Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-02
Conduct of the war.

Conduct of the War.
That there is a great lack of efficiency and
energy in the conduct of the war on the part of
the Federal Government, is admitted fact
The Administration has been promptly furnished
with all the men and money that have been re
qured, but as vet without accomplishing the re-
suits that the country had the right to expect
We have the Southern coast blockadcd, and all
Northern supplies cut off from them. vet the
rebels are prosecuting the war with great vigor,
and thus far with success The Louisville Jour
nal says that by private letter received in that
CITY on Friday last from Washington, it learns
that the aggregate Federal force on the Potomac
at present is two hundred and eighty thousand
What is this immense army doing? Is it not
more numerous and better appointed in every re-
spect than the opposing army? Is it not equally
as we'll disciplined and ready for the field? The
Cincinnati Commercial, with well directed sar-
casm, says in response, "with reinforcements at
the rate of three regiments day, and unlimited
supplies of the heaviest and best artillery, the
capital will be protected until the rebel army
wears out its shoes, and will be compelled by the
want of leather and shoe makers to return TO pri
vate life The civilians of Washington may
eat their oysters in peace" With splendid
army the ruling powers have permitted the rebel
forces to build strong Notifications in sight of
Washington, and line the Potomac with masked
batteries, until now it is announced that they
have effectually blockaded that stream, leaving
our army to be furnished all its supplies by sim
gle line of railroad, and that liable 10 be cut off
if the Confederates should make a-successful
movement upon Maryland. There seems to be
over caution on the part of our Generals when
they permit these operations of the enemy al
most with impunity.
And how is it at the West? Gen. Fremont
is assigned the command of the Western division
and he assumes it with grand flourish. With
out regard to cost he orders munitions of
almost indefinitely until he is amply supplied with
all the appliances for defensive and offensive ope
rations Instead of driving the invaders out of
Missouri, he employs himself in certifying st.
Louis with earth works at enormous cost, as
though the war was to be of long continuance
and that city stood in imminent danger of being
captured. If such Notifications necessary for
the protection of st. Louis is it not concession
by Gen. Fremont that the rebels are likely to
maintain their independence? He has built
bridge of boats TO Paducah, and the st. Louis
Democrat says another is to be made across the
Mississippi at that point.
The Cincinnati Commercial, in commenting up
on these operations, remarks:
We beg respectfully to inquire whether bridge
of boats across the Mississippi is considered
essential part of the Notifications of st. LouisY
1t there are any Developments of Gen. Fremont's
strategy that puzzles more than other things
connected with this world, they are his bridges of
boats. II there is anything in this world more
iIIlOmp, ehensble than anything else, it is that
bridge OF boats at Paslucah. Now, f we are to
have another one at st. Louis, we fear that we
shall be entirely overcome.
While these operations are going on, this
gacious General permits the enemy deceive
him by fent upon ST. Louis, while he is muster
ing an army TO overcome LYON at Springfield.
By similar strategy MULLIGAN is defeated at Lex
ington, at a loss to the Government of at least
s., 900 900 besides the disorganization of the
forces under his command. While our Generals
are getting ready to fight and are arranging their
campaigns, the enemy make line of defense
from the Potomac to Kansas which of itself will
require an immense force to maintain without re-
gard to offensive operations. Where rests the
blame we again ask, for the lack of energy and
efficiency in our military operationsl five should
say it was owing to a weak head we might be
charged with being influenced with partisan
prejudices and W will therefore let a Republican
print answer the inquiry;
weak head is weak system. Weakness at
the head OF the Government insures weakness
throughout all its departments. That we have
abundant weakness at the head of our Govern
nlent is manifest enough. not only at Washing
ington, but in every place where operations are
carried on. A truly great man infuses his spirit
into every thing that is done under his authority;
a truly little reduces every thing to the
standard OF his own diminutive capacity. This
Administration has undertaken the heaviest con
tract that has fallen to the lot of any national
Governments OF modern times, with, to all APP
pearance, as little ability for its performance. 1t
has collected the meaas for its own protection, is
securely entrenched behind walls and hills crown
ed with batteries, and there it lies, to all appear
ance. unable TO see beyond its own Notifications,
and thinking little possible of the vast aud
active conflicts soon to take place in the West,
and towards which events are hurfying with I'M
exampled raPidity-
What the Government wants of the vast array
of troops now upon the line Of the Potomac is
more than can be OWNED. Surely hundred
thousand men is enough to defend the capital
from even remote possibility of capture There
is 70 be no advance upon Richmond from thai
quarter, as all persons acquainted with the sub
jet, military and non military, agree. The thing
is simply impossible; and Richmond is safe
from any advance upon it by land rs New Or
leans. ~ e
Why, them. il Kentucky is to be saved to tn,
Union, are not the troops that have been trained
and disciplined, and reviewed and found perfec
under Gen. Mcclellan, and who long for activ,
service, sent in this directionf Why rely upoI
soldiers who a fortnight ago we're figuring in th'
walks OF civil life. to do the work in that State
when there pleaty of othersT II Genera