New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-02
LOOK AT THE SOLDIERS.
Prom Our Own Correspondent.


to four thousand men, with many more uni
formed companies drilling constantly, and liable
TO be called upon any moment--the coBceEtra-
ton into, and the holding Of nearly everything
else subseryient to the warlike idea give to this
city highly military appearance. You cannot
90 into the street without seeing SOME Of the
many appointments Of war. You cannot turn the
corner without meeting roldiers. You may at
almost any hour Of the day see a military COM
pany marching through the streets, going to or
returning from duty at the forts in the harbor
or at the batteries. Nearly every afternoon
there is drsgoon drill on the Citadel green
where heavy guns and the Cadets are objects Of
interest sufficient to attract the attention Of
crowds Of idle lookers-on, who seem never to
weary in contemplating the huge engines OF war.
] should despair of description of the many
styles of soldiers. No two companies are alike,
either in their uniforms or drill. As whole,
they unquestiounby combine material for line
arny. 1t i evident, however, that they lack
high discipline though this il in good measure
supplied by the dash aud daring of which they
all 80 much boast, and are unqUestionably fully
capable of proving, should opportunity offer.
cannot help thinking, however, that on the feld,
or in any serious engagement, the superiority OF
TIE severe discipline and trustgOrthiness OF the
regulqr army over this volunteer system would
sufficiently prove itself. Now you may see
"crack corps" with neat uniform, march
ing well but much in the style Of the drill
room. They represent Cardinals best blood
the responsibility and wealth Of the first families
Their muster roll gives us 10 understand that the
old Huguenot families are not yet extinct. They
go payly 10 the wars soft hands are kissed nj the
parting, and thousand aud one little comforts
remind them Of home while around the camp
fres. Now again, yOu may sce n COMPANY
composed Of quite another sort of men
with sturdy forms, and less aristocratic uniform
ard appointments. They are mostly fremen
They march out elegantly but firmly, and have
q sort Of air which everywhere in our country is
inseparablc from the jealous fireman. They at
once remind you Of the " machine" They are
iolly-many Of them little sprung'-aud have
20 many leaye-takirgs with the "boys" that they
start off with but little Of the martial air. OF
course, they have the rcsoundng music from
"fll bands" Of largeft number Of instruments.
Their old habits a. fremen will not suffer them
10 march 10 the mere " ear-piercing fife" and
kettle. drum; for fremen everywhere and always
will have tho Ioua,st sUuudlDR II not the best
music. l doubt not they would prove ugly Gus.
toners in . close fight Here We have n German
compauy-stoGd, siih and machinelikc. The men
are Of all nights and sizes. They fy to march
A istLt lt.srs .ulI p.fI l..
unwilling TO fight hard, but evidently they have
but little notion Of what its Likely to be- about
apart from the single military idea.
Here, again, is q company from the country.
Their ranks are more than full. Indeed, they
could not receive all that offered and 80 another
of TIE same sort VIII follow-perhaps half dozen
Of them. They have not stopped 10 bedeck them.
selves in gay or expensive uniforms; though os
TO the expense they are quite u able as any to
bear it; for within their ranks you will find
planters md proprietOrs and tho sons Thereof,
with countless negroes on Thousands Of acres.
The red shirt, the coarse blouse, the cheap but
comfortable cap, the squatty hot, and the ample
blanket strapped over the shoulder, nearly com.
plete the inventory Of their gear, barring tle
musket which they know well how to use. They
do not march with any degree Of elegance, and
with difficulty many Of them manage to keep step
to the music Of the drum and fife. They ore in
earnest, and fully believe in it, They are
ready for any sort Of hard work, aud are quite
likely to be graf fed in that respect, in buildiug
sand batteries md digging trenches. Their mp
pearaIce seems well 10 remind one Of MAR.
ions men who dined sumptuously every day on
sweet potatoes in the sWamps. Now here we
have wbat you will find everywhere, when there
is fight in prospect-the Irish Company. They
are little less than regiment. They have tie
pluck, no doubt Of il. Evidently they are favor
ties with great many, for they are cheered
They the boys who think they are going to take
Fort Sumter and think that if il were possible
for an equal number Of men 10 do il they could
A short time since, when their captain aud some
OF biz under Offcers waited on Gov. Pickens t.
volunteer for that hazardous enterprise, and when
his ExceNency accepted their services In some
what lengthy and barney speech, the lnconic Cap.
tain's reply was simply, docs your Excellency
wish the fort taken tonight I" Whatever their
destination, they 90 Of with soldierly bearing
Go with me to Citadel Green about 4 p. m, and
if the weather is fine, as it is this afternoon, i
will show you o company Of mounted dragoons--
perhaps two You will perceive that almost without
an exception they are good riders, and generally
are mounted on fine horses. Horses and riders
take to the exercises with relish. Their eyo-
buttons are quite creditablc, aud the two full
having something Of pOmp md parade |