Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-12-05
MILITARY RANK.

the principles by which cur fresI'
dent is governed in his appoint
ments of Generals; and also CT the
difference between what is called a
"full General and a "Major-Gene-
ral," and "Major-General of the
Provisional army" "The "Dis-
patch" replies
"In regard to the principles
(which govern the President IN
lconferring rank and making pro
motions, we of course can say but
little. It must be remembered
that after passing the grade of
Colonel, promotion does net so by
seniority. Upon the President is
conferred an absolute discretion III
respect to the commissioning OF
general officers; subject only to the
ratification of Congress. This
feature is not peculiar to the Con-
Iiederate service, bat belongs to
that Of the Federal army, ard OF
lcourse obtains throughout the mil
itary establishments Of Europe.--
1T is a feature that cannot be
changed, and is absolutely neces-
sary to the. harmony and efficiency
of the service and 10 the ends OF
subordination and discipline. If
Congress were entrusted with this
power. the baneful influence OF
politics would take possession of
the army and utterly demorahze
the service.
The whole subject Of promotion
is, therefore, wisely left at the dis
Icretion of the President; and we
feel bound to say, SO far as we can
perceive, the discretion has not
been abused. There may be
room, here and there, for criticism,
and probably mistakes, which are
unavoidable by all men, may have
been committed; but we see moth
ing to impeach a sound, just and
patriotic intention on the part OF
the Executive.
When mention is made Of COM
missions in the "Proyisional Army"
Iof the Confederate States, the
meaning is that the commissions
are not permanent as If IN the reg
ular military service OF the Con
federacy, but are to cease at the
termination of the war The Pro
visional Army is raised to meet
the exigency of the war, and is
not permanent establishment OF
the Government. Commissions IN
the Provisional Army Of the Con
federate States are TO be consider
led in contradistinction to commits
sions emanating from the States
individually. For instance, we be-
lieve Gen. Pillow holds a commits
sion as Major General from the
/ State of Tennessee, while General
Polk holds one of the same tenor
from the Confederate States.
/ In full appointed armies, we
suppose that the order OF rank, be-
ginning at the highest grades, is rs
follows: General, Lieutenant-Gen-
eral Major-General, Brigadier-
General, Colonel, Leutenant-Coio-
mel, Major, Captain, SC. We be-
lieve in the army Of the Confede-
tracy there is no such rank as Lieu
tenant General; and that next af-
ter full General comes Major-Gene-
raj. Whether the rank CT Lieu
/ tepant-General is unknown iii our
/ law or not, it is certain that no
officer in the Confederate army
holds that commission. All the
rest Of the grades here enumera-
ted, however, are represented III
the Confederate army. We sup
rose the full General in the Con-
federate service corresponds with
the Field-Marshal Of France, the
Iieutenant-General in the Federal
service, and the rank usually held
bv commanders Of divisions opera
ting independently in the field, In
all the European services.
/ There are five full Generals In
the Confederate army, whose reia-
tive rank, as among themselves, IS
as follows: l, cooper; 2, A. SID
ney Johnston; 81 Robert L. Lee;
4, Joseph E. Johnson; 5, 6: /.
}, Beauregard. What principles
governed the President in thus ar