Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-12-06
commanding Omcers.

We have received SO many communications
complaining Of the bearipg Of some Of the com
handing ,Hi ers Of our army towards the pri
yste soldiers, that we deem it a duty 10 call
the attention of these officers to the facI-
When charges sent US are specific as 10 ia''S
and persons, We think it betterto transfer 'hsn
to the authorities for their corrective acs'oh'
Frivolous and indefinite complaints We cannon
afford to dress in type. But when letters from
different sources unite in a common crlticism,
il is evidence that the matter requires attention
The disposition Of soldiers Is to take prlae
IN their leader. If he is worthy their respect
and love, be is sure to win them. But there
ara some who have very grand ideas OF the
sp.ce which separates an officer from a pfi-
v.ta. They consider it anprofessional to have
much concern with their soldiers, save IN shafp
--a--e. and in pointing them against the enc
M. The tendeuey of long command Is 70 oego'
this feeling. Il may, indeed, be oWaole !"
the management of regular troops, hired for q
series of years. The discipline which &C.
stroys the individuality and turns the soldiers
into machines, may treat them as such-
1t may, indeed, be doubted whether another
course would not be better, even with regu-
lars. The English historian OF the late fuS-
sian war contrasts the besring to their troops
respectively, of the English and the French Of
hcsrs in the siege Of Seb.stopol. In the awful
suHerings of the terrible winter which the two
armies passed before the b~eleaguered city, the
distresses and the gloom of the English camp
were far greater than those Of the French
We ere told that the French OH GERS freely
consorted with their men in the camps, chce'eo
them By evidences Of sympathy, animated
them with words of encouragement, aad seem
ed studious to promote their comfort End con-
tribute to every innocent enjoyment. The
English officers, on the contrary, remained
,loof. and cultivated official dignity. They
were known to their mon only by commands
to serve in the terrible trench, or to march
upon some stern duty. Lord Raglan was 81
most as invisible as the Grand Lama. These
different courses told very greatly in favor OF
the French, if we are to believe the statement
Of the English historian.
But, whatever the effect upon regulars, we
are perfectly persuaded that the officer who
pursues the English plan towards Confederate
American Volunteers is unfit for his post;
and if he cannot OF will not accommodate
himself 10 other ideas, he should resign CT
be removed. lie should, indeed, insist upon
full respect for his authority, and tor all val
liable purposes he should exercise it; but he
should not forget that the feather in his cap
is all tho difference between him and bis SOL
disrs. he should carefully abstain from snJ
thing that might wear the appearance OF ca
PRECIOUS exaction or wanton disregard OF his
mems comfort or enjoyment On the contrary,
he should impress himself upon them-sho"
hiu.o~,r osuIioua of THAR comfort, aud q sharer
Of their sympathies.
We have many such faithful officers, men Of
both heart and head; and their soldiers love
them and would follow them into the jaws Of
desth. Blu, the letters before US tell That all
are not SUCH. There are some exceptions
These are a great disadvantage to the service.
II they cannot abandon their false ideas Of Oh
fcial dignity and consequence, they should
array themselves in all the gorgeous toggery
oil gold lace and bright buttons, and march
with majestic stride-out Of the service