Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-01
General Halieck on Military Conn
mandcrs.

General Halleck, Governor Morgan, the people,
and last though not least every man who serves
in tn ranks, desire able and competent military
men to command our volunteer regiments. But
no one feels or understands the necessity for such
commanders as well as General Halleck. In his
paper on the art of war, written after the battle
of Bull Run, he is emphatic on this very subject.
He says:
The present war is opening our eyes to this
error, and the disaster of Bull Run has taught us
that mere courage and numbers, without instruc-
ton discipline, competent officers to com
mand, are not likely very soon to restore the au-
thority of the Government and the peace OF the
country
War is the most comprehensive and difficult to
be understood of all the sciences for it embraces
nearly every branch of human learning. Hence
it is, that while nearly every country furnishes
good chemists. botanists, geologists. theologians,
jurists and statesmen, but very few skilled gen.
erals have been found in any age. And yet in
our country it seems TO be thought that anybody
will do for general or politician or a petit
fogger has only to put epauletteS, and exchange
his stump speeches or briefs for a sword, in order
to qualify him to lead armies in the field, and to
direct the difficult and complicated operations of
a campaign, siege or battle While we must ad
mre the braZen impudence of the individuals who
make these sudden and wonderful transformations,
1
which is supposed to seek victories rather than
defeats, should appoint such men to command
our armies, and why people, who are supposed
to value their lives and reputation, should tolerate
them If mere politicians, who never drilled
company or read military book, are to command
our armies why not make judges and district at
torneys of masons and carpenters who never read
a law book or wrote brief If it only requires
a piece of parchment to convert a politician into
a general, certainly the same magic process will
transform blacksmith into judge or a butcher
into surgeon.
Washington, in his last Annual Message, Dec.
7th, 1876, in urging upon Congress the impor-
tance OF military instruction. used the following
language: "Whatever argument may be drawn
from particular examples specifically viewed,
thorough examination of the subject will evince
that the art of war is both comprehensive and
complicated; that it demands much previous
study; and that the possession of it, in its most
improved and perfect state, is always of great
moment to the security of nation" Had we
given heed to Washngton's Farewell Address the
present rebellion would never had occurred and
had the Federal Government listened to the ad-
vice contained in the foregoing extract from his
last Annual Message, it would not be lamenting
the disasters of Great Bethel and Bull Run.
The people are beginning to awaken to the i'm
portance of military instruction; and they ask of
the government that it cease appointing Doliti-
clans, ignorant of military science, to lead our
armies. Men who pay their money and peril
their lives in support of the war for the Union,
have had enough of mastering" Generals; they
now demand that these be replaced by men Of
military experience and education.