, 1861-12-30

us, CONFIDENCE in any banking system ''is
plant Of slow growth" and until we &c.
copy OF the bill and have time carefully
to examine all its provisions, VIC cannot i'll
dorse it. It Will be well for our readers as
tar ss possible to adopt the same policy,
OUR WNTER CAMPS.
Our troops arc now in winter quarters,
and cessation Of active operations has
been enforced by the rigor Of the season.
And now has commenced the most trying
period through which any army can be
called to pass. we would We could believe
our soldiers were better prepared for it.
It is question whether the pretence that no
winter quarters would be needed has had
happy results either upon the spirits or
physical condition ofthe men. The promise
that they were to pass Christmas at
Memphis, and attend New Years balls at
New Orleans had better never been made,
# it was most sure to be broken. # it
was not the policy Of the war to be aggres-
eyc and push the rebellion home to its hot
beds, and use all the means and adTan-
tages Of honorable warfare to the end Of
crushing treason, We ennhesitatingly express
our conviction that to educate contrary ex-
pectations in the minds Of the people and
the army, has been to store up the evils of
disappointment, and give for the entering
upon winter bivouac, g condition Of mind
which is an unfortunate preface to the
winter.
Weeks ago intelligent surgeons attested
that the hospital lists had many cases Of
what is known as nostalgia, homesickness,
the patient really i'll from ennui. A call
to arms, prospect Of a battle would ban
ish all these cases ut once, a sure remedy,
but they are none the less serious when
month after month rolls away without the
spur, no medicine can give. fthese were
really serious evils affecting the health Of
the army Of the Potomac in November,
what increase must they have known in
all our camps from the actual setting in of
winter. But these are among the inevi-
table ills Of camp life There are others
that better preparation could have guarded
against.
There are dangers worse than a defeat
on a hardly contested field, that impend
over our winter cantonments, and the ut
most exertion Of the Government and Of
officers in charge Of regiments and posts
must be e1erted to avert them. 4 yiglant
care Of the condition of troops will
alone save the ranks from frightfu1
defamation. The evils Of exposure
trom insufficient protection against cold,
Of lack Of care in ventilation and cleanli-
ncss,will tell fearfully upon regimentsmade
up Of men tenderly brought up in ceiled
houses. Many Of our army surgeons and
men are unfit for their positions, and this
is the season that Will try them Very ma
ny Of our regimental officers are unworthy
Of the grave responsibility of care Of
troops, and this winter will find it out.
Almost daily reports reach Us Of
evils that will produce most ca1an1i-
tous results, unless checked. In one
Iowa regiment in a camp in Western
Missouri, last week, there were two hundred
men On the sick LIST, and neither surgeon
nor assistant surgeon with the regiment.
Many Of the reg iments will enter upon the
winter with heavy lists of sick from the
uncal1ed for and iniquitous recklessness Of
their officers who exposed them to horrible
and aimless forced marches such as the
campaigns in Missouri and Kentucky have
seen, Of which hundreds Of lives will rav
tho penalty.
It is not pleasant task to write these
words, but they must be impressed upon
our public and the Government. It was
well enough to assure us that we we're to
have no more Bull Runs, but out Of the
neglect of our troops will grow a worse
evil than any defeat could bring.
The Sanitary Commission arc
working well, and the public should aid
them iberally, but Government should not
leave to them 80 large q field of labor.
There are many things omitted from the
army regulation that should be recognized
as Of first necessity. The most trying pc-
Rod Of the war is upon us. It would be
easier to face a battery, and an ambuscade,
than to go through what, VIC feel is in store
for some Of our camps, and the mortality
bills before spring opens will prove it's
truth.
While We write this, mournful cort-
ege is passing our Office, with muf1ed
drums and arms reversed, bearing to the
last resting place the remains Of gallant
officer who, q few weeks since, rode proud
u at the head Of his regiment through these
streets. A. short time since he reioined his
regiment in Missouri, to find them weak
ened and worn out By The fearful march
from Warsaw. He has fallen a victim to
his labor6 in their behalf Let it be felt all
through the loyal States, and by the Gov,
ernment, that the care Of our troops is lust
now tue first and most important duty,
that It has been too much neglected, and
that only increased and diligent employ
ment OF proper means will avail to avcrt
appalling results.