The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-17
Tennessee Major Generals.

TenneSSee MAJ
The deservedlys high estimation in
which Gen. VIM. B. Campbell is held by
the people Of Tennessee, as gallant and
efficient soldier, as we'll as the great per-
sonal popularity which he justly enjoys
all over the State, very naturally led to
the hope and expectation that he would
DO placed in one of the leading and most
important positions in the army of Ten
ncssee, and among those who are not
aware of all the circumstance, the alb
sence of his name from the list of APP
pointments has been made the subject of
complaint. We are happy to have it in
OAR power, therefore, to place before our
readers such facts as must lead to n unan-
imous acquicscence in the course pursued
by the appointing power. These facts
are correctly and sucoinctly stated in the
following letter from this city to the
Memphis Bulletin, written by the senior
editor OF that paper. Alter stating and
commenting upon in terms of proper
commentator the appointment of Gen.
Pillow and Gen. S. r. Anderson as senior
and junior Major Generals, the writer
says:
In this connection it is but just to all
concerned that your readers and the
public at large should know that high
commando should not err widely if
were to say that the highest was within
his grasp--was urged upon that iayorite
of large portion Of the people of Ten
nessec, Gen. VIM. b. Campbell, and de
clined by him, from an over modest APP
probation of his own abilities. | happen
| to know that not only the position Of
junior Major General was frankly and
earnestly rendered to him by Gov. llar-
ris, but that Gen. Pillow, with the loyal
patriotism of q true soldier, would have
| taken service under him if he could have
accepted the chief command. We hap
pen to know also that Gen. Campbell
concurred heartily and cordially in the
choice of Gen. Pillow ms the very best
that could be made in the State, and
that he heartily concurs in the propriety
Of the appointment of his tried Lieuten-
ant. Colonel of the Mexican War to the
second in command. As it may some
what interest number of volunteers
now rallying around the standard of Ten
nessee in this her hour of peril, violate
private correspondence so far as to give
| the following extract from a letter writ
ten by Gov. G.. to a friend as carly as the
lst of May, in which lie said then, as
when the appointment was pressed on
| him:
81 must say to you that | will not ae-
cept any position for which am satisfied
that ! am not fully and property q1aiifcd.-
| 1t will require, in this great emergency
of our State, higher abilities than | pos
sess to command her armies and to WELD
her brigades and divisions- | may enter
the service of my State, but it will be in
a subordinate capacity. Ny business and
the condition OF my family forbid me
leaving home Immediately. Our State
will need the services of all her sons,
and mine shall be with her, in that ca
pacity in which | think | can serve her
| best. want no place or position in civil
life, and | can give my person, at any
moment as q soldier, when ! shall be
needed"
have dwclt thus long on this matter.
| for that we have all so recently emerged
from the low purlieus of political parli-
sanship, up into that lofticr and holier
atmosphere Of patriotism in which all
hearts are inspired to
"Strke,-till the last armed foe expire
Strike!-for our affairs and our fires
Sirikc!-for the green graves Of our sircs--
| Con and oUr nutire land"
that without knowledge of the facts
have stated, some might suppose other
reasons operated to prevent their follow
ing the standard of their fayorito leader.
Than this, there could not be greater
mistake; and while cannot but regret
that an old and tried comrade on other
fields than those of his more recent glo-
ry, should thus undcrrate himself, | am
| glad that it has made me better know
and appreciate those with whom have
heretofore been politically opposed.
We trust with these facts before them
the friends Of Gen. Campbell will cor
daily and unanimously acquiesce in the
appointments. 1t should be enough for
every patriotic Tennesseean to know that
he will fight under the command Of Of
| ficers of unquestioned ability, military
skill, gallantry, energy and unselfish dc
votion TO the cause. Mere personal pref
erences or prcjudices should be at once
and entirely banishcd from the mind and
heart at such crisis. The man who can.
moi and will not willingly and gladly
make this sacrifice at such time can
hardly be expected 10 risk his life for
his country.