The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-23
FROM CORINTH,

money
can be Saved to the Treasury-Omfnous
symptoms-Nexv Troubles between Cora
inth and TuscumbIa-Dificu uItIes in the
missouri 22d- Gem. Mitchell, OF the
EAahsas brigade under Arrest, etc, etc.
Correspondence Of the Republican,
CoRINTH, July l3.-During the spring cam
palgn the efficiency of the Western army in
point OF drill and discipline unavoidably de-
terlorated to considerable extent. While
active operations were going on there was, Of
course, but little time to devote to the cultiva-
tlon OF these essentials, and hence, as all other
human skill is gradually lost by want Of
practice, there was steady loss of the ac-
qulrements that make an army efficient In
some respects, 1t is true, the army improved.
Ihe troops became Injured to the worst hard
SHIPS OF campaigning, and before ALL their
nghtlng metal was tested and strengthened in
the crucble of battles. But no one that can
speak sdvisediy upon the subject, will contend
that the troops now know the diffent branches
OF the drill well as before the opening of
tue spring campaign, when Just fresh from the
schooling of months, that the ties of discipline
are now as closely drawn as then. Again, il
Is a notorious fact, that many regiments of the
armies Of the West were really not fit for
service when they were ordered into the field
some having been enrolled hardly as many
weeks as others months
For all these reasons, it is gratifying as il
was Indispensable, that every day of leisure is
now beng faithfully devoted in every part of
Gen. Hallecks army to mending the defieien-
cies ia these stated respects. Orders, reouir-
ing systematic drilling for as many hours as
circumstances will permit, have been issued
for some time frem the general headquarters,
and they are now being rigidly enforced in
every division. The cantonments indeed,
have become regular camps of instruction,
and In few weeks the army will be more eff
cient than it was at the commencement of
aggressive movements in the early spring.
Ihe condition of the country requires that
the most rigid economy be practiced in every
branch of the public service, and hence it is
imperatively necessary that the great waste
OF the peoples money by the tolerance of su-
| pernumerary officers in the army should be
stopped without delay. Everybody in the
service knows that the number of officers in
every State is entirely out of proportion to
their effective strength. There are regiments
that cannot turn out more than from two to
three hundred men, and yet they have q full
set of field and the greatest portion of line
officers. To see an officer to every ten or
fifteen men is no rare spectacle. The expense
| OF this absurd and eXtravagant excess OF
shoulder straps is SO much money thrown
away. Let the numerically weak regiments
be consolidated or filed up at once with
cruits, SO as to eithsr get the epaule;ted drones
out of the way, OF give them an opportunity
to earn their pay. Undel The present circum-
stances, even officers anxious TO render them-
selves serviceable TO the Government that
compensates them so literally, are debarred to
q great extent from usefulness, by this preva-
lence of supernumeraIics.
Since day before yesterday, several large
ammunition traiUs have passed through Cor
nth on their way to the several divisions.
This Indicates that an extensive and early use
of lead and powder is looked for b. the CONF
mander-in-chief. The heavy field artillery
has also all been placed in position 20 the
south of the town-the several batteries, pro-
vided with large supply of ammunition
bomb proof magazines constructed-in short,
everything put into a state OF readiness, for
vigorous reception to the enemy at short
notice. No one seems to know, however,
when and where hostile demonstrations are to
come But it is believed in military circles
that the retrograde movements of the rebel
forces, in Central Mississippi, mentioned in
my last really means concentration for often
sive purposes. l trust that the suppositon is
correct, and that the enemy will, by coming
up and attacking us, save our troops the hard
; ships of hunting the down in these dog days.
Rebel marauders have again been depreda.
ting on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
between here and Tuscumbia. The particu.
lars of the operations are not known, owing tC
: the reticence of the military authorities upon
the subject. The interruption of the train!
: during the last two days, however, shows tha
!, the damage done to the road was considerable
: There is rumor of the capture and destruc
: ton of train by rebel cavalry, but l canno
voueh for its correctness.
l learn that there is serious trouble in the 22C
e Missouri regiment. Nineteen officers are salt
: to have rendered their designations TIL
IS cause of the difficulty is the impending consol
idation of the 22d with the 10th. The officer
Ii of the 22d are very anxious to retain their reg
g mental organization, and have their rank
g filled up with recruits. They aver that th
9 hard service seen by their regiment render
$, this matter of simple justice to it. As th
- consolidation would of course, be followed b
3 the vacation of number of commissions, th
opposition to it is but natural.
s "Internal strife of vast dimensions is r.
g ported to have broken out in Kansas brigad
n Gen. Mitchell has arrested and preferre
Is charges against number of prominent officer
ID but per contra, he now also finds himself undt
W arrest upon the charges of some of his suba
terms His complaint against the former res
nt upon disobedience to General Order No.
II, while he is arraigned for incompetency,
ar we'll as dereliction of duty. If Gen. HAILED
intends to mix up with the squabbles of Il
IL Jayha"keIs, ne nad peseei n0No wv -,
81 aids appointed to take the matter in hands,
q, else he will find half of his time occupied
's' jayhawking sins of commission and omissio
le past and present.
on Col. Lee, recently appointed from the Majc
ity of the Kansas 7th to the Celonelcy, vi
Jennison, mustered out of the service, has 6
rived, ana takes command of the regiment.
81 have not yet been able to ascertain how t
ue news of the dismissal of the great jayhawk
was received in the regiment.
~ The weather continues oppressively hot a
~ to keep comfortable under its melting inh
- ences in this semi-barbarous locality, Is t
-, problem now mainly occupying the Northe
,nsa sojourners.
THE bill reorganizing the Supreme Coz
| 4 ohoc of II For