The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-20
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
The General Sanford Oner-COmnAuni-
cations from Members OF the First
Division.


communications are very acrimonious; others sympa-
thsing what they the doage & that officer For
part have already expressed opinion, which
is based upon nitrate knowledge and from actual
experience in the division. We sorry, very sorry,
that General Sandord should have been horsghted
not anticipate the negative result of his cnmuni-
ton he be that in the line, rank and file OF
the division, there many Of most worthy and
intelligent citizens who, although ready and willing
contribute their personal services and means 10 carry
their constitutional obligations viii not be used as
the passive instrument TO carry out individual me
for obtaining notorety Before dsmissng the sub
ject take the liberty to state that the com nunca
tons published upon this subject represented to have
been signed the Seventh Regiment" either for
geres, or else the members who have written them
have forfeited their word Of honor, resolution was
passed by the regiment three years ago not to in
write about political internal matters leaving that
10 other hands.
We subjon n few Of the additional communications we
received this subject and dismiss the for
the present. prcsumng that in future the Major General
the First division will be careful issuing strate
getic documents.
MEETING OF TIE ELEVENTH REGIMENT BOARD OF
| OFFICERS.
At meeting of the Board of officers Of the Eleventh
regiment New York State Militia held at the Armory
Friday, the 18th day Of January, 1861 the following
solutions call Of the yeas and nays, unanimously
adopted
Resolved, That this Board deem the action of the D
vision Board in rendering the services Of the division to
the Governor &c. &c, presumptuous and unauthorized
inasmuch the members composing the different reg
mens have voted even been consulted on the
subject and further, that such action was wholly unne
cessary and uncaed for as the laws OF the United States
and of the State OF New York make ample provision for
calling out the militia when necessary.
Resolved That this regiment will ever hold itself in
readiness to maintain the laws when properly and legally
called upon
BY order Of the Board
HOMER BOsTwICK, President.
GEORGE A. RAYMOND, Secretary.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
SR-There having been several communications pub
ished relative to the above subject, yet of them
touching the exact spot would like to correct the al
sy Of Gen. Sandfords statement and dissec his whole
communication to the Governor. AS an officer of the
division, deny empnatcaly that the passage Of the
resolution rendering the services Of the division
unanimous but the contrary, met with the strongest
opposition by portion of the officers present, and Tor
several reasons-First, it considered nero bun
Commander. in Chief, he could command ut any mo
ment. AS well might private volunteer his services to
his captain to parade next Fourth of July, when he
knows his captain compel him. Second, the act OF
Gen sanford could not mplicate the rank and file,
whom he has control except for two annual paades
and whom neither he the Governor can take out OF
the State. i also assert that his next statement is
wilfully missatement for as Major General
October that the available of the division falls
short of five thousand men, He also displays inexcu
sable want Of knowedge-as Major Generaof the
Of the ununormed militia it is well known fact, which
every captain in the division will verify that not three
per cent OF the number enrolled appear and those
that do would put to bush aFalstafs army The very
Of enrolling them will convince the most skepti
cal that his statement to speak in the mdest terms is
perversioH Of facts The persons appointed by the Mar
shall call al every house and ascertain the names of all
the male occupantsregardess of age or exemptonand
the whole number Of names obtained sums up General
Sandfords eighty five thousand men. Is it not strange
that lawyer Of his astueness and of his social
standing should place himself in so ptabe positioR
position that subjects him TO the disrespect if not
tempt, Of all honorable menY He says he could detail
force in twenty -four hours To man the orcatons in the
harbor would ask him where he gets his authority?
Certainly not from the state law-to which | refer
himwhere his whole authority is confined to ordering
the division twice year. also assert-wthout fear
Ct contradiconhat there is not one per cent of the
rank and file or line officers, that viii endorse the action
Il the rcdoubtabe Major General In contributing to the
present political excitement by showing undue desire
appear in threatening attitude to our brethren Of the
south, though may think they misguided by the
controlling influence Of set OF irresponsible politicians
who appeal to their preudces and passions instead of
their reason and Judgment. will also that there
Is no law precedent which gives either the President
Governor the power To order an uniformed regiment
of the militia ont of the state Whenever our country
whole country may require the services Of the First
division, every man viii be ready for whatever duty may
be required Of him, If they have competent officer at
their head in whom they have confidence which regret
to say is not the case at present. SWORD KNOT
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
While we are praisng the efficiency of the First D-
vision of New York state Militia well to have the whole
truth. A knowledge of the of the musket is
thing, and ability il is quite another How few
studous, door militia have the least idea what
active service isS How many OF them could start in
double quick step from the arsenal the
Park, and have enough wind strength left to fight with
any effect The writer OF this has served the last five
years and is considered good soldier but his daily
in door occupation entirely units him for any continued
laborious exercise which equally the with thou
sands Of his fellow soldiers And there is another point
in the case Before recruit Is admitted to the United
4 searching
bodily examination by the army surgeon to guard against
to our citizen sodiery. Near sghtedncss deafness to
greater less degree and concealed complaints,
common that Major Generals estimate Of 5000 able
bodied men Is easily reducible to 5000 or less. The
writer speaks "by the card" in this matter; and his
pride which counscls him to keep quiet is ovcrruled by
his that when we lean the First d.
vision for all our active service lean of whom
IL may be said that "the spirit willing but the flesh
is weak" AS reliable and intelligent nucleus, around
which TO form tine working army, there could be none
better than our FIRST DIVISION.
TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.
Among the various objections which have been Justly
urged against the ostenatious procr Of the First d.
vision by General Sanford that which suggests his
want Of authority the subordinate Of the Governor
and consequent nsoent assumption Of power strikes
most orciby. This impression " rendered stronger by
the skeptcsm which prevails as to the Generals ability
to command the First division in time of war, as mill
tary coxcombry prancing seed, the bravery Of blue
and gold uniform and the sodierly "makc up" the
result Of the ingenuity of some artistic Broad
way tailor, are no indications Of practical skill
and efficiency in the military art. Indeed, the
scenic effect Of military demonstrations might be
impaired IN degree by the absence OF such a
tawdry figure but discipline aud it, nscparable adjunct
proper spirit Of subordinaton would be strongly pro
NOTED by its absence. The diseased appetite for
rety with which the General Is unfortunately afflicted
Is srikngy evidenced too, In tn tender alluded TO- and
this, combined with an exravagant spirit Of egotism,
prompted the presumptuous offer nqucstion. The large
accession to his vanity which he received the
sion of the late military demonstration in honor Of the
Prince OF Wales, Notwithstanding his "oli fogyishu
laundering on that occasion has contributed somewhat
10 this last seneless display OF his pride and ambition
Aside from all other considerations however II may be
regarded fixed fact, that communication on this
subject would be within any conceivable degree of com
parson acceptable 10 the First Division communi
from this doughty General rendering his resgna
tion. AN ACTIVE MEMBER
OF the First Division