The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-16

CONFINED FROM FIRST PAGE

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE
force by the telling of trees across the
roads and destroying the bridges over
deep and marshy streams, can etfectually
prevent any rapid pursuit. The one in
few minutes blocks up or destroys
roads, which the other cannot clear up
or repair for hours or even days. The
pursuer has very little hope of oyertaking
his flying foe. But this reasoning is not
applicable to Maryland, and the greater
part Of Virginia, Kentucky and Middle
Tennessee. 1t must be admitted that in
these theatres Of war, the rebel armies
have exhibited much more mobility and
activity than our own. Not only do
they out march us both in advance and
retreat, but on two memorable occasions
their cavalry have made with impunity
the entire circuit of the army of the Po-
tomac. Ii it be true that the success Of
an army depends upon its earns and
its legs" ours has shown itself deficient
in the latter Of these essential requisites
This defeat has been attributed to our
enormous baggage and supply trains,
aud to want of training in marches
There is nc doubt that the baggage trains
of our armies have been excessively
large. Every possible effort has been
made within the last few weeks to reduce
item. Bat this is no easy task. Once
accustomed TO a certain amount Of trans
portalion, an army is unwilling to do
without the Injuries which it supplies in
the field. By the recent increase of the
army ration, which was previously lar er
than in any other country, considerable
amount OF transportation is employed in
moving provisions and supplies which
are not necessary for the subsistence of
the soldiers.
An examination Of The returns of the
Quarterma8ter General, few days since,
developed he fact that the army Of the
Potomac, including the troops around
Washington, most OF which are without
field trains, had $4,000 animals, and
that 5000 Of these were employed in
transporting ambulances and hospital
stores. In addition TO all this the roads
streets and wharves are incumbered with
private vt,icles used for the ransporta
ton Of suffers stores. No matter how
large the main body Of an army may be,
il can never move rapidly with such a
mass ofimpedimenta, and yet speculative
projects are almost daily urged on the
War Department TO increase the immo-
billy OF our armies in The field.
Again, our troops, especially those il
the East, have been very little accuslom-
ed TO march, at least to that kind OF
marching usually required by active
operations in the field. Absenteeism is
one Of the most serious evils in all our
;rmes. Hundreds Of officers and thou
sands Of men are almost continually
sway from their commands. Many of
these are really stragglers and deserters.
In regard to officers, the evil is being
abated by summary dismissals, and if
The law could be stringenlly enforced
against tie men, il would soon put an
end to desertions. But struggling on
the march and in battle can be prevented
inflicted on the spot In this and m aan7
other important particulars our military
laws require revision and amendment
They were mostly enacted for small
army and for times Of peace, and are
unsuitsl 70 he government Of the army
we now have, and ile war in which We
are now engaged
Very respectfully, your ob't sv't,
H. ". HALLECE, Gen.-in Chief.