The Goodhue volunteer. [volume] (Red Wing, Goodhue County, Minn.) 1861-1864, 1862-09-17
The General we Want.

The General we Want.
In the beginning the great end Of the wa,
was to whip the enemy, that is to-day its
end, and ever will be. 1t is all in vain tc
talk about the superior generalship, the
wonderful tactics, or the brilliant strategy o
the comnander whose army has been beat.
en-. He is . great captain who wins battles
and he is small one who loses them. I,
is very little satisfaction to US now, to be
told that the plan Of the first battle of Bull
Run was an admirable plan; That it show
ed fine military genius to make such plan
that the plan would have succeeded, only,
one general did one thing, and something
else took place that was not thought Of that
in fact at one time we had really beaten the
rebels, only we never found it out till too
late all this kind Of talk don't go at all to
alter the fact that we were badly beaten At
Bull Run !; that the rebels gained all the
fruits and glory of a victory, and We all the
disasters and disgrace of defeat 1t won't
do to try to prove, and argue, that we were
virtually triumphant, when we were actual
ly overthrown; and commanders reputa.
ton for splendid generalship cannot we'll be
established by loud talk and long logo right
after his ignominious defeat. The soldier
that beats in battle, is the soldier that is to
wear the laurels and although he was edu>
Gated at the academy, and graduated with
the first honors is recommended by all the
military boards in the land, and has the en-
tire confidence of the President, the Secre-
tary of War, and all the Departments, he
cannot be saved from disgrace, neither should
he be, If he don't meet, strike and overthrow
the foe. Whae the country wants and what
it demands, is general that can fog the
rebels. 1t DON'T want any man at the head
of the army who is Of such tender feeling
that he wishes to spare the effusion of blood.
The country knows that this rebellion can
not be quel;ed without bloodshed, and it
clamors that it he done. We don't wan;
any general who is afraid of the rebels, and
dare not come out from behind breast works
and ditches and 60 into fair stand up fight.
The people know that the two armies must
be brought face to face in the field. and the
one is to win that can fight the longest and
fight the hardest. This sitting down be
hind entertainments and looking at each 9th
er through holes and cracks, is a new and
unheard Of way Of carrying on campaign.
The country cares nothing for a mans an
tecedents provided only he whips the rebels,
neither will it scrutlnise too closely, or find
fault with the methods and means by which
that end is reached. The supreme thing is
victory, and that will justify and gIorify all
means, and any man who wins it. And
whatever, and whoever stands in the way of
this paramount necessity and demand of the
country, must be put out of the way, at
whatever cost to the nation, or whatever
sacrifice to tho individual. The time of &C.
lay, and caution, and negligence is past
The p:tience and forbearance Of the people
with b'undering, timid, and incapable leaders
are worn out. Snch state Of things can
not longer be endured. The country de-
monds that an end shall be put to this des-
pe'ate condition Of suffering and peril 1t
cannot longer have either fcrbearance, or
pity, for rank however elevated, or repu,a
ton however brilliant. if they stand between
it and victory; and it will overwhelm with
honors and gratitude the man who gives
them victory whatever his origin, his char.
acter, or his previous life. The question on
every mans lips as he scans the life and looks
OF the general in command, is not whether
he is pious man. or moral man. or vain
or pompous, or braggart, or =, liar, but it is
only has he skill, has he courage, has he ca.
pac'ty, IS he sure to beat, will he gain the
victory. The people are ready to blot ou,
all memory Of the past, and cover over every
ira'lty and sin with = mantle all radient, i
he will only whip the rebels aud they neve,
will forgive the best man in christendotn
however distinguished, or educated, or cher.
ished for moral worth and brilliant genius, i
his guidance leads them to defeat. Nothing
can savs the name Of such general from
seorn and execrasion; he Will be hissed and
|eontempted to the latest generation. 81 -,
There is but one thing that the peopl,
have their heart ses on to day, and that IS I,
crush the rebellion. They have the fsrc,
and the resources abundant to do il and l.cl
only , promps bold, and strong hand t,
WELD them. When such . man il foun.
this rebellion viii b crushed ont EASILY
Unless hs s found the struggle viii Be- terri
bic and desperate. We have no fear thu
ws shaal not in the end. triumph. The re
oellion can never overcome IS bat ther
viii b : fearful number Of military pretend
Iers would-hs great generals and pre.en
sioas and laaded coumanders, that il NJ!
esampae in the dust, aud Eeavs 10 everlastin,
acorn and contempt .- Ms;cse. .bayaaL