New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-09
Southern made gun carriages, c.i,son0, and tumbrils
are poor workmanship.
Az 10 clothing all the older trcors bad occasion to

Az 70 clothing all the older trcors bad occasion to
ace are perhaps no, as handsomely and uniformly,
but certainly not loes comfortably provided than The
Northern troops. Even a. 10 footwear their concl'on
bas considerably improved during tho last moth Inc
truth IT, the South has besn broueht 70 rely upon ala
develop It's own resources by the Blockade. IL can
produce large guanty o ,coolen gods spiea6eJ for
arm clothing siOcs etc.. ETC., and has unde niao'y
commenced TO do so There can be ID DOUBT ena' t'e
several seeded States have tolerahy well IroVided
their TROOPS with articles OF winter wear. All tIis
relates. as already stated, ony TO the troops iha'
have for some t;e been in the Confederate service
Most of the newly ENLISTED enes are greatlyin want
of warm, stout clothiEg. The rebel ken'eekian'
under Baener are especially deficient III this respect
Wooden bianketsare particularly scan'y' and the mum
ber of bed-qui SAW strapped TO the BACKS OF 'ne
raw leves that passed through tins city lately, was
net small. But, however this want may tell upon
the eff eacy If the in the ield the iaoe tla'
they are willing to fight although suffering from 1t, If
rather credl,aLle TO them.
MANY of the rebel troops, including whole regiments
and Companies CT recent leyies totally unrovided
with bets, carsidge-boxes, and bayone-shea'hs- 10
this respect, Southern manufacturers are evidently
altogether unable TO supply tie public wantf' As
ammunition cannot well lie carried TO inc necessary
extent in pockets, this deieiency viii prove great
| drawback in battle.
Whatever natural military Qualities the rebels un-
der command Of Gen. Johnston may possess, IL Is M
ndsputable fact tia. they have been hii'e improved
by systematic training. They have been taught, and
praclice with tolerible expertness, the manual OF
arms and company drill. But bat,a ion movements
and maneuverr in bsigades and divisions are rnirOd-
den fields Of military knowledge to then. During
my proracted ojourn in this pat oil the oou'n''i
never heard of such even being attempted. An eX'
Union, now Confederate officer Gen. MsCownI,
commanding brigade uLder Polk. Is known to have
repeatedly expressed IN public his disgust with The
ignorance and indifference of the rebel commanders
in this respect have seen il openly stated in Mem
phs papers that, of all the regiments under POLK
only those in McCown's brigade bad regular battalion
drill; aud that Of the Others most had not undergone
,uca once in three n0nths They have parades and
reviews, but that il all Hardee's troops IRE still
more wanting in drill. A European officer would
II once pronounce them no better than armed mob,
and &c easily dispersed by much smaller body OF
Efficient soldlery. There il difference IN this re-
tilleIy The two later arms are perhaps still less
perfect than the fret mentioned. The cavalry is only
fit for fighting after the lniian fashion. The artillery
is entirely raw, and will turely sehieye more IN
wasting ammunition than in initiating harm upon
their opponents BE il for the sarciiy Of the former
OF the negligence and ircapaeity OF officers, such
thing target practice does not seem 10 be thought
OF 10 this branch Of tie insurgent army.
The rebels are not only indferen,ly drilled
but also very loosely disciplined They 'eem t. CO.
here in the form of army by virtue OF the pleasure
OF the men, rather than gidly enforced rules of con-
duct greater abandon the part VI tie privates,
and greater forbesranee the part Of the otheors,
never prevailed in any congregation Of men lay ing
claim 10 the name and character Of an army. What
little obedience there 10 nmouR the former Is npIa-
renty yielded because the deeiA t 10 yield It,
and not from any proper regard for authority, hnd
what little control the latter posses seems to he
exercised by permission rather than otherwise.
The republican equality in social and political he
seems be surrendered only BY the consent ct the
.nbordinaie., and reassered by them at Will
Tie unruly, ioious spirt Of most souihrOns
becomes nanifest In constant and universal viola
tons Of military proprieiy, that defy all attempts
at correction The xity Of discipline is really such
az 70 render it inevitable that The officers will be
utterly unable to WELD their in trying mornen,s
The more sober and intelligent rebel generals are
| TO, blind TO these shortcomings Of their commands
but know their utter undergraduates to the task
of aggressive warfare, and hence ac, very wisely III
strictly conGning themselves to the def,n,iye.
Nothing even distan,ly approaching an org'.r lied
trans, orialion system exists in the department Of
Gen. Johnston. Having no intention 10 advance
IN northern direction, lie does not appear u deem
the creation of such on scale corresponding to the
strength Of biz forces nece,Ery TIE railroads from
Memphis and Nashyille 10 Columbus and Bowling
Green, have ~ far proved ample means Of supply,
and whatever other carrying facilities wanted
for feeding tho comparatively ,mal bodies Of troops
stationed at distance from railroad communication
the wagons and horses Of tue farmers of the occupied
PORTIONS Of Southern Kentucky furnished them.
Whenever the Coniederates shall be compelled to r-
treat, the absence Of Of transportation will
greatly expedite the dissolution Of their armies.
| The Medical Department" Of the Rebel armies
in Kentucky is also still in avery primitive condition
Southern doctors were never much removed for pro-
.essiona Distinction and q sorrier act Of quacks than
are how acting as Confederate army physicians never
outraged the memory OF Calen Even if heir &C
qurenients more comprehensive, the scantine,s
and cos,liness Of medicines and surgical instruments
would prevent their usefulness. 1t wants but q
visit TO the military hospitals in this place TO satisfy
any one that the treatment VI the Rebel sick b.
wretched.
U.-OTHER DEfENsEs.
| The strategy Of tho Rebel Generals being pre-
euinenily defensive il was Of coufee, but natural