion-eating Yankees, and if brought iAto
battle at equal odds, would doubtless T.rove
victorious over a force Of similar size. taken
from the regulars Of European srnies. They
represent emphstically the hardy y>5manry of
The Southwest, the descendants Of the pio-
neers Of the great Mississippi vagey-men who
have been reared from cb6A.Iood to the ex-
posures Of the camp, ans nay be said to
almost have been born with the rifle in their
hands. We find among t'lem the reckless
bear-hunteTs Of ATkaas' :, the u1srring sharp
shooters CT Misssis'' pFi, The deadly riheuen
q tennessee, ard evea the brave Sons Of
Louisiana, sDl the intrepid yeOmen from the
northern u curtains Of Alabama.
Organ zstion Is all that is now needed to
comPie .e its efficiency, and TO this end The
general in command is directing his combined
skin and energy Under bis regime, the SOL
dieTs cannot expect 10 deport themselves in
thai loose and insuboTdiBate manner, which is
the chief characteristic Of newly enlisted
volunteers, unaccustomed to army regulations.
They may anticipate strict discipline, and par
ticulsrly its requisite of respectful obedience
to Superior officers, than which nothing else is
more absolutely essential to successes upon
tie field.
Present indications lead US to hope that the
reforms, which are now taking place with such
admirable judgment, may extend throughout
every ramifcation Of he army, quietly dis
posing Of all incompetent officers, without
respect of persons. This done, and we may
safely look for victories in the Mississippi
valley, second to none in point Of magnitude
and brilllsncy that may be achieved elsewhere
during TIE progress Of the war.