Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-27
General Haiteck on Military Com.
an0nders.

Cenersl Hal'eck Governor Morgan. the PEOPLE.
and last though not least every man whJ serves
IA a. RANKS. desire able ana competent military
men - cDnim nd our solunteer regiments But
no lees understands the necessity iOr such
commanders a. veil a. General II lleck la his
paper on the art OF war written after the battle
of Bull Run. ne is emphatic this very sul5ect
lie SAYS:
The present war is opening our ewes to this
error, and the disaster of Bull Run has taught os
that mere courage and numbers. without ins,ruc
ton or discipline. or competent officers 10 com
mand, are not likely very soon to restore the
tb0rIty OF the Government and the peace of the
country
War is the most comprehensive and difficult to
be understood OF all the sciences tor il embraces
nearly every branch OF haman learning. Hence
Il i, that while nearly every country furnishes
good chemists. bOtanists, geOloeisis. theOlOgians,
Juri~is nd statesmen. but very few skilled gen
erals have been found in ans age And vet in
our country il seems 10 be thought that anybody
will do for general or politician or petit
logger has only 10 put on epaueties, and exchange
his stump speeches or briefs for a sword in order
to qualify him to lead armies in the field, aud to
direct the difficult and complicated operations of
a campaign, siege or battlel While we must al
mire the braZen impudeuce of the individuals tho
make these sudden aud wonderful transformations.
il i difficult to understand why the government
which Is supposed 10 seek victories rather than
defeats, should appoint such men To command
our armies, ami Why people, who are supposed
to value their lives aud reputation should tolerate
themi IL mere politicians. who never drilled
company or read military book are TO command
our armies. why not make judges aud district at
tOrBeys OF masOns aud Carpenters who never read
"A law book or wrote u brief. 1t il only requires
piece of parchment to convert a politician into
a general. certainly the same magic process will
transform a blacksmith into Judge or a butcher
into a surgeon.
Washington. in his last Annual Message. Dec.
1th l196, IN urging upon Congress the impor-
lance of military Instruction. u>ei the following
language: "Whatever argument may be drawn
from particular examples specifically viewed,
thorough examination OF the subject will eyince
that the art of is both comprehensive and
complicated that il demands much previous
study; and that the possession of it, in its most
improved and perfect state, j. ALWAYS OF great
moment to the security of nation" Had We
given heed TO WaShinetons Farewell Address the
present rebellion would never had Oecurrei; and
had the Federal Government listened to the ad
vice contained IN the foregoing extract from his
last Annual Message. il would not be lamenting
the disasters OF Great Bethel and Bull Run.
The people are beginning to awaken 10 the i'm
portance OF military instructions; and they ask OF
the government that it cease appointing nOti-
clans, ignorant OF military science. to lead our
armies Men who pay their money aid peril
their lives ia support OF the war tor the Union,
have had enough of mastering" Generals; they
now demand that these be replaced by mon of
military experience and education.