Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-10-10
INcnuprrRNr Army OFFICERS.

v,.s.st FROM rHE raxsIDEHT RELATIVE INCOMPETENT
OFFICERS Is THE ARMY AND tKELrroS REGIMENTS.
The folo wing message from the President vas laid
before Congress, on Wednesday:
"T5 the Senate and HAS, Il Representatives.
eff tks GJnfs6srats St1sei
The nea- approach of the dly fixed for your adjourn
usut Induces me to renew certain Recommendations
made at the commencement. Of the sessiop, and Tor
which legislation not yet provided The su'l7c1 OF
the i;spcy Of the army "a one OF paramount inpor'
tsucs and the letter OF the Secretary OF War; herewith
srbt,ed h. been ELECTED by correspondence with the
Generals of cur armies in the fad whose practical e1
Derspce Ct the evils resulting from the defects in our
present sgsssm entities their cpaion to great weight
AN army without. discipline and instruction cannot be
relied on for purposes Of defe, s less for operations
in sn enemy's country. L. is il vain 10 add men and
rnunfi DE- cnless at the same nno give 70 the
aggregated the character ard capacity Oh soldiers
Fne disopEns And instruction req re3 for is ency
esnnot be impaired without competent ttiesrs No
power Tow exss by as for securing such t,srs 70 MI
vaclDces elections and promotions fail to accom-
plisb the OH G.
"Ex RENE cases ought not to furnish rule yet some
provisions should be made to meet evils even excspuora!
Is matter vitality affecting the safety oil our troops
Tender consideration for worthless ard Incompetent CHI
Gers is but smother for cruelty towards the brave
men Who fs sacrifices these detects OF their leaders
L is not df'ul to devise propsr mode oil oovlAung
III. evil The Law AushorEss the refusal to promote
tos promotion of their Juniors in their stead, but 10
s:.ucss occur IN Which no officer remaining in regi-
ment IA g. to be promoted 10 the grade OF C1one aud
no of ser remaining in compIny ia competent 10 com
mind i. "a Captain. legislation prov1ng for the seec-
ton In such ease OF competent officers IRON oher regl
men,s Of the same ate tflrds ready remedy Tor the
evil "a well as for the where GIN ers elsc:ed are
found un for the positions 10 VIII they may be chossr.
rhi selection can be Ge in sreh manner as may seem
10 Congress most adyisabll; but this or some o'her
remedy is Indispensable for filing numerous vacancies
nov eIistiug.
While his deficiency Of competent ofcsrs exist IN
sou, essss there Is large excess in Others Numerous
rssimants sni aopsAuis have been reduced BY the
casuates e var by and other causes, as 10 DC
eomusraysly useless gader TIE STest1 organ'zIi)n-
rh.re are coz pauies 10 the AMY in Hhc tie number
Of c ,ers exceeds that Of piVstes present ior eu ar
reeiuens Ia which his Dumoer Of sIce 1EFses does not
s1ceed that which j. required for sngle n'cuVe e1m
pAny. .
heavy burden on s Of the country, Is thus
seased TO 90 exrAvsgInt extent Rat this Is OF sec
ondary ir,pottaue compared With ~ Ncsney which
rs ,ts fro this condition Of toinss Some e2sation
.heh shall O.ey.ie or The consolidation OF computes
and reEiuen,s when ths re- lOsd II numbers aud when
corscrpts c,nuot b. 05.lned froE St2tc ia sufficient
aumbsrs for fiug the raIs' Is Of pressing necessity
and deep s,lss OF ju'T inpes 6iP q repeat that 10
cor deIa:ou for the ri eTs Wso may bs uuiCs.nssl!
jpsssS OF commands ought OF can safely be perm!iIsS
% obsTUet ta-= ssl1tary reform.
81. NAV be prope. = r,mTk that the necessity for
hi. consolidation, ard the sJnst TN. dschigns o.
,r.sd sud % IDhous officers sil 6pycGIy b increased
oy ell egs4:,S ss;09 permitting De~ QrSsu ,;ions 10
De formed men sns /, lie PROVISIONS Of zoe ccnsctip
- we're directed 70 be Incorporates Sto eIis ing CON
"JETrIssoS DAVIS
,tEz ,cut;ye rfH - Richmond Osiootr S 1862 b"