The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-09
The Napoleonic Way Of Dealing
with Generals

FROM Che hcu York Word.
The Government has duty TO perform
in holding tue commanding Generals
who ara more directly within its control,
10 a stricter account This year has de-
veloped great differences between the
different leaders in respect TO competency
and efficiency There has been no COR
responding distinction made in respect
10 the duties assigned. II eeems TO have
been the way Of the administration--we
can't say pollen for there is no policy in
ito supersede as little as possible.
There has been an excessive reluctance
TO make charges. History will be search
ed in vain for any successful war-in
which there has been SO little shifting
Of official positions in accordance with
the developments Of capacity or incapa-
city England pursued much the same
course in her war against the colonies,
aud Ia that one circumstances more than
any other is TO be attributed her failure.
1t may spring from apliable feelings, but
tits in the highest degree injurious Con-
gross, by special act invested the Presi-
dent with The power to assign commands
without respect % seniority This power
has been exercised 10 some extent, bat in
no such measure as the good Of the cause
required. IL is a notorious fact that the
best commanders are not all in the best
places. Before entering upon the second
grand campaign this should be FegtiGed
The President, with the aid Of y Nrql
lialleck, ought TO hnd it not dil. Fl
the light Of the years history, 10 hiaAe
out some such list of his generals as Boz
naparte in his carly career sent homo to
the Directory, Judging Of men, as he said
by their actions. The discrimination was
made and success insured 1t would be
an easy matter to take this same list and
substitute the names of fifteen high
American generals having substantially
the same characteristics. Bonaparte thus
wrote from Italy:
/ think IL useful, citizen directors, e
give you my opinion of the generals en-
ploycd in this army. You will see that
there are very few who can be Of service
TO you.
talents, courage character
everything in his favor.
Augereau--A great deal of character
courage, firmness, activity, habit of war
is beloved by the soldiers, lucky in hi:
operations.
Massenna-Active, indefatigable, dar.
ing, has quickness of apprehension and
promptness in decision
Serrurier-Fights like a soldier, takes
nothing upon himself firm, has not a very
good opinion of his troops; is i'll.
Despinois-Soft without activity, with
out daring, has not fighting habits, is not
liked by the soldiers, does not fight al
their head; has, for the rest, hauteUr, in
telligence, and sound political principles
fit to command in the interior.
Sauret-Good, very good soldier, but
not enlightened enough to be general; MOI
lucky.
Abatucci--Not &c to command fifty
| men.
GARNER, Mounier Casabianca--Inca-
pable; not fit to command a battalion
in so active and in so serious war AZ
this.
Macquart--A brave man, no talent
fiery.
Gauthier-Fit for an Office bureau
never was engaged in war
Vaubois and SaGuguet were employed
in the Iortresses, / have transferred then
to che army; / shall learn to appreciat,
them; they have both acquitted them
selves extremely we'll Of the commission
that Ihaye hitherto given them; but "a,
example Of General Despinois, who wal
all right at Milan, aud all wrong at th,
| head OF his division, ORDERS ME no JUnal
or MEN by THEIR ACTIONS.
The great conqueror thus Disseminated
Cannot the President, who has even NOR,
at stake, do the same thing? Or cannot
Gen. Halleck, do it for him!