Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-11
w. D. WALLACH.
An ENGLISHMAN'S VIEWS ON THE
AMERICAN WAR


Mr. RusseII's Letters to the Londsn Times.
"Our Oucu'' Treats of Jefferson Das7s and
las Lax Of Military Sagaeity and E,,er-
gy-A Good Word for Gen: Scotf-Baek-
7cardHeSS of the Southern EntiStmeNts-
Tbs Reason Why-Abssnce Of Cavalry
Adrentatres at Montgomery-Hotel and
Other DETERMINATIONS There, ETC., etc.
New ORLEANS, May %.
Hitherto Mr.. Jefferson Davis has not ev;nced
all the sagacity and energy, in a military
sense, which he Is said to possess. 1t was bad
strategy to menace Washington before he could
act. His Secretary of War, Mr.. Walker, many
weeks ago, in public speech, announced the
intention Of marching upon the capital If it
was meant to do so, the blow should have been
struck silently. If it was not intended to seize
upon asciEston, the threat had q very dis
sstreus effect on the South, as it excited the
North to immediate action, and caused Gen.
Scott to concentrate his troops on points which
present many advantages in the face of any
operations which may be considered necessary
along the lines either Of defense or attack.
The movement against the Norfolk Navy
Yard strengthened Fortress Monroe, and tine
Potomac and Chesapeake were secured by the
United States The fortified ports held by the
Yirginisns and Confederate States troops are
commanded by the oneny's steamers; and
Gen. Scott has shown that he has not outlived
either his reputation or his vigor by the steps,
at once wise end rapid, he has taken to curb
the malcontents in Maryland and to open his
communication through the city Of Baltimore.
Although immense levies of men may be got
together on both sides for purposes Of local de-
fsnss or for State operations, it seems to me
that 1t will be very difficult to move these
masses in regular armies. The men are not
disposed for regular heightened service, and
there Is an utter want Of field trains, equip
ments, and commissariat, which cannot be
made good in a day, a week, or a month
The bill passed by the Montgomery Congress
entitled "An act to raise an additional military
force to serve during the war;" is, in fact a
measure TO put in the bands Of the Government
the control of irregular bodies of men, and to
bind them to regular military service.
With all their zeal, the people Of the South
will not enlist They detest the recruiting ser
geant, and Mr. Davis knows enough of war to
feel hesitation in trusting himself in the field
TO volunteers. The bill authorizes Mr.. Davis
70 accept volunteers who may offer their SER
vices, without regard to the place of enlist
ment, " TO serve during the war unless sooner
discharged" They may be accepted in com
paDies, but Mr.. Davis is to organize them into
squsdrons, battaiions, or regiments, and the
appointment Of field and staff officers is re-
served especially to him. The company off,
GERS are to be ell ected by the men Of the COM
Pany, but here again Mr. Davis reserves the
right of veto, and will only commission those
whose election he approves.
The absence Of cavalry and the deficiency Of
artillery may prevent either side obtaining
any very decisive results in one engagement;
but no doubt there will be great loss whenever
these large masses Of men are opposed to each
other in the field. OF the character Of the
northern regiments I can say nothing from
actual observation; nor have yet seen in any
place such a considerable number of the troops
Of the Confederate States moving together as
would justify me in expressing any opinion
with regard To their capacity for organized
movements such as regular troops in Europe
are expected to perform.
An intelligent and Trustworthy observer
taking one of the New York State militia regi-
ments as a fair specimen OF the battalions
which will fight for the United States, gives an
account of them which leads me to the conclu-
sion that such regiments are much superior
when furnished by country districts to those
raised in towns and cities. 1t appears in this
case, at least, that the members Of the regular
militia companies in general send substitutes
TO the ranks. Ten of these companies form the
regiment, and in nearly every instance they
have been doubled in strength by volunteers.
Their drill Is exceedingly iScomplete, and in
forming the companies there is a tendency for
the different nationslities to keep themselves
together.
In the regiment in question the rank and fle
often consists Of qusrrymen, mechanics, and
canal boatmen, m0untaineers from the Cats
kill, bark peelers and timber cutters-ungain-
ly, squsre-built, powerful fellows. with Dutch
tenaoity Of purpose crossed with an English in
difference to danger. There is no drunkenness
and no desertion among them. The sficers
are almost as ignorant OF military training as
their men. The colonel, for instance, is the
son Of rich man in his district, we'll educated,
and a man Of travel Another officer Is ship
usster.
A third is an artist, others are merchants
and laN yers, and they all busy studying
Hsrdie's Tactics, the best book in infantry
drill In the United States. The men have
come out to fight for what they consider the
cause Of the country, and are said to have no
particular hatred Of the South or Of its inhab-
itsnts, though they think they are ga darned
deal too high and mighty, and require to be
notion ss to the length of time for which their
services will be required. and / am assured
that not one Of them has asked what his pay is
TO be.
Rsverting to Montgomery, enc may say
without ofense that its claims TO be the capital
Of q Republic which asserts that it is the rich
est and believes that IL will be the strongest in
the world, are not by any means evident to a
stranger. Its central position, which has ref
erenoe rather to q map than to the hard face
Of matter, procured for IL a distinction to
which il had no other claim. The accommo-
datten which suited the modest wants Of q
State Legislature vanished or were transmitted
into bsrbarous fnconvenisnces, by the pressure
Of q central government, with its Offices, its
departments, and the vast crowd Of applicants
which focked thither to pick up such crumbs
Of comfort as could be spared from the Execu-
tive table.
Never shall forget the dismay Of myself
and of the friends whe were travelling with me,
on our arrival at the Exchange Hotel, under
circumstances with some Of which you are
already acquainted With rs were men oi
high position, members Of Congress, Senators,
ex-Governors, and General Besursgard him.
self. But TO no one was greater accommoda-
ton extended than could be furnished by q
room held, under o sort Of ryot-warree tenure,
In common with q community Of strangers.
Ny room was shown to me. It contained four
large four post beds, q rickety table, and some
chairs Of intirH purpose and fundamental un-
seundness. The floor was carpetless, covered
with litter of paper and ends Of cigars. and
stained with tobacco juice.
The broken glass OF the window afforded no
uugrateful means Of ventilation. One gen.
tleman sat in his shirt sleeves at the table,
reading the account Of the msrshalling Of the
HighlaLders at Edinburgh in the Abbotsford