Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-09
GENERALSHIP IN AMERICA.
From the London Globe

From the London Globe
So far, the intelligence from America con-
firms the view We have ventured to take, that
Mr.. Davis and Gen. Beauregard will stand on
the defensive From the moment when the
North sent hosts of men to Washington, un-
trained, undrilled, insubordinate though they
were, the leading men of the South gave up
any idea they may have entertained of storm
ing the capital. Accustomed for many years
to command the assistance of the Democrats of
the North whose subserviency to southern die
tstion was rewarded by share of the plunder,
Mr.. Davis entertained the project of possessing
himself of Washington. Disappointed by the
rising of the North, he changed his tactics
at once, and resolved to defend the territory
of the newly-organized Government. Time,
under these circumstances, was everything
to him. His soldiers, like those of President
Lincoln, were un6rilled, half armed improv-
ident levies. But as a soldier, he knew that
these levies would be as good as better men in
strong position. As he did not attack the
Union troops the Union troops, he judged,
knowing the bOastful temper of the North,
would be urged to attack him, and give him
the advantage he sought. The northern parts
of Eastern Virginia abound in strong positions,
ana with sure eye General Besuregsrd fixed
on the line of hills covering the Manassas
junction. The event justified the judgment
Of the sstute SOutherner, and he has reaped
lIOm Iuc uolodt VI u6peIdl mcD0Wel all the
advantages he contemplated. The Northern
forces have been compelled to retire within
their lines at all points. n
The burning of Hampton is a painful proof
Of the Muscovite spirit in which the South ia
carrying on the war. The cautious advance of
the COnfederates is no proof that they intend
offensive operations. The nearer they stand
to Washington the better for them. They gain
thereby the enormous political advantage of
c0varinO tha nh hos L. "A
independent, and they take the best precau.
tions in their power to protract the struggle;
for every day Of successful resistance must
serve to consolidate the new Government and
fsmiliarise the Northern States with its ex-
istence.
Although fortune in this campaign has been
hitherto on the side of the South, their cause
Is far from being secure. The larger number
OF small victories have been won by the North
In all the combats that have occurred the best
general has been triumphant. Lyon, Siegel,
Mcclellan, with troops of the same stuff as
those engaged at Manassas, have defeated their
opponents. Mcdowell was inferior to Beaure-
gard, and failed before him. The new leader,
Mcclellan, is of different stamp. He has
shown his mettle. Every order he issues, every
measure he adopts, proves that he is real
soldier. His advent in the camp before Wash
ington has been marked by great and sautary
changes. The troops will probably be drilled;
the camp, the men, and their arms kept clean;
insubordinatien will be put down; drunken
ness will meet appropriate punishment, and
incompetent officers will be partially weeded
out. 1t is, therefore, possible that General
Mcclellan, IT properly supported by President
Lincoln, may be able to convert the material
supplied to him into a tolerabls army within
two or three months, and thus be able in " the
fall to renew an offensive campaign.
The defeat and disgrace of Bull Run renders
1t impossible for the North to negotiate before
they have tried once more the hazards of war
fare. On the other hand, there is still a foolish
reliance in the North upon mere numbers; as
If, In war, 100, 900 men were of any value com.
pared with $4,000 soldiers. The Federalists
have not yet learned that campaigns are not
elections, and that battles are not like caucuses
wherein the party numerically the stronger i:
inevitably the victor. The future of the con.
test depends upon these two things: whether
Mcclellan or Beauregard WILL in two months
succeed in training and organizing the better
army; and whether Mcclellan or Beaurepard
is the better general. The worth of the mill.
tary art to q nation, and Of the true military
spirit in nation, was never demonstrated
more conclusiyely than in this American CON.
test; and it cannot be too often repeated that
our volunteers should take the lesson read tc
them deeply to heart, and that the whole
empire should profit by the example theil
kinsmen have set them Of what to avoid