The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1862-08-25
Empty Praise for the Private Sol
der.


Empty Praise for the Private Sol
der.
Ia looking back at the many bloody bat
les which have occurred during this war but
nc or two isolated instances can be found.
4 here the blame for misfortune justly rests
ipon the private soldier And In these cases
he action Of tho common soldier has been
.ausod from the want of confidence ia the
officer. and bis blunders when
IN action Wherever our soldiers have been
vel commanded. they have displayed the
most dagntless bravery. And for this in
trepid courage. they have received only empty
praise from the powers that be, and congrat-
alatons for such splendid conduct From
the action OF Great Bethel down TO that of
Cedar H0snfoiH, there has been one c0nlin
,.ous succession Of blunders Oh the part OF
officers. The eye describes them upon every
battle field and in every skirmish. The poor
private soldier however. the guilt Of whose
murder rests upon his commander. sinks
from view unknown and his memory u only
cherished by his nearest relatives. Promo
tons from the ranks during this war have
been very few 1, was Napoleon particu
lar care in this respect that gave him such
matchless armies. lie always awarded brave
~. Intelligence and skill wherever lac found
H. II the common soldier possessed these
qualifications b. was always placed in a
condition we're he would benefit tho army,
nnl honor himself and country. In tho hard
fought battles OF the present war; the highest
examples OF heroic daring have been dis
pIsycd. by private soldiers. The country
feels that it, cause IL safe with him. But
how has no been rewarded : Only by com.
pIiacn,ary psoclsmations of general char
acter. Ills commander who has not more
than haifhis sense or bravery has 90 far
been tho one 10 receive the praise. This Is
radically wrong. and should be remedied.
Every great battle ought 20 be quickly fol.
lowed by publication OF promotions made
from the ranks for special gallaniry. Every
thus be promptly Tiled. The names should
al be- madc public. Every commission thus
troa would be hundred fold more honorable
than any which are giusn. without having
been earned. The assurance which the
hamblest soldier would thus have. that an
upward career Is just rs open before him as
before any officer. would surely inspire him
with "a ambition for great achievements.
md highten HE military arder.
We have too many parrenu Lieutensnts
sad Captains Let them ,r.a their straps
before wearing them. person would
hardly 20 among tho officers % our army
now, 10 fri the best Intelligence and ability
In the rams are no~ the best men in vast
number q eases Ia the multitude OF APP
ps.atuei. = which have been Iaadc. many
mistake have occurred Many incompeten,
officers have been appointed. and "a con-
sequence many brave soldiers have been
eauselessly slaughtered. The organization
II every regiment nov. i nothing m~re
than vie working political struggle. dis
graceful, alike 90 those ~ho engage in II and
the powers that tolerate K. The political
-shy-ter. i successful a. general thing. in
these struggles Tor place. Rchas succeeded
In getting his uni!orm-no,hing else. We
ser a,say sneh officers every day in towns.
cities. and village. AID il has become more
honorable 10 be a private soldier than an
.Gices !, short timc si0se ws were in the
Camp near this c,ty. and AIKEN .he drill hour
arrived. We we're engaged IN conversation
with an oa.cer freshly uniformed. As hi.
company .ssSs'i he remarked. "tha, i the
company - which | belong" We said ID
han that ne supposed lie undefs Gu. ihe drill
With H. men. At this remark he straight
epcd himself ~. tool he handkerchief from
- pocket. btssslsrl some Jast from his coat
and stid. n deaf mi an aa sFer"
While theec are vast number Of good
officers. whose courage anl patriotism are
auqaestioned. and who undcr.sand the fal
measure o. their responsibilities. there arr
ai-o vast number Of the other kind. Who
-tnuA b. Displaced cor private soldiers who
sho~ themselves eompsssa. 10 command
The asiiotm al an olGeer Eo4 Ia many N
-gasscss. : oaly ?srsum!t.se evidence. shar
Dc sha wears il has ordlusry intelligence
,suraye % xii
Under The order, Cor sac draft. PROV isioui
sss made Tor tie promotion OF worthy pei
ate sol!iers. This : a. i shoalj Be Tn,
ios Of private soldier : indeed hsrl one
and ias;i,s rcQaites thst Re shouli enjoy Al
apsofsaniss scr promotion aud advancement
tae tladgcry % sac usr : upon HIN. whil,
~ wages are nominal lie j. compelled {.
.tana saasd. and drill. aad = exposed 10 Al
ne A-7.lsh'ps 81 ...elemen; weather. and N,
- work q the camp. All la-i.ce ts.,airr
that he shoS.d have "a equal opporsauis, 20
e.an.otion. ~.tA he Sinister Mo has l.
sone meaas obtained the consent Of kss es-.
~sas I, Sc "a efser n saskss,x sl.e-e "a.
ee.laa@. ue bal fsise. - Sentln~ut. q
tasrSassts - brave. worthy Salisss .,.f oes
,ayesus private soldiers. ~ho have 30 o,
psrtani,y % ss<a asking fos iuss.ee froa, Il
poseSthitbe
Ins Philadelphia Roanss fusl hss sese.
si the na IN Aren't fan q ops million