Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-28
The Campaign in the west.

= we nave placed IN another column the commeutS
of the Richmond press upon the character and re-
suits of the campaign in the West During its
progress we have forborne the expression of an
opinion, hoping that the confidence reposed by the
press and the country generally, in thessuccess OF
Gen Bragg, might be more than realized
We confess that the results, so far as his move
ments are concerned have not disappointed us.
From the day that 1t was announced that Gen.
Beauregard had been relieved of the command in
the West account of i'll health, we have had our
misgivngs; and those misgivings gave way to fear
full antcipations, when we saw that Beauregard was
not re-instated upon his recovery.
Every-man worth any thing has his peculiar fit
ness for certain positions. Few men, and especially
few Generals, are well fitted for any and all posi-
tons. And what is little remarkable in this
country the universal mind of the masses discovers
this especial fitness of General for particular de-
partments of the public service much sooner than
rulers. The history of the nation proves this.
Gen. Beauregard, at very early period, impress
ed the public mind as by intuition, that he pos
sessed greater versatility of talent, as a military
man, than any of our Generals. Whether employ
ed in projecting deences for seaports planning
battle or campaign, in camp or in the field, he
is the right man in the right place. Gen. Lee, with
larger experience and unquestioned eminent ability
as military man, possesses this rare quality, yet
there is room to doubt whether, in all respects, he
is Beauregards equal
The same public judgment has designated "Stone-
wall" jackson as the dashing, impetuous and sue
cessful leader of his corps to intercept, way
lay and destroy the enemy and defeat his combina-
tons. And with the same correct precision, this
judgment has long settled down upon Sterling Price
as the man to rally our hardy western boys beyond
the Mississippi, and to free Missouri, Arkansas and
Texas.
Gen. Bragg though perhaps too rigid, is splen-
did dscplinarian, capital engineer and defender
of Notifications. His defence of Pensacola was emf
nently satisfactory to the country. He was the
man to have been placed in command at New Or
leans as soon the war broke out That great
vital interest of the South would have been safe in
his hands. He does not grasp quickly the exigen-
cies of heavy campaign, or the rapid strategic
movements of an enemy, but whatever comes with
in the scope Of his eve he does well and ably. This
is the public judgment of Gen. Bragg, and it is
doubtless correct
HIS plans for his recent campaign were married
by the hardness of his movements. He might have
crushed Buell. between Chattanooga and Nashville,
but that was not in his plan. Had he ordered Kirby
Smith to fall back upon Cumberland Gap, after he
disposed of Nelson then to have used up Morgan
at the Gap and FASTENED to his assistance he might
have destroyed Buell., re-captured Nashville, and
found Kentucky opened to him. Yet the advan-
tage of Kirby Smiths successes was neutralized as
much or more by the unfortunate and foolish idea
of invading Ohio, gotten up by the panic presses,
as by the hardness of Bragg. As matters now
stand his only safety is in retreat which he is do
ing, having large train of stores accumulated in
Kentucky to guard and provide for.