Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-15

II the state0t the weather ucts MOI Sohhpietclg
arrest the further progress of army operations for
the winter, a great battle in kentucky, resulting
IN certain disaster to the Federal arms, may
possibly mark the termination of the first cam
paign of the enemy in their war of conquest
and s~ubjugation. If this desired victory does
not transpire very soon, however, d rigorous
season, with its rains, its SHOWS, and s@leets, viii
force both of the c~ontending parties into winter
quarters, to await the coming of the mild months
of spring, when the gigantic war, so far fruit
lessly waged by the Washington despotism'
will be resumed with increased energy and upon
a more tremendous scale.
~The enemy now has in the field a vastand well
appointed army Of at least 100000 men-seeond
in point Of numbers, perhaps, to no standing ar
nv in Europe, save that of the Russian Empire
The Southern army, whose exact strength has
been wisely concealed by the War Department
numbers between four hundred thousand and a
half million Of men, besides about one hundred
and fifty thousand troops organized as militia by
the various States along the coast, which prae-
tically serve the purpose Of defense in case OF IN
vasion. One advantage Of the enemy over u.s.
and a decided one in our opinion unless speedily
remelied, is found IN the fact that the Federal
troops are nearly all enlisted in the service for
three years OF the war, while the time Of enlist
ment of most of the southern volunteers wilt ex-
pire during the approaching summer.
It would be useless to comment with any de-
gree Of severity upon the great error, amounting
to a sad want of foresight and craftsmanship,
committed by our government authorities in
adopting the policy which they did in this mat
Ter, for snarling complaint and grumbling crih-
cisms at crisis like the present, would be mop
perfume, if not dangerous to the Public welfare
The fact e~onfronts US that we are rapidly ap-
preaching a critical era, when the patriotic vol
unteers, whose daring achievements upon the
field Of carnage have cast historical luster upon
Southern valor during the past year, viii be
called upon to exercise their volitioE IN r~e-enlist
ing in the Confederate service for the war, as the
only alternative to our having a national army
fit TO cope with that of the enemy. 1t remains
for US to grspple with this fact and subdue its
evil. though not inevitable, consequences as best
we can.
Our first natural inquiry is, Have the Confed-
crate Congress duly considered the difficulties
attendant upon it, and will they devise legisla-
ton equal to the embarrassments liable to be
occasioned byit9 The sessions Of this body are
very properly held in secret, and we have no clue
to its deliberations. We heari it asserted that the
has recently been undergoing a process
Of discussion by the Provisional members, bat
that their labors are thus far u~navailing. Ii may
be chat the delicate question win be tinkered
on by the present Congress until the msugura-
ton of the permanent government, which, it i
hoped, win infuse an energy and degree Of
craftsmanship into our national legislative coun-
els, tantamount to the exigencies of the present
war. While we shall await with patience the ma
tupement Of some suitable scheme by those in au-
fhority, we do not deem it ont Of place to proclaim
to the people-that greater power behind the
throne greater than the throne itseh-who origin
ally inaugurated and have since maintained this
for independence, the prospective peril of
the commonwealth, unless they shall again rally
to its defense. In rejecting upon this matter
the future possesses no gloom for us, because we
an abiding confidence that when the truth
is known in season, the spirit Of sacrifice ex-
hibited by the southern people will know no
limit Of endurance, provided it promise the bright
contamination of the glorious enterprise inwhich
they are already embarked.
The fact need not be blinked by those in au-
thority or those out of it, that to maintain with
certainty the political Independence which we
have already established, a vast majority Of our
now in service must re-enlist. 1t win
be fatal to rely upon the raw recruits, who could
soon be obtained upon a mere call, to stand
against the ~weu-dhlled aud disciplined forces of
the enemy in a charge upon the Geld. They
would be dispersed and driven back ike chat
before the wind, and no amount Of intrepid dar-
ing or personal valor could prevent certain and
disastrous defeat, where the opposing numbers
anything ike equal But volunteers now in
with the understanding Of tais fact,
none can appreciate better than they, viii
be perfectly willing to r%e-enlist, provided those
heme will manifest a disposition to strike a
blow in defense Of the liberty which they now
To obyiate existing difficulties and superin-
auce this result, the least obnoxious plan that
presents itself to our consideration is the follow
ing: Let Congress pass 3 law %instrueting tie
Governors Of the several States to Immediately
the State forces, requiring every man
subject to military duty to drill regularly at
stated periods. This requirement can be carried
put, not under the direction of incompetent mill
ia officers, as ignorant of tactics as they are of
he Kamtsehatka language, but by respectable
md efficient ~drill-masters, chosen from the army
or the specific purpose. The Confederate
States could thus be rendered one vast militia
camp of amateur soldiers, ready upon
he first call to fill up the thinned ranks Of
be national army. We certainly have the men
nd with our present population of o,OOO,000
whites, can put in the field and support an army
f 800, 600 men, which viii only be one man
Of every lena moderate proportion when
We consider the fact that IN the American Revo-
some of the New England States furnish
d one soldier out Of every sic inhabitants.
What we need is organization AID drill, that
very man may be a soldier. Congress can set
his matter on foot by an hours Legislation, and
the result which we 50 much desire
u effective, well drilled and increased national
rmy, with which to open the spring campaign
nd conquer d speedy peace.
EXCHANGE Of PRisONERs-The Lincoln
has determined, as we learn by a
from Washington to the associated
ress, to abandon its former policy as to ex-
those who may, by the fortunes Of war,
,Iinto the custody other opponents. The state