The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-01
The Two Forces In the Field.


With the most accurate returns at our COM
mand, we have been enabled to locate q force
of $4,000 government troops In the field at
those points which may be deemed actually
within the line of operations, destined to act
upon the South, either for attack or defence.
These points extend from Cairo at the north
west to Fortress Monroe on the southeast,
and include Southern Ohio, Western Pennsyl-
vania and Western Virginia (the forces at
these three points being directed against Har-
pers Ferry, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Wash
ington, and the lines now occupied by our
troops on the Virginia shores of the Potomac,
westward from Alexandria.
In addition to these, not less, probably, than
q hundred thousand men are organized for the
service Of the government all over the North
and West, in camps, barracks and in the
large cities, making a total. force of two
hundred thousand actually in the field,
and ready to move to any point
where their services may be required.
Within twenty four hours march of Cairo, the
most western end of the line, we are credibly
informed, there are not less than $4,000 men
in camp at different places-a force quite
adequate to render that point perfectly secure
from any attack by the seeded States border
ing on the Mississippi. In New York and the
Eastern States there is no abatement of the
military ardor which characterized the earliest
days of the war excitement when the govern.
ment appealed to the patriotism of the people
to defend the national capital, and sustain the
flag of the republic, which had been stricken
down at Fort Sumter. Any amount of men
can be obtained which General Scott may
require to carry out his admirable plans for
subduing the insurrecion-men, too, very
fairly drilled and armed, who will be available
for active service at moments notice. Be-
sides these, there are thousands willing and
ready to follow should an emergency arise.
Our accounts of the Southern army opposed
to this immense force are necessarily uncer.
tain, accurate means of information being cut
off; but we think that we do not at all under
estimate the number when we put it down at
$4,000 now stationed at various points in Vir-
gnia, and probably half as many more avala-
BILE for service in other parts of the South.
AS to the efficiency of the tive forces in the
field, there can be no doubt, we think, that the
advantage lies with the army of the United
States government. They are better disci-
plined, better armed, have more field artillery,
and are more accustomed to act in masses than
the Southern troops. The Southern men, it is
true, are composed of the fighting element, and
make excellent guerillas; they are handy with
the pistol and the knife good rife shots, and
yet no better, perhaps, even at this weapon,
than many of our Northern men; but then they
are not used to operate in large bodies, and
are decidedly deficient in the proper use of
the bayonet, most important qualification for
infantry in action.
A fair illustration Of the difference between
Northern and Southern discipline was present.
ed in the Mexican war-though the troops Of
both sections were equally brave-in the case
Of Colonel Buffers South CAROLINA regiment
which rushed into battle pellmell, and re-
turned almost decimated, leaving hundreds of
their number dead on the field. The New York
regiment, in the same action, though as bril-
liantly engaged, lost very few men, and the
South Carolnians pointed to their immense
sacrifice Of life as an evidence of their valor;
whereas it proved but useless sacrifice; while
the New York troops, being better disciplined,
! did quite as much if not more valuable SER
vice with comparatively little loss. Impetu-
osity and reckless daring are very well
sometimes, but disciplined action is bet.
ter. We know that it is only within few
years that the militia have been or
ganized into regiments at all. Both North and
South the State militia was comprised Of sepa-
rate companies merely, and knew little or
lotbipg of battalion drill. New York city Get
the example in regimental organization, and it
is due in a great measure to the visits of the
Seventh and few other well trained New York
regiments to other cities that battalons and
regiments have now been formed in almost
every city throughout the North and West. The
spirit of emulation accomplished more in this
instance than the rules Of the service. The
South, however, has been slow in follow
ing the example of the North; hence her forces
are disjointed and irregular.
The policy Of Gen. Scott, in making his pre-
parations carefully and at leisure, must have
armies, because, while it affords time to fully
equip and train his own troops, and make the
commissariat as nearly perfect as possible, thus
insu,ipg them fine physical condition, the
delay will tend to increase the discomfort and i'm
patience of the Southern troops, who are eager
for instant action, aud are daily becoming de-
moralized. The original programme of the
rebel leaders, it must be remembered, has been
wholly disarranged by the conduct Of the
government. Their expectation undoubtedly
was that when the Lincoln administration came
into Office its military power would be restrict
ed to the force of the regular army at the m-
mediate disposal Of the Executive, and that no
addition to this force could be mace until con-
stitutionally authorized by special act of Con-