Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-11
For the Standard.
SECOND REGIMENT STATE TROOPS.

SECOND nEUlMENl SlhlE lhUOfO.
Mr. HoLpES:-Below will be found an extract
from letter, received from private in the End
Regiment, N c. State Troops-or as it is called by
the other North-Carolina Regiments-the Harm
less Second" The extract copied below contains
some grevous complaints and we fear are too true,
not only in regard to the Second, but in other Rcg
ments, where appointments have been made contra
ry to military law and usage, for the gratfca
ton of some petty politician, or some aristocratic
family claims Why 1t is that appointed
to positions of responsibility, those who do not
want them, and in violation Of the army regulations
is somewhat unaccountable.
The complaints set forth in the following extract
ought to be rcmedied. Our soldiers majority of
Them the peers Of the Colonel OF the 2nd any
other Regiment, and the attempt to reduce them to
level with the regulars of the old U. S. army is an
outrage, and one that will not be submitted to-
Whether the blame rests with the Colonel or those
above him in authority, do not pretend to say;
but there is one thing with which the Colonel is GER
tainly chargeable and that is the illegal appoint
men!s referred to- lie has shown himself either ig
norant Of the regulations of the army, and military
usage, or has Intentionally violated known regula-
ton. How man, not member of the Regiment
could have received the appointment of Adjutant,
when the army regulations expressly state that the
appointment shall he made from the Regiment, is
somewhat unaccountable.
Ifthis kind of patriotism is persisted in, and merit
among our private soldiers disregarded, fear it will
have disastrous effect and all attempts to appoint
incompetent officers, such as ballroom tops, and
onehorsc politicians, should be frowned down by
an indignant people, if those in authority have not
the nerve to remedy the evil.
The following is the extract referred to.
Yours, &c, a CITIZEN.
"Our regiment constitutes part of Gen. Holmes
LII in thn fv off no nf
AQUA creek, so posted to act as river guard as
we'll as a support to the batteries, should any at
tempt at invasion be made in that quarter. Now
and then, we are buoyed up with hope that we
may have chance to meet our foes, when ordered
to hold ourselves in readiness to march at mo-
ments notice. consequent upon an attack on the
batteries. These orders, however, have begun to
attract little or no interest account of their fire.
quency as we'll as insignifcance When Yankee
war vessels pass up down the river they some
times exchange compliments with the batteries,
with no result generally on either side, and then
proceed on their way. Last week, there was every
appearance of an intended attempt to land troops at
the creek. War-vessels in considerable numbers,
filled with troops, anchored opposite the batteries,
in the river Orders were sent to US all to be on
the alert, and proceed instantly to the creek, on
hearing the signal gun; reinforcements in consider
able numbers were sent to us from headquarters,
and every preparation on our part made for fight,
but after a stay Of day or so, the feet left and
frustrated our hopes.
Our regiment is not, by far, the ablest command
ed or the best contented IN the service Much dis
satisfaction exists, and more than one officer and
his company have been deceived in the commander
of the regiment. Let me not be misunderstood. l
am not grumbler, and would not under any COLI
sideration do injustice to any man, but believing
that the truth plainly spoken may exert better
influence than to hide it, would fain do so. Per-
haps the most just and prevailing complaint is
grounded on the fact that under a mistaken idea
that the troops designated Estate Troops" are
Regulars too great degree of discipline, similar in
character to that exacted of the prvates of the old
u S. Army, is attempted to be enforced. There is
a vast difference in the composition of these two
branches of the service, forwhile the Regulars as
every one knows generally composed of the off.
scourings of creation, without honor or character,
and who simply play the part Of the soldier for the
remuneration it bears-the other, (State Troops,)
are composed of the same element as the volunteer
forces of men of honor, worth and good standing
at home, who have become soldiers only because
their government needed them, and the preserva-
ton Of their institutions and sacred rights demand
ed the sacrifice. Hence, an attempt to class them
as regulars is entirely wrong, and will result in no
good, as demonstrated in this regiment You can
perceive it in the want of enthusiasm and spirit
pervading the men; the sullenness they exhibit in
their motions the dislike they openly and fearless
~ entertain for their chief and the dissatisfaction
and discomfort apparent throughout the camp,
among large majority Of the pr1vates and if the
| truth must out among the officers also. Now,
do not think that oppose strict discipline. Pri-
vate as am, am in favor Of discipline of the
strictest military kind, in the ranks. Without it.
i. would be better to lay down our arms and 20
home; but discipline that prevents college mates
from associating with each otherthat denies famil
iarity with blood reations-that drives . father to
! treat his son with indiferenee-that preyents6n