Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-15
For the Standard.


NECESSITY FOR COMPETENT OFFICERS.
MR. EDTOR:-I was greatly pleased at some re-
marks in your last paper about the appointment Of
officers-suggesting that none be appointed but
those entirely competent This is the true policy.
In time like this, none that are not thoroughly
qualified should desire to hold Office And if SUCH
desire it they should not be gratifed The ra'hness
and lack OF judgment in Gen. Gates, in the Revou-
tonary war cost us the dreadful defeat at Camden.
On the other hand the rigilance caution and pru-
dence, and skiful manevering Of Gen. Greene, sa-
we'd our little army at time when we were not able
to meet the enemy. The vigilance and good man
agement Of Washington gained the victories of Treu
ton and Princeton. 1t these qualities that made
Marion so successful in S. c., at one time, prudent
" avoiding battle when he was not strong enough,
at another issuing out of the swamps aud falling
upon them when favorable opportunity offered
Braddock's despising prudent counsels caused his
death and defeat at Fort DuQuesne. The Roman
Fabius by his delays and caution conquered hannl-
bal Ills comrade, who commanded with him was
rash and precpitate, and was dIsastrousy defeated
The overwhelming defeat Of the British at New Or
leans was partly owing to their own blunders.
have seen it stated in one of the histories of that
event that on the morning of the attack they held
counsel of war but they were divided, some Tor the
attack others against it. and some feeling manifest
ed Then the ground on which they had to advance
to the American lines was muddy and slippery
!
inspires confidence in themselves, and this is great
advantage When a man thinks he do thing
he is much more apt to do it than when he thinks
he can't We see how this operated on Caesars SOL
diers. Some times, when they were faltering in
battle and the enemy was pressing hard upon them,
Caesar would suddenly throw himself among them
snatchng up standard and calling on them to adj
vance, when they would press forward with redou-
bled energy and gain the victory. On one OCCASION
when he was about to attack the enemy, reports
were brought TO his camp Of the numbers and i'm
mense statue, and ierceness of the enemy which
caused great fear throughout his army. But by ad-
dressing them few words, and showing his self
confidence and resolution he oyercame their fears
and they advanced boldly against the enemy. While
the British held possession of Savannah, our army
appeared before it and summoned it to surrender,
our commander imprudeRtly granting them tuenty-
four hours in which to make up their minds. In
the meantime they set resolutely to work strength
ening .heir position, and during the time, they re-
ceiyed large reinforcements which enabled them to
repulse Here was q great blunder. At the
battle Of Buena Vista, where such immense odds
were against us, owing to some management one
whole regiment was thrown out of action. And it
was the confidence in old lack and their officers,
that enabled them to gain that battle.
mention these things to show the importance of
having good officers. The fate of the whole coun-
try may depend on one man sometimes.
/ heard Volunteer say the other day, that he
strict and rigid they were and that he had rather be
under an officer that he might personally dislike, if
ne was good officer Horny, in his life Of Marion,