The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-15
GENERAa INEIIIGEMGE
Tho Nino Months Mon.

Tho New York Journal Of Commerce, in
discussing tho question, what will DO done
with the nine months men, says:
"This question, which !. everywhere asked,
can DO answered only by guesscs. Tho
government will not. and should not. dis.
close its purposes with regard to its soldiers.
Only ono thing is certain that whatever
services the nine months men are put to
will last only nine months. Tho govern.
ment has never broken faith with It's soldiers.
and We may safely believe never will attempts
to oxtort ono hour OF service from man DO
yond the period for which he was sworn IN.
But although 1t is impossible 10 say what
disposition will DO made OF these short term
men for the most eTcc,ual carrying on OF the
war, It is not so hard to surmise some things
that will probably not DO done with them.
They will not be used to strengthen the old
regiments. Reinforcemcnts for that purpose
will DO taken from the 300 900 three year,
men.
Il would DO had policy to mix up two
classes Of troops, one Of whom would DO ON
titled to discharge ono or two years before
the other. The retirement Of part Of q
regiment could hardly fail to have Q de-
moralizing effect on the remainder. Since
the nine months men cannot DO advantage
ously worked in with tho old regiments, II
therefore follows that they will not DO put
into the field until they have been pretty
we'll drilled ut home. This can be done only
In camps of instruction, located at some CEN
trail points IN the different States from which
the conscripts are taken. With the utmost
activity ON the part Of the Government, the
nihc months men cannot DO raised, organized,
properly differed, armed and equipped. be-
lore the early part Of September.
They will then need . month or six weeks
instruction In camp, before they will DO good
for anything. This will carry them safely
and comfortably through the summer In our
healthy Northern climate, up to tho pleasant
days and tho cool nights Of d.October
when the soldiers themselves, becoming ar.
IDENTIFY martial on their email experience will
look upon trip to the South and fight
with the enemy as positive recreations. I'm.
less the nine months men differ In some OK.
traordinary respect from oil other soldiers,
they will 30 glad to exchange the dull rou-
tine of the camp for the tingling excitement
of active service. when the bracing winds OF
autumn como along. Tho cause OF grum'
bling will then DO, that they are held back.
BY this time about two months Of the
nine will have been used up; and the men
cannot DO economically employed on distant
expeditions or protracted campaigns. They
could, however, perform valuable and In
dispensable service in occupying posts now
held by veteran troops, or taking caro- OF
places which may be won from the enemy by
our yictoriou, three years men, and keeping
down rebel instructions, while the main
body of the army presses on to new conquests.
Perhaps the best regiments among them
might be mingled In small proportions with
the old regiments and do their part In some
Of tho fiery work Of war.
The nine months men will pass the cool
and healthy month";, II any, at the South
and will return to their Northern homes in
tho beautiful month of May, unless they
prefer to 60 on soldering to the end of the
war, and very many Of them will. The
places of those who retire may be supplied
BY other nine months men, II the Govern.
ment choose to order another draft. Or the
Government may raise 100000 volunteers
for twelve months, II that cours6 shall seem
best. Il may also keep tho existing infantry
regiments continually full by accepting vol
unteers for that special purpose, for twelve
months. These methods Of filling up tho
army arc oil authorized by the now U. 5.
Militia Law. With these facilities, which
are practically unlimited, at tho disposal OF
the Government, lot US hope that tho end OF
the war Is not far off,"