The Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1861-1862, 1861-12-07
y. ~ -;
The Wn$ Power Of the Nation.

The nation has wcll-nigh passed through
the stage of military preparation, which, says
the Press, was the first great step necessary to
the accomplishment of the gigantic task Of
crushing the most formidable rebellion that was
ever organized. At the outset, confusion and
serious errors were unavoidable. A nation of
civilians, most of whom had not only ''ncvtr
| G! squadron in the field, but had lever sc II
a regiment of well-drilled soldiers, were to be
transformed into nation of warriors, and to
be under the direction of officers who from the
great number required; were necessarily COM
posed chiefly of men bit little better informed
in regard to military affairs than the volun-
tecrs under their command,
But we have now actually in.feld one ofthc
largest armies in the world, and large portion
of it is as well drilled, well equipped, and we'll
directed as the trained soldiers OF Europe.
Gen, Mcclellan is reported to have said, re-
Gently, that the poorest volunteer regiment in
the vicinity Of Washington is as well organ.
lied, in every respect, as the best voluLt>et
regiment engaged in the Mexican war. The
grand review of more than 10000 trools, on
the 2Oth inst, while it WIS one of the most
magnificent spcctacles ever witnessed on our
continent, only exhibited to the admiring spec
tasors portion of one of the grand division OF
our army. Many of the soldiers then in the
vicinity Of the capital were required to remain
at their USUAL posts, to guard against surprise
and to watch over their respective camps.
1t should be remembered that we have at
tbs moment an army def ,nding the Upper Pc-
tomac; an army, occupying the Peninsula OF
Virginia, an army stationed at Fortress Monroe
and its immediate vicinity; armies in Western
Virginia, under the command of Rnsccrans and
Reynolds; armies in Kentucky, under fhc'tom-
mand of Buel, Nelson and Schocpff; an srmt
ct Carlo, under the command of General Grants
an atiny in Missouri, under the command Of
General Hallock; an army in Kansas and Wcs-
tern Missouri, unact, the command of Gen.
Hunter; an army at Bcaufor,S. c. under the
command of General Sherman; ain army at
Fort Pickcns; and that many troop are station
ed at various military posts acattered through
the county. .g
The increase Of power Of tie haavy is almost
as marked as the increase of the army. The
rebels have already had many demonstrations
of its power in the capture of vessels which at
tempted te run the blockade; in the destruc-
sion Of their priSatccH; in iRc Seizure Of their
commissioners Mason and Sldell; in tlic
BomdardAcnt of their forts at lIatacras Inlet;
and recently in the glorious triumph of our
fleet at Beaufort These deeds, however, arc
but prcludcs to still more important demon
strations, and the traitors may well quail Will,
terrtr when they recollect that these are bnt
the commencement OF groata chievements with
which Stir navy is destined to distinguish it
SELF in the present cehttst; ,,5. ~.
While some MAY be disposed to complain
that mere has not already been accomplished,
those who consider how much energy, dctcrm-
ination, and zcaI have been displayed in the
fist great stage Of the existing war; in prcbair-
ing for the mighty task imposed upon the
country, will rejoice that 50 much has already
been done. Aid the time is doubtless closo
at hand when the results Of labor Of the lation
ap to this period viii present themselves in
the tangible shape Of a series ofmemorable trl-
umphs over the bold, bad men who have ar
taycd themselves in arms against their coun'
tfv. ,..5. r..r r.....r