Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-11-27
Confederate Appointments.

triotc, the impossibility of his knouinq all his an.
polntees and the consequent necessity of relying
upon others, often interested parties, for know
ledge of the character and qualifications of app.
cants for office, renders it absolutely impossible to
avoid blunders in making them. .r-..-sa'
We believe as general rule President Davis has
been fortunate in his appointments He may have
bundered, especially, in bestowing military appoint
ments upon civilians heretofore because of the diff
fculty OF determining in advance the qualifications
of men for certain positions before they hare been
tried; but of this we have said nothing, because
IN those few instances which have struck US as in
appropriate or unfit, We were not in possession of
sufficient information to express opinion.
We need not here repeat what we have so often
said our unalterable devotion to the Southern Con-
federacy, because it presents the only tangible hope
left upon this continent for the preservation of
constitutional liberty and government of the
people. No man in the Confederacy has higher
claims upon our confidence and support, as the man
for the times in the Presidential chair, than efer
son Davis. Yet our sense of duty to the people of
the South, and especially to the people of North
Carolina, will not allow to fail to disapprove of
and condemn any measure appointment made by
him or the authorities of this State, which puts at
hazard and eminenty eopards the vital inter-
ests of North Carolina, especially during this war
We had heard it rulnorNd before our last issue
that the Hon. L. OBJ. Branch of this city, had been
appointed by President Davis Brigadicr General
in the Confederate army; and although we had re-
ceived it from responsible source, yet such an ap
pointment struck us as being so incredible, we could
not bring ourselves fully to believe it. until we saw
the following announcement in the last Raleigh
Register:
"PEoMoTIoSs-Wc are gratified to learn that
Co'ones d. h. McRae, George 3. Anderson, and
L. OBJ. Branch have been promoted by the Presi-
dent to the rank of Brigadicr Generals. Should
the opportunity Offer predict that each of these
| gentlemen will demonstrate the fitness of these
| appointments"
We will not question the sincerity Of our cotcm-
porary in the above endorsement of all of the above
appointments 1t may be correct in its prediction
that leach Of these gentlemen will demonstrate
the fitness Of these appointments" and we sincere
ly hope its predictions may be verified. But with
the lights before us are compelled to differ with
it. in respect to at least, of those appointments.
|
antecedents as well as his recent reputation, give
him note young officer of high promise Col.
| McRae, although with but few months military
training is a man of genius, and we should judge
has some of the points of military man. His
tlunders as political leader will not disqualify him,
necessarily, military leader. At events both
Of these gentlemen have been under the eye OF Gems.
Johnston and Beauregard for some months, and we
presume their appointments meet their appreciation
| "A high compliment-and VIC therefore, if this be
So cordially acquiesce, all will, in their promo
ton.
But we are conscientously bound to except to
the appointment of Col. Branch, as Brgadier Cen
eral, especially, If it be true hear that he su
persedes Gen. Hill, in command Of the Northern De.
partment of our sca-coast. In what we shall say
about Col. Branch shall do him full justice. 1t
is an unpleasant task because we La say something
which may unwttingy afflict some for whom we
entertain high regard but we shall avoid what is
unnecessary to the fulilment of our duty as pub
lie journalist, and yet be true to North Carolina.
We urged no objection to his appointment as
Colonel in the State troops by Gov. Clark, although
we knew there many others in the State who
had stronger claims than Mr.. Branch, because of
their superior military knowledge and Abilities and
because we we're anxious to see him and all others
who claim to have taken any special part in bring
ing on the war; fully in the fight i e. !'-
But we object to Col. Branch's appointment as
Brgadier General in command of our coast dcences,
whether brought about by the recommendation Of
the State authorities, by the combination of po.
litical and family influences, whatever else for
the following reasons:
!. Col Branch is no military man, nor has he the
characteristics of mind to make one. His education
is wholly civil and political His pursuits have
been entirely of the same character. He has energy
and business taents-a plodding mind of medium
calibre, without genius, without great resources for
an emergency, without strategic skill. and without
administrative qualities as disciplinarian. He has
not even the prestige of having been officer OF
private in the militia, and is, perhaps, even now
incapable of thorough company drill, much less te
maneuvre battalion, regiment brigade
On the breaking out of the war he joined the Raleigh
Rifles and ignoring office avowed his purpose to &C
into the fight as priyate. Too busy or too averse
to the drill he appeared but in the ranks an6
then, at the summons of the sergeant. He was re
eved in day or two BY the appointment Of Quar-
termaser and Paymaster General of the State troops
by the famous Military Board. This Office he re
signed soon after that Board became defunct. AT
ter one or more unsuccessful efforts to secure thu
Colonelcy of of our volunteer regiments, he wal
relieved of his retirement to the shades Of private
life by Gov. Clark, who appointed him Colonel %
the 18th regiment of State troops, regiment pro
vided for some avorite by his party friends in th,
last Legislature. That regiment although fully
ofcered, has still but half its complement of men
What proficiency Col. Branch has made in militar,
knowledge between his superintendence of the caml
and his trips to Richmond within the last six weeks
we are unable to say,-but tits unreasonable 70 sup
pose it has qualified him to manage brigade, scat