The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-02-26
The Vnlnnteer sYstam.

The Richmond Examiner denounces the volunteer
system in strong language and feel assured that vol
unteers and militia no matter how brave cannot be de-
pended upon in pitched battles-soldicrs must be well
drilled aud trained before they are fit for the battle
field. This will take from one to two years We may
be reminded Of the achievements Of Bunker hill and
other equally victorious battles; but these were mpul-
sive battes-fought on the spur Of the moment-and
prompted by bravery alone-without plans or system.
In the early part of our war with England in 812, the
British with their regulars defeated Us in almost every
battle. 1t was not until we had recruited regular
force and thoroughly drilled and disciplined it before
we could successfully meet aud defeat the enemy at
Little York. Chippewa, Btidgewater, Lundys lane,
Maiden, Proctors defeat Platsburg Sacketts harbor
and finally New Orleans
Nowadays, warfare is reduced to science and its
must be studied as any other profession, The idea
Of electing military officers ridiculous to bccon
sidered. Almost any with few gallons Of whis-
key, can be elected an officer But in the opinion of
the most scientific and experienced generals officers
should be gentlemen both by education and deport
ment. a drunken officer in an army is a greater nu
sancc to an army than the most degraded sot to a
moral community. As strict discipline must be kept
up in the army as is sustained between large planter
and lis sayes-it is useless to mince The matter
The Examiner says, speaking of volunteers and mill
tia)the sysemis expensive for the Confederacy We
shall always Be obliged hereafter, in peace well as
war, to have an army Of considerable magnitude in
reserve ready to take the field at days weeks or
iornishts notice 0urpoitca system viii have to be
engrafted with military feature. The army is no
longer to be discarded encumbiance and set aside
a useless piece Of trumperr Il is 70 be living in
stuton of the land 1t is to engross all our care and
all our thoughts We are to cherish it as the apple Of
the eounrys eye It IS to be the object Of our pride
and the fountain of honor and distinction. Service in
its ranks il be held the honorable duty Of all young
men Of the country. An apprenticeship in the army
is to be part Of every mans education and training
He il to 60 intoit at the command Of the country
inevitably as he goes to school as boy or serves as
iuryman in court. It's to be part Of every mans
duty to serve stated number Of years in tile ARMY so
far as an army is called to serve at al in the field
This service is to be part Of his duty to the country
just as the payment Of taxes is imposed OIL MI Pr
mary Obligation of citizenship The voluntary system
is to he wholly discarded and this mattcr-ofcourse
and compulsory duty Of military service il to take its
place The pay is to be small The country is to OBJ
tain the service Of her soldiers cheap The country
to be living camp not in respect actual service, II
may be, but to the extent that the proclamation of
general order at any moment will invoke army drill
cd, equipped, ready for the field