Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-17
A London Journal on the Character OF
southern sOIdiers.

The London Daily Nelcs has the follow
ing in regard to the Southern military
genius
The fourth consideration is of the quality
of the Southern army. What sort of soldiers
the Northern men will make we can hardly
Judge by facts. 1t is the boast of the South
that the force of the Mexican war was fur
nshed chiefly by that section; and the as
sertion is ratified by the Northern boast
that the Free States supplied very small
force to that atrocious War; and that that
contingent consisted mainly of the adven-
turer class, who are always sent away to q
distance with great alacrity. Except in the
Seminole War in Florida, the Northern men
have hardly appeared in the field at all,
and there they contrasted most favorably
with the Southern troops. They little knew
what they went for. They were unaware
that the object of the so-called war was the
capture of escaped slaves, together with the
children of negro women who had mated
with Indians, on the Southern plea that the
children follow the fortunes of the mother.
When the truth came out the heartburning
in the North was sore enough to account
with other like provocations, for the pres
ent conflict Parents and all society
mourned the young men slaughtered by In
dams in the swamps in such q cause. But
the troops made themselves q reputation for
spirit and discipline which has never been
iivslled by Southern soldiery.
When we hear of the military genius of
the South, we naturally turn to what we
know. We know something of the Mexican
War, of which they make their boast We
know what a miserable enemy they had
there and we know what miserable hand
they made of several of the enterprises of
the campaign. There is testimony enough
to prevent its ever being forgotten that the
commanders were at their wits end to get
their troops out and home again, and what
to do with them while abroad. In the alb
sence of discipline on the one hand, and Of
due legal authority on the other, offenses
were constantly occurring which there were
no proper means of dealing with; and
punishments were inflicted which disguised
every foreigner in the force land there
were many immigrants from Europe). Sol
ders were tied neck and knees together,
and set down by the roadside, to be mocked
at by the troops marching past. Whatever
could break q mans spirit or torture his
passions was invented to supply the def
cheney of authority and the troops grew
wilder every day. When ordered to pursue
the enemy they piled their arms and went
to play. When appointed to any service,
as part of q scheme, they announced
that they were going home; and the COM
manders cursed the very name of volun-
teers. The practical question now is
whether that boasted Southern army and
the present are at all of the same quality.
All that we can know is that that army
must be composed of certain elements.
The Shareholders are a mere handful Of
men; and of them we know that very few
are likely to fight their Northern kindred
and customers with any relish. The non
Shareholders are the largest element; and
they showed their quality in Mexico and
Kansas. The better part in the Kansas
case went over to Northern views as soon
as they learned what they were and the
worst portion were q mere banditti. The
free blacks will hardly be sent North. Il
is announced that the Indians Of three
tribes have offered their services to the
Confederacy; but they will be employee
near home, no doubt, if at all. 1t is i'm
possible to foresee what the campaign will
be like, in circumstances so singular; bu
we may remember, while awaiting news
that the military reputation of the South
such as it is, has been gained in field
where there was no honor to win; and tina
the Southern yaunt is of the bravery, ant
not of the discipline, Of the so-called ehiy
airy.