Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-07-25
The Recent Achievements of Nc
Clellan and Siegel the Result of
Military Education.


The movements Of Gen. Mcclellan and Col
Siegel are complete illustrations and justifi-
cations of all that has been said about the
value of educated officers and the worthless
ness of uneducated ones. Here are two men
one said to be about thirty-fve and the other
about thirty eight years of age, who wher
placed in POSITIONS of danger, chow them
selves equal to every emergency.
Of MeClellen much was expected, and he
has fuly satisfied the public expectations.
Educated thoroughly in every department of
Military Science, the requirements of biz
professional industry are organized, vivifed
and directed by az original aud suggestive
mind. He consequently possesses that com
binatien Of high intellectual qualities, with
a mastery Of minutest details, which is the
great Characteristic of great commanding
officer. Every step Of his dangerous prog
ress through the wilds and valleys. the woods
and mountains Of Western Virginia, has been
complete success lot a success due OF the
accident of superior force or the possession Of
superior arms, but one due only to caution,
judgment and skill. His strategy is full Of
genius. The position he takes. the courses
by which he marches. the divisions be makes
of his forces, his opening road through
forest-al show his wisdom and forecast
His glorious victory at Beverly copsumates
his march of conquest, and be now reports
that which lie SET himself 10 do is accomplish
ed, and the object Of liberating Western
Virginia is effected. Here Is no halfway
business, but he has done his work artisti-
cally and entirely. No blunderisg, no fall
tering, none of that mortitying saucherie
which marks the mere apprentice hand, dis
figures his operations.
No weakness, no contempt,
Dispraise or blame; nothing but We'll and fair.
He had certain mission to fulfil, and in
the words. We have routed the enemy and
driven him out of Western Virginia" we
read the modest but grand announcement of
its completion.
10 like manner, if we scan the recent ac-
ton of Colonel 6iegel in Missouri there is
the same reason for eongrafnlation. al
that be does indicates a fertility of resource,
a radidity of action, a quickness of cembina
ton, which disclose the practioed eye and
the fertile mind. The entire resources of
military art seems to be at bis command =
There is no rawness, but whether he adyan-
ces, or retreats, makes a movement, or feigns
one, everything displays genius. His name
was not known to the public as McClellans
was, but when we come to learn something
about his personal history, we find that he,
too, is thoroughly trained and educated
officer, having enjoyed she advantages of one
of the best military schools of Europe.
Thus it is that the most splendid active
displays, thus far, have been made by the
best trained men. 1t will be so throughout.
Such as these do not lose their presence of
mind they do not faint and fall from their
horses they do not have an inopportune at
tack of the diarrhoea. What would Pierce,
or Price, Schenck, or SanGerscn, or any Of
that ik, or any civilian whatever, have been
worth in the position of Mcclellan or of
Siegel? We draw the veil over great Beth
ell, but we thank God for Beverly If we do
not learn wisdom from defeat, let US be
charmed into it by victory.