, 1861-08-03
DIFFERENTIATION and Lack Of Disef.
pine I'm 1he ArNy..Een. McCleliAnf4

and Lack Of D1seI.
pine IN 1he Arm1".Gea. mcClellazss
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Commercial1
~. WASHINGTON, July q, 1851. :.
Discipline Disciplined Diselpline!l! Such
Ia noH the watchWord which represents the
one thing needfn1 OF the army. The universal
and even criminal 1onsenees which peryaded
the late march toward Manassas, has been still
further exhibited since the return to Wash.
drunkenness, most disgraeeful to the officers,
and damaging to the army. Not only have
hundreds and thousands Of so1diers-most Of
Ehom have their camps On the other side of
the riyer, been permitted to oithrong the streets
of Washington at all hours, but they hsge
been let loose with muskets In their hands,
then to 70 reeling about tie streets, Imperil,
ing their OWL lives and those Of the citizens.
On single afternoon, was personAlIy
witness to the manning Of three different IN
d{Sidtals, by the accidental discharge Of fire.
arms In the hands Of soldiers. Two Of them
took place on the crowded corner Of Wizards
standing in the cfoWd--one soldier, and the
other citizen. In several instances more
fatal results have followed this utterly ecau-
da1Dus and inexcnsable practice OF carrying
weapons loosely about the crowded thorough
fares, at IN unsteady pace, and with their muz-'
Zes pointed in every direction bat the proper
one.
And the public peace has been still further
and almost constantly disturbed by the drunk
en- men prevalent among the soldiery. 4 few
weeks ago, before the troops were generally
paid of, had oScasion to bear testimony to
10 their uniform good behavior throughout
the city. But latterly, whether from the
thoughIleas indulgence and too frequently
participation Of the regimeutal officers, or
trom the abiding effects Of the denomination
: na$6 71o -{~-L L-FS -.
terregnum of authority which seems to have
been interposed between the retiring Of Gen.
Mcdowell and the arrival Of Gen Mcclellan
fiom whatever cause 1t may belt Is certain
that the amount Of liquor consumed with 18-
mentable effect among the troops, has been
enormous. No sight is more common than to
meet reeling and staggering Soldiers in the
streets, alone, or supported By their compan-
ions--or-more rarelJ-under charge Of their
patrol
Nor Is this state Of things By any means
| confined to Washington. From Aexandria,
reports reach ns Of a degree Of disorder and
| even violence among the troops there, which
battle. The truth is, discipline has been IN.
| patdonab1y neglected In every direction. Or
| fcers Of all grades have been false to the Oh.
| legations Of the service, and the men have to-
| ken advantage Of the 1axity Of their superior
| officers to break all military rules.
Ctu+ mECtellaU uuuH Ills new eQ0QDA1Q o.
the army Of the Potomac in a highly unsatis,
factory condition Already be finds il
necessary to be almost constantly among the
various camps in person, to bring command
ing officers, who should need no prompting,
to seusc Of their duty. The 1ounglng and
gossipping at hotels, Of the men In whom the
country has reposed the tremendous trust Of
organizing victory for the army and safety 70,
the people, is being stopped The pe1ambu
lating Of the streets, with weapons careless15
handled, and the freqGentIng Of whisky shops
| by the rank and file Of the army, Is to be pu'
IN end to. Gen. Mcclellan even has 1t in con
temptation to cut up the evil by the roots, By
an exercise Of the military power incident K
cases Of emergency, and closing every drink
irg saloon IN Washington
| Of one thing the people may rest assured
cur amy here ia now, for the first time, il
really able and efficient hands. Aman of ra1'
administrative ability and distinguished prac
ticA qualities, combined with the love Of dis
cipljne OF q thorough military naan, Gen Nc
Clellan is not to be tfiaed with, nor Is he th
man to suffer great army to disgrace tn
Government, and lend strength and Tictory t.
the enemy BY its lack Of organization an
/ 11rAftica1 efficfencY