The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1861-09-14
BATTLE Or OAK NILLS--rSEYYICiHNCf "
OFFICERS

map II the baille Of Oak ILLS. with concise
esplanaiion Of the positions and mosemeaa' OF
the two atialcs. We have ako seen map OF
tjr battle sent bg Mr.J. y. Coleman OF this
place. to his brother, The general oailaes OF
which sgrce with that given b the Appeal.
The details of Tic movements a the troops arc
given much more minvtely bJ Mr Coleman, and
,ieaceount ia much more iulland satisfactory than
ans other wa have seen. We regret tha, there
i ne one 10 Marshall to whom We can empty 10
make o. a chi q. this map, rs sc are satisfied
cor readers you'd Ike to zee Il.
A.; accoun.s agree IN the statement, that the
Cena dara,o troops hal made 10 preparations,
and were In 10 condition for an attack They
wefe IN valley, occupying bosh sides Of WIZ
soma Crgo., sod the tneuy app ard on the
surrounding Lil., the Ont iai.ma,ion o. their
presence, being Acsaliei ny the Gar Of 1hen
cannon It wasa nest comr.sle ani eNtfaof'
sary surprise Of saich no explanation has
vet bes.n given. Whcn We look al The position
Of the tw aytnies, oat success seca- s'most NJ
cfedlNe. We can scarcely realize Low = was
that the Coaleiefales were able 10 MAINTAIN
their ground much less nav. 1eiPsle1 aud
driven ,Ae euemy trigmphan'ly suJ Nta IN
mease Slaughter beleFe tAsin iiisiety records
no such victory A. il nVpAF-, to'a the nc
counts given the l4aefeis exhibited admirable
geueralsAip ours none whategsr' md tie victory
was Que aione 20 I'll, indfBl'4hle sa.o. mi hero
ism II McCull1rb aud BIS men. We say Nc
Cail0oh f1r b. colIHaH.lef on eny battlefield
ever exhibited more e80laess aDd courage taaa
be dit in tina memorable engagement But
sl.ea this Is sid u liz reports Of the battle b.
correct anI Of course We must take them ~
given. be praises are 81 an end. 10 BIS 0wH Of
fcisl report he states that bis men bad but
teeniy aye rounds q pmwnaition. suj pei tAp
sp1f BY provided De ess husFyias on TO attack
Spf'nt'q.l "a psee tAsi be Ansi ...4se had ey'
ems etspn 20 5eiisye vas strongly fortified.
Whist follow. Is ii uecessasy cofollary u tl'se
acls. That Con NcCulloch Is g bg-se soldier
but incompetent % command large army
such II the conviction thal exists hare and We
presum. lie julNnant hss been iormci ese
shera. different conclusion may possibly be
i5faei spon explanation. bu! such i. tie con
giction now.
The campaign 10 Missouri s Of great import
nuee, second. II 4el ouly to tina, oi .rgInia.
II ugceas.ul, oar government Acquires control
Of tie extensive iron and lead mines Of that
State the la.1 ea'ion of the Mississippi aa1 the
power to hold in cheek he great Northwest
II unsuecesslal. We lo.e all these advantages the
hundred ,houssui troops which Missouri can
bring into ths f "a lea,luF an oseu road Coz the
iy.sion o tha extreme South. !. seems 60 uA.
, leielose. that this DIVISION VI our array sho4.i
be placed as early o. possible, under The eou.f9l
Of ss slle aul e6eitnl commander
Having dismissed Ibis branch Of The subject,
We come to an0tlcr-ihe appointments IN our
army We see. IN every State. men seeking
high military positions, who. We have every
reason To believe, are totally incompetent
Generals Who nfc uhG. f,r ,oioutls Colonies
wbo are Incapable oil drilling company slij
Captains Who have not sufficient Information for
L.eat.nan,s Such was the case dnting tue
revolutionary war, and the war II lsl2. Then
~ nos. mere politicians ,hfui themselves into
military positions and the result was that disaster
followed es a necessary consequence, until the
policy was changed We should learn wisdom
from our enemies. who have declared their IN
ton,ou 10 look alone hereafter, 10 qualification
10 the appointment. Of military officers. Ia our
opinion, every man WHO AspIfes to command
should Ia examined, and il found incompetent,
removed and one who il competent, placed ia his
stead. The success ol our armies, AMI the lises
au1 safety NJ auf meu, demand that such policy
should he adopted and adhered 10 rgidly.
Public opinion shonld find vuicc through the
ptees 70 insist upon It, When inangur,ied i
viii ensure victory on every battle field