The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-09-12
THE ARMY IN DISORDER.

Of the disorder which reisned in our army
after the defeat OF Saturday, and the reasons
for it, the same writer says -
1t is needless now to explain the constantly
changing disposition of forces during the days
which followed the defeat of Saturday. Three
corps at least remained at Centeryille on
Monday, and were scattered over the broad
slopes OF the hill on either side of the road
in unmilitary disorder. They had never been
in order-nor had the rest of the army since
the retreat. There was no head to put them in
order. There was no order in any depart
ment of the service. There was not ammu-
milton IN the batteries or in the cartridge
boxes OF the infantry enough for another
battle, yet no one knew where the ammuni-
ton trains were to be found. In the first
five minutes | met three ordnance officers ri
ding in search of these trains. No fault of
theirs that the trains could not be found.
They are able officers, but no control was in
their hal'ds-no means OF doing their duty
Orderles had just been sent in all directions
IN search OF the wagons-and it was already
10 O'Clock, and battle hourly expected since
daylight.
1t was no better with the supplies of food.
The troops were half fed, or fed irreguIary.
Reglmental wagons were unloaded, and or
dered to Alexandria for food and forage
Then the order was countermanded, ard thew
were reloaded and ordered to the rear. Bri-
gades without supplies were sent out on the
TANKS and IN front, and left there without
wagons to shift for themseves-I suppose to
subsist on the country; and from the coun-
try they might have gathered scanty grass
and, II IN the woods, leaves for their horses
for the men, nothing. But if general on
the eve of battle cannot supply his troops
with powder, 1t is useless to expect they shall
be fed. | need not multiply instances. There
was mlsmanagement everywhere, because at
headquarters there was incompetence, confu-
sion, no settled plans, no head The army
was not so much dishearted as enraged-wi-
ling to fight, but not willing to be sacrificed
--uenounclng, with unanimity that had no
exception, the incal acity which had caused
tneir defeat. No one believed that the COM
Dlned force Of the rebels were in front ard
as iof !he battle OF Saturday, the men, the Of
hcers' the generals who fought it confess with
s'iarie anu anger that they were beaten b,
ttaii t'elf NUMBER. The army was not de-
-, 'ol1"aiiuer was out-generaled. He
neither knew where his enemy was nov
would suffer himself TO be informed H.
was warned that the enemy was massin, ~,
ms leit-every soldier knew it, but he disbs.
Heved and denied it sent batteries and troons
to the right, to the center. to the rear-everr'
where but where they We're wanted-,ben :,
moment, found himself surrounded enrel-
oped, crushed and defeated.
VARIOUS WAR ITEMS
The New York Times says McDowell's and
helntzelman,s divisions are to be consolidate
ed, to be under command of Heintzelman.
Gen Reno has been assigned to the CON-
mand of the third army corps, Major Gen
Mcdowell having been granted leave of ab-
sence for fifteen days
A letter in the New York Express says Mr.
broadhead, the 2ndcomptroller under Pierce,