Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-09-03

The Complaints of ssPhil.,

The Complaints of ssPhil.''
Some Rockbrdge man, under the signature of
s'Phil," in the last Lexington Gazette, in vein
of facetiousness, complains that justice has no.
been done Rockbridge county in the appoint
ment of field officers of the SD Regiment, to
Which that county has furnished three compa-
nies. He complains that Augusta county is re-
ceiving many honors, and Rockbridge none at
all. The Governor should not overlook the
rcerits of "Phil," who wonld no doubt wear the
shoulder straps" with dignity ard grace. The
following is an extract. from the somewhat
lengthy jeremaid of "Phil:"
"But word or SO about this new Regiment.
It will be seen that In the apportionment OF of
fcers, Augusta fares well. Inspector General
Bald Twin is the Colonel. This is regarded as a
good appointment. tor Col. Baldwin has the in
tellect to carry him through any position that
may be assigned him. But why double honors
when there are still few Augusta men without
any military titles? Col. Baldwin is Inspector
General. Surely that is enough But it don't
stop here. Augusta must be treble loaded with
rank and titles. The Lieutenant Colonel is Mi
chael G. Harman, who, by his flaming proclama-
tons, has made himself familiar as household
words tc all the people of West Augusta and a
thousand other Western places besides, under bis
stirring appeals and over his flaming signature OF
''Quartermaster and Major Commanding" 1t
appears that in the roaring tide of his affection
for Augusta, the Governor can find more titles
and offices for that favored county than he can
find men there to wear them. He has doubled
| Baldwins, and WHEN it comes to his especial ia
vorite, Mike, two amt enough, he must give the
"Quartermaster and Major Commanding" 8
third, SO that Mike can rise in his stirrups noun!
new shoulder strap and equestrianize through
the thoroughfares of Stanton with Ostrich fea-
ther streaming out behind, and a longer title
floating out before, 50 that all may know thai
Mike, In addition to what he was as Quarter
master and Major Commanding, is now alst
: Lieutenant Colonel. Originally it was NJ. G
Harman, "Qoartermaster and Major Command
ing" er o1Gci3 Governor of Western Virginia
now with the rank and increased dignity of Lieu
tenant Colonel, why cannot Mike also be know
ard revered as Lord OF Augusta and Duke O
Staunton9 In view of the double and treble
, burden of rank and title which the Augusta Col
onel and Lieutenant Colonel of this new regi-
ment have to bear upon their physical constltu
: tons, we would suggest that about six or a doz
e en- additional surgeons be appointed from An,
: gusta (or the more favored because more loya
Northwes) to this new and prodigally title'
regiment. as special guardians of the health o
e the two Colonels with five titles, to say nothing
e OF the ranks and degrees that belong to their e1
o6ica0s
But what shall we say of the Major of thi
. titulary Regiment? Well, we dcn't know what
IS Just Major Ross, and nothing more tor he don
come in with long array of double breasts
). titles and er-o65cios He represents Rockbridge
o but from what county he is from we don't know
and refer the inquisitive reader to Gov. Letchel
. who possibly may know whence he halls
'sKnow then this truth,
j. Enough for us to know,
It he is duly labelled and credited to Rockbridge
Let US be thankful for what has been intende
> for our brave and galsnt county, although sh
1t hasn't got anything. We will take the will 70
the deed, and be grateful to the Governor to
II what Rockbridge ought to have but what sh
o has not got"
n The editor of the Gazette, in reference to th
# article Of ''Phi," says:
'Onr correspondent, "Phi,n in speaking c
nj the field officers of the Regiment composed {
# the volunteers out Of the militia of ckbridg
e and Augusta does injustice to perhaps all of til
:, gentlemen. As to the first, Col. Baldwin, L
u better appointment could have been made, an
:, we regard it as noble act in him in leaving
l. hgner poslIlon and gong into more active ser
/. vice, in a lower position. Indeed we regard
= as pure patriotism for him to take any militar
position -Eos anr part we would prefer the tam
that John B. Baldwin has as lawyer, to tth
IS military fame OF any man in Virginia. If, there
d fore, Col. Baldwin estimates real greatness q
). we do, he has no reason to aspire to any militia
|. ry position. None can elevate him above@fh
v position which he has attained by the brightnes
!. of his own genius.
We know Eothing Of Mr.. Harman as militia
Is ry man.
n In respect TO Mr.. Ross, we have always take
II him to be an amiable gentleman, and we beiev
that he stood well as tactician at the V. n
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