Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-15
The Military AppOIntments-Gov. Camp.

Col. J. II MCMAHON, the veteran and gallant
editor of h Memphis Bulletin in letter to his pa
Ter from this city, under date of the Sth instant says
OF the military appointments by Gov. HAERIs:
As regards the main appointments of command
ers. do not hesitate to say that very few months
perhaps very few weeks will elapse, before every
one will applaud the wisdom of the choice which
has been made. As have heretofore said editorial
ly, it is to e far reaching military sagaciiy. IN
dOmitable energy and patriotic ardor OF Gen Pillow.
that we owe whatever of sense OF safety we may
now feel from the nroads of the cruelty fanatIcal
enemy lowering around Our northern frontier. The
pre- eminent fitness Of this appointment, as senior
MAJOR General, can admit of no criticism or cavll
from any one who looks to the qualities of a capable
commander in a crisis like this, instead of to mere
personal partialties The second in command, Major
General Anderson, is happy combination, in the
somewhat divided responsibility which his high
rank imparts to HIM. Cool cautious, deliberatlve,
yet firm as the rock and capable of intense enthus
asm OF action, the fathers of the gallant sons of
Tennessee may feel assured that whenever they
led to battle by Pillow and Anderson. every step
VIII have been taken 10 secure a glorious victory
mat profound military judgment may suggest, or
uutlInching yalOr execute.
IN this connection it is but lust to all conCe rned
mat your readers and the public at large should
kno" mat high command should not widely
il Were lOsay that the highest was within his
graSPCHas urged upon that favOrite of large p0r>
Canpoeil and declined by him, from an over modest
appreciation OF his own abilities | happen to know
mat NOT nay the position of Junior Major General
was li'inNy ahu earnestly rendered to him by Gov
Harris, but that Gen. Pillow with the IovoI marriott
ism OF true soldier. would have taken service nm
der him. II he could have accented tho cLiof en-,
msnu. We happen TO know. also that Gen Car,n
bell concurred heartily and cordially in the cboi
OF zen fllIoW as the very best that could be made
in the State and that he hear tilv concurs in tho ~
nFlPtV OF AnDOlQtmpnfp al hss e.. Z
Colonel of the Mexican war TO the second in com
mand. As It may somewhat interest a MN n, "a
volunteers now rallying around the standard cf
Tennessee in this her hour Of peril, violate mi
vate correspondence so far TO give the following
extract from letter written by Gov G. to a frien5
as early as the first of Nay, in which he said then
as when the appointment was pressed on him
81 must say to you that will not ACCEPT any
position for which am satisfied that am no, ftll
and properly qualified 1t will require in this great
emergency OF our State, higher abilities than pos
sess to command her armies and to WELD her bri-
gades and divisions. may enter the service Of my
State, but it Will be in su coordinate capacity. My
business and the condition of my family forbid me
leaving home Immediately. Our State will need
the services of all her and mine shall be with
her in that capacity in which think | can serve
best. want no place position in civil life, and
can glEe my person at any moment as soldier,
when shall be needed
have dvelt thus long on this matter, for that
we have all so recently emerged from the low
purlegs of political partizsnshpup unto that loftIer
and hoher atmosphere OF patriotism IN which all
hearts are inspired to
'Strike till the last arlaei foe expires
Strike! for sltars and our fres--
Strike Tor the green graves Of sires--
Con and our natiFe land
that without knowledge of the facts have stated.
sope might suppose other reasons operated to pre-
TeRt their following the standard of their favorite
esder. Than this, there could not be greater mis-
take; and while cannot but regret that an cid and
tried comrade on other fields than chose Of his more
recent glory, should thus unGera;e himself. / am
glad that 1t has made me better know and appre
ciate those with whom have heretofore been poll.
ticsly opposed