New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-18

Sanitary Condition Of she Troops sc
Military Situation -Ysaia md Mud w. AZ"
Ad,uuee-Arriynis Grcin Sac sscbc' Ni"e-
News Gom Bowi'sg-Grcen. ac.
Pm, Our Specie Correspondent - -. =, =, 400,
In t,v las, ventured me assertion that Gen.B ueil
arm, was inferior in all respects only 10 The army OF
the Potomac Ny familiarity with the character OF
both arnes even nduces me 10 believe that The troops
belonging 10 the former show letter average OF
uhys.a vigor and natural fitness jon military duties
lhan those of the latter But, While think ills
superiority will strike any observer the one hand,
great difference on the other in regard to discipline
lnd proficiency in drill in Gen. McClellan's direct
command on the Potomac division and brigade ma
neuver. have already, for some iime been regularly
rae.i,e ed the exercises of four-ifths OF Gen. Buels
force are still necessarily limited 10 battalion din.
MANY Of his regiments even cOniine Themselves, az
vet. 70 the school Of he company. The army of the
Ohio is indeed in point Of drill, where
that OF the Potomac was three months since
while in other western departments the severe and
Iime-absorbng active service, which was required
Of the troo almost Immediately after their torma-
ton into regiments, prevented instruction III the
higher field tactics, in this The shcrcoming in the
same respect was caased by the absence of eompe-
fen, teachers. am s6tisfed that there are not half
\ dozen offces in this state that can scientifically
handle brigade, not 10 speak Of 4 division. Tie
West Pointers that were with remarkable Partially
and almost criminal disregard Of the exigencles Of
the situation in Kentucky, assigned 10 field duty in
,bis DEPARTMENT, - the number Of only about
dozen, nearly Ill held but subordinate commands in
the regular army, and owing 20 this fact and the
scattering Of the dozen regular regiments in small
fractions all over TIE country ever since the Mexican
war their knowledge of the manipulation Of large
bodies of troops war at best but theoretical Even
If they had had The required time they would have
been obliged TO learn while teaehing-to instruct
themselves while ustIucting Others. Hut the pub
lie interest ccmpels The shortening Of the period of
preparation ia this department. Aggressive action
isimperatiyely demanded by il. The campaign in
this State must open before long, and hence the
army of the Ohio will enter upon the theater of war
composed Of much less well-trained actors than that
in Eastern Virginia.
The lruth IT, drilling could be continued all Win
ten without Transforming the Western volunteers into
soldiers that come mp TO the European standard
General oiicors however talented and we-raned
cannot create perfect army ont OF hundred thou
rsnd raw recruits in six months and moi in rs many
years if unssristcd by the proper proportion of ele
mentsry instructors. Troops that are but inper-
iectly taught hc elements of tactics, cannot lie made
TO practice wei the higher branches. Loosely drilled
VI companies will not work well in Tegiment;l corr
bina ions, and regiment. deicicu, in battalion drill
cannot be succesiully operated in brighdes. Al Tin
is applicable 10 Gen. Buels army. But iew Of the
regiments composing il have regularly bIed military
men among their officers. ] am informed that in The
entire Kentucky cOutngen' Of thirty Tegmcn- handy
one on of every hundred officers can boast Of mill
tsrv education. How can men teach what they dc
no. know themselves A.single competent. hard
working nan can work wonders with whole Teei.
lnen But NLerc al enire Ieginental Organization.
is nrusted to tyTo. in martial lore who store Their
memories out Of books in tue evening with what they
propose 10 reduce 10 practice in the morning only
botch-work viii be accomplished. An officer, Ike
an artist must fashion biz work after living models.
soldier no more than a statue, can be dedlced
from mere theory one-year intelligent pIacli-
toner IL worth more than tenyeals student OF lnil
itary science. Men that have never secn and lived
with perfect soldier, are not apt TO become fuch
themselves, OF make such out Of Others.
II il easy to point ont an evil-diffcult TO remedy
il. 10 it is with The one referred to in the above
officers being wanting, good soldiers are impossible
ties. The former being scanty in This department
he latter are likewise. But there is al element Of
military success amply possessed by Gen. Bueil
array that IL properly cultivated will go far toward
compensaiing upon the battlefield for all deficiencies
Oh the drill-grouud. Napoleon victories will
raw recruits, and how by mastery geneIalship
and, above all, by iuiuaing Lis followers with some
Of HE own boldness, ardor and sef-reance. These
qualities pIeeninently among the natural char
acterisiics Of Western volunteers and, though on
generals may not be able to exhibit Nspoeoic STRAIT
eQy, they can insure Union triumphs by simply
rousng and awaiting themselves Of this innate spirit
of their troops. While circumstances render their
transformation into good soldiers impIaeticable,
nothing but the absolute stoldity and ncompetency
of their commanders win prevent their proving them
selves good fighters. The Western army, while led
by Fremont, showed some OF the enthusiasm and
confidence that make battles half won before they
are really begun. Similar impulses animate the de
Tenders Of the Union in Kentucky and it wants hut q
spark Of genus Oh the pan OF their Commandel.in-
Chief TO kindle aud feed them into flames that will
speedily work the destruction of rebellion in South
ern Kentucky ami Tennessee. Does he possess it ?
Early offensive action will indicate it-continued
Iebargy furnish evidence to the contrary If he has
at all the circumspection becoming hi. position. lie
cannot fail to entertain the conviction tbs, s. ou;et
Winter, while adding nothing 10 the efficiency of his
army, will altogether demorslize II, and deprive him
OF the surest means Of success viz: the iob,ing
nnettc of bis soldies.
The sanj,ary condition Of An army ,ro,.;5 o. 81.