Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-05
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For the Standard
THouGHTs

4 s1hOOudlS-.-ss.
4" When soldier finds that his every movement
Is directed by master mind, that when he is ap-
parently thrust into the greatest danger, he fnds
in truth his greatest security-that his march to
engage an apparently superior force is not a wild
sacrifice but the result of well calculated plan;
when he knows, that however appearances may be,
that he is of with honor, for his breth-
rem in arms already in progress to assist him,
and wlLnot fail to be Forthcoming at the hour APP
pointed; when he secs that there IS q Watcniul eye
over him, providing for all his wants assisting him
to overcome all his difficulties, and enabling him TO
reap the fruit of all his successes when ne nnos
that even retreat ia but preparation for victory,
and, as ifguided by Providence, all his movements,
though to him incomprehensible, are to prove sure
steps to some great end when soldier finds this,
he rises and lies down in security, and there is no
danger which he will not be brave. u
But, when in every thing they undertake, they
find the reverse OF the picture have drawn-when
they are marched, as they imagine, to glory, but
find it is only to slaughter when even victory
brings no fruit, and retreat they discover to be
flight; when the support they hope for comes not,
and they find their labors to be without end or pur-
pose-swhen the provisions they look for issued
more, and they see all their efforts paralyzed
when an army of thousands finds itself delivered,
bound hand and foot, into the hands of man with
out system, foresight or military knowledge enough
for sergeant of police the stoutest heart will fail,
what he will, his efforts can only end in ruin and
dishonor."
Mr. EDITOR: The above appeared in the Bombay
! Times after the destruction of the British army,
in Cabul, in the winter of 1912. 1t is so appro-
pirate to the present situation of affairs that take
the liberty of transcribing it and ask its publica-
ton The same causes which led to the destruction
of the British army, now are work, destroying
| the Confederate army. The causes incompe
tent Generals, engineers and other oficers-bad
management, poor supplies of ammunition and arms
for the army in the field-withholding the pay from
the men-separating the different arms of the SER
vice-the artillery from the infantry and the caya
ry from both infantry and artillery-improper and
injudcious location of forts, withholding support
and supplies at headquarters, fayoritism and par
TALLY in high places, keeping pet regiments we'll
clothed and well armed in comfortable winter quar-
tiers, and sending halfclcthed, halfarmed, and, in
some instances, totally unarned men into active
service in the face of an enemy armed with the best
weapons in the Notwithstanding men armedCO with
shot guns against men with Minnie riAes-issuing
orders not to give an ounce powder to the militia,
expecting militia men who cannot buy a days pro-
visions for their families to furnish their pro-
visions in the field, and to buy gun-powder at 81
and SO per pound for the mpaign-expectng men
who have not bed covering enough at home to keep
their children warm to carry blankets into the field
what may we expect but disaster and defeat?-
Hoping that the Almighty will have mercy on the
Old North State, I remain,
Yours, &C., SENEX.
| Feb 25 1862.