Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-27


called conservatism 20 him.
Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.
Expression of Popular Opinion-Lnertia ,corss
than Defsat-G General BaeH Not Respon-
sibie-7he. 4doagcs Force on the Banks of
Green Rirsr-Briidgs Building-Rupsorl
Abolst Governor Aorten-Capt. Prime and
I HToT Hslgefi Heard Frons-Sc., Sc.
LOUISVILLE, Dec. Is, 1861
Your editorial in yesterdays Commercial
upon the deplorable want of energy in the
management Of eur military affairs, reflects
exactly the sentiments of the loyal portion
of this community. An inexpressible dis
gust with the incompetent sluggishness of
the war policy that seems to be adopted by
the central authorities AT Washington, fills
every patriotic heart No defeat, however,
disastrous, could have as baneful an effect
upon the cause of the Union as the con-
hnued lethsrgy to which the vast Federal
armies have been condemned on the Poto-
mac, as well as in this State and the valley
of the Mississippi. The truth is, that, at
least as far as the troops in this State are
concerned, the protraetion of idle camp life
adds but little to the efficiency of the men.
Owing to the shortness of these winter DAYS.
and the heavy picket and guard duties, only
a brief time can be devoted to drilling. Ii
cannot PROFESSIONALLY expected, furthermore,
that our volunteers should be brought up to
the European standard Of soldiers. They
may be drilled ever SO long, and viii yet fall
short Of the European model, and this SIM
ply because nine out of ten of the volunteer
officers do not understand their business.
They cannot possibly impart 10 others what
they do not know themselves This irrem-
edia6le deficiency in drill all discipline can
be only made up by nourishing in our sol
diers spirit of enthusiasm, self-confdence
and reliance upon the righteousness and in
yincibility of the cause for which they are
In arms. Nothing is, however, more apt to
demoralize the Union volunteers than the
continued inactivity that has characterized
the Federal strategy. Whatever martial an
linus they may have had is gradually dying
out under the influence Of their present le-
thargic condition. We have neither the
time nor the means for slowly developing
good soldiers on the drill ground.
We should remember, however, that the
very best warriors are made on the battle.
held. The smell OF powder and whistle OF
bullets will make brave lighters out of our
raw recruits sooner than months OF imper-
feet drilling, parades and reviews Our
enemies are better disciplined than our
selves. We excel them in numbers We
have better cause. We claim as much
courage. Why not, then, go at them
Just and timely as your criticism of the
inexplicable strategy OF our generals, ii
should not be extended to the commander
of the Department Of the Ohio. Gen. Bu-
ell, it viii be remembered, Is the third COM
mander of the Federal forces in this State
In the course OF three months. During the
few weeks he has had command, the ar
rangement Of the chaotic legacy Of his two
predecessors was alone about as much as he
could accomplish He can Furthermore not
act independently of the Commander-in-
Chief OF all the United States armies He
cannot move an inch toward Nashville with
out the appreciation of the latter, and hence
should not be made to feel the impatienee of
the public. -
The ferment OF excitement in which yonr
readers have undoubtedly been kept for
several days in consequence of tke repeat
edly reported aggressive movement of the
Federal advance forces on Green River is
entirely unwarranted. All that has occurred
on the line Of the Nashville road during the
last week is simply this: the burning of
the Bacon Greek bridge, coupled with the
fact, that the preliminary arrangements for
the rebuilding Of the long structure across
Green River, blown up by the. rebels about
two months since, completed, and The
work OF reconstruction could commence. in
duced Gen. Buell. TO order Gen. McCook's
consisting of four brigsdes under
Gems. Rousseau, Johnston, Wood and Neg
ley, to advance from Camp Nevin TO Bacon
Creek, and extend his lines to the banks of
Green River. The object of the forward
movement was the protection of the labor
ers to be engaged in repairing the two
bridges already mentioned and nothing fur
Their. 1tcoyered just eight miles I'M
derstood that the advance guard thrown, {or-
ward to the banks Of Green River, consist.
ed Of a whole brigade. under Gen. john
ston. The telegraphic account this morn
ing, of the skirmish between four compa-'
mics of Col. Willich's regiment and twenty
four hundred rebels, does not state whether
the affair took place ON the nArth or south
bank OF the river. Il is not improbable
however, that it occurred on the latter The
attacking party doubtlessly came up from
Cave City, where large rebel force is
known TO have been. stationed for some
days. The outpost advance is Just the
proper place for Col Willieks splendid
command. y
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