The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-04-23
Uhe 9atlg gomrual,
Ou1ats for War Service.

War is business. All the tinseI vanishes
at the first touch of active service. Theu
the only question as to uniform is what will
best stand hard service, and best protect the
men in all kinds of weather. 1t is sufficient
FOR the purpose of mere show, that the dress
shall be uniform and when it is 30, and is
substantial and comfortable, it can hardly
be improved By gilt-lace or gaudy colors.
Our men who leave this city for the war,
should every one of them have substan-
tail and comfortable outfit for the campaign,
and it is our impression that the city gov
erument should establish a military depart
ment Of its own for this purpose. It has
money and can act promptly, and if it is de-
sired, the State or Federal Government will
refund this expenditure.
In Government made up as onrs is, of
local Governments, having nearly the
whole control of their affairs, it is incum-
bent on the local Governments to take the
initiative. 1t ls not like centralized heredi-
tary Governments, where the wars are made
by princes, merely to satisfy military am
bition, or for some quarrel of dynasties, of
no real interest to the people; but this is
war undertaken by the people to sustain
their Government; and it is proper and ac-
cOrding to the nature Of our institutions
that the movement should be carried on, as
well By the primary assemblies and local
Governments of the people, as By the FEEDER
al authorities.
The men who leave Cincinnati for the
war are the sons of the city, and the city
should see that they are treated with pater-
nal care. The first provision required is
good outfit. The result of the experience
of the War Department is probably as good
a guide in regard to uniform as can be had
though, we doubt if the early American
prejudice in favor of blue is net at the loss
of durability in the color. The blue panta-
looms fade badly in hard service. Proba-
bly, the best uniform for economy. slurabili-
ty, and for preserving its appearance
against all weather, wear aud dirt, is the
gray. Our State troops follow rigidly the
United States uniform-dark blue coat and
light blue pantaIoons. That is probably
the best of any of the colors worn by the
armies of the great powers, except the
Russian, whose uniform is dark gray, and it
was generally approved by the English
officers in the Crimea.
A soldier should carry on his back the
outfit for a campaign. This he can easily
do. Of course the luxury of clean shirts is
foregone when troops are On q war footing,
and it would be best to dispense with white
shirts and collars altogether from the start.
A couple of colored wooden shirts would
answef for the season, with an occasional
washing ont and changing on the bushes
when resting in camp; for of course every
thorough soldier can wash his own clothes,
aud dress and cook his own victuals, and is
supposed to have a genius for foraging, and
providing things to make himself comfort
able and duly thankful
Brogans are better than thin boots for the
mi arch and for fiOhfi0H arnnf-aOlod hr0.
gan can be adjusted so as to save the feet
from CALLING, much better than a heavy
boot, and causes much less inconvenience
when thoroughly wet With pair Of these,
two wooleH shirts, two pairs of woolsn
drawers, stout socks, fatigue jacket, vest,
pantaloons of the present easy style, mill
tary cap, d loose army overcoat, and a
blanket, soldier, after he had been season.
ed by fortnight's exposure, wonld be able
to go through the whole season comforta-
bly, and he would soon find that he could
sleep on the ground in the open air, with
out inconvenience. These he can carry on
the march, and have room for several days
provisions in his knapsack besides.
The Government furnishes its soldiers
frockcost in addition to these, but it is
doubtful if this wonld he worth carrying,
on a campaign.
The sons of Cincinnati should have this
outfit when they leave this city, and this
city should not wait for anybody else to
provide it. There is no place In the country
where these suits can be made 80 economi-
caIly and expeditiously as here. Contracts
could be made at once for turning out sew
eral thousand of fthem il a week. We doubt
if the patriotic spirit which is now so exu-
bersnt in this city, can be directed in any
way that will be 80 encouraging to the
young men who are offering their lives to
their country, as this provision, or that will
be more useful to them. 1t will do much
for the preservation of their health, and the
Cincinnati uniform will be a substantial
mark that our city regards them as its sons
- Csn. Gazette.