The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-24
Volunteer and Militia Officers.

the numerous volunteer corps which have been recently
formed in ear State and all over the south, we
have thought some attention due at this time to the
subject of selection of officers
The most prominent, in many assemblage for the
selection of officers, has been, fear what may be
called your political military His military tastes
and efficiency ad capandum, superficial and dest
tute of heart and earnest purpose. He is ambitious of
ohice-ready to risk his life; and to sacrifice the
lives of all under him. with his eye ever the civil
honors Of his countrymen as his reward A courticr,
who is eloquent in his praises of the czen-solliery
the fountains of patriotism under his tongue, and
the victories Of your forefathers only to be
passed by those to which he will point the way Who
so fit for leader? Elect him. Yes to the egisla
turc or the senate. Make him governor, PRESIDENT
any thing, rather thar give him military command
lie will YOU mere stepping stones to civil sta
tea He would give cold support to troops where
another would reap the glory He would march you
DEATH to be up in time to be named the field
Of battle not to do efficient service but that it might
count him so many votes in an election.
Who comes next a candidate for the favors of his
fellows? Your military man of former war. He truly
has the advantage in things and is, at least
Il few questions Did he cvince any aptitude for mill
tary life? For what did he distinguish himself among
his comrades? If he did not impress them with his
fitness for command, why they sheud select ban: Is
it. that having service he has studied much
since that he has given attention to military mat
tiers than others from whom You might select? That
having made some voyages to before the mast he
has since studied navigation has aided Lieut.. Mauray
in Ills observatory and has in word thoroughly pre-
pared himself to command ship? If our military
friend cannot prove his title clear Office higher than
that in which he was tried by something like the above,
he should fall back into the ranks with the rest ard
be judged of as others.
We might run through with long list of those ur-
fit for military command, beginning with your noisy.
mouthng bully, and coming down to your fine looking
officer, your man with no more brains than bullet;
but leaving Them we will turn our thoughts to those
who are fit.
First and foremost should come your man Of military
education, and If possible Of experience, The militia
~ profession furnishes ded in which of ordinary
capacities may labor for some years without exhaust
ing the SOIL and notwithstanding the contrary opinion
held by some men Of talent, there have been few
PRACTICAL men, NdpOlCOl LOT WHO
officers could only be made by study. Besides tue
knowledge of art, mistakes in the practice Of which
must be paid for with death and suffering, the cduca-
ton of these men will have tended to make them firm,
intrepid, prudent modest, systematic and prompt ii
the discharge Of duty They will have been wen
taught how to command, by having learned how to
obey Even IN the case of ourfrst tavorte, We would
forget that have gone through military schools,
perhaps through West Point itself very lttle
impressed by their advantages For it must be ad-
mtcd that military education alone does not always
insure military man, or a good officer Nature has
much to do with the formation of military man"
Next should come those who, without the oPportuni
ties for thorough education, have from inclination,
given such attention they could to military subjects
If men cannot be found WHO have been educated for
particular profession, who have natural turn for
its requirements the next best thing be done where
such knowledge talent is wanting, it seems to Us,
would he to select men who habitually do well what
ever they undertake. good planter, professional
man, mechanic, merchant, or of whatever employment
socver he mag be- let him be good Of his kind. But
we wish to be understandable do not mean to assert
that good business is particularly likely to make
|
ton. On the contrary the business man" ever been
subject for sneers amongst soldiers, whether justly
unjusty. Some Of the most dashing leaders on re-
cord have been derilme-care, Wild fellows who never
acquired the meaning of the word business But
good officer must be man good for something's man
marked fer what he undertakes. We think for exam
pie, good sportsman-a man Of patient pursuit,
purpose perseverance watclffalnesS caution, dar-
ing, selfrelance-is apt to make good an officer
as any untried man. Yet this man may never have
seen legcr
It would be bad policy for any company to select its
officers from any one walk of civil life. 1t will add to
the efficiency Of any company to have varied informa-
ton possessed BY its officers, as well as members
There is one subject to which we would call special
attention. viz the appointment of the staff officers.
These have come to be regarded of little value in
4 military point Of view. We dc not mean to offend
when We say that personal friendship, pleasing
ncrs, fine appearance good seat in the saddle, and
such like reasons to have all that Weighed in the
choice Of men, on whom, to great extent, depends
the discipline of the troops-ther efcicncy-so far as
it can be effected by the proper supply of food cloth
ing arms munitions selection Of sites for camps, and
NIL thatrcatcs to tile care Of the sick, &C.. &C. From
this time hencclorth, let all who have such appoint
ments make, remember that no matter how skillfu
the commander, good the separate bodies under
his command, that army must be a miserable affair
in which there not good staff officers The staff
officers of Napoleon, Wellington, Dicbitsch, Butcher
Washington rank only next to themselves. We have
but to name thcmin proof Of assertion; Berthther
Soult Somerset Barclay, Thurnhogst, Hamilton, Gue
scnau, Greene.
The Importance which the French attach to this por
ton Of their service is cvnccd by the system adopt
ed for the education of such officers in their Ecolc
D'Etat Major. No one has the patronage Of appoint
ing to that school The twenty-five required each year
are furnished BY taking three Of the most distinguish
ed scholars of the Ecole Polytechniquc, and twenty
two also of the distinguished of the military col
Ioge Of St Cyr After years in that costly school
where the professors almost equal in number their
pupils Rot forgetting their previous preparation, the
futaroGtaf officers Of France then obliged
for years observation-disclosures in the cavalry for
two years adenaors in the infantry, aud
sometimes year in the artillery.
Do we 9yer-cstmate the inheritance Of this subject