The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-06-27

RG~ The refusal of the U. S. Senate to
confirm Major General Shields, seems 10
have been proper and just. Brigadier ard
Major Generals have been made with great
rapidty and with slight provocation. Tie
desperate lighting of the rank and file has
resulted in the promotion of several officers
whose gross military blunders necessitated
the hard fighting II appears to be the
misfortune Of the rebel Generals that they
fail of success where their generalship ought
to secure il, while many of our Off
GERS have gained reputation where their
plumbers ought to have retired them from
the service. The battle of Belmont made
hero of General Grant, when it ought to
have made him the subject of Court of
Inquiry if not a Court Martial. His man.
agement of the sieges of Forts Henry and
Donaldson added to his glory, while they
exhibited in more painful light his def
cheney as General. Surprised at Shiloh,
the desperate and heroic bravery of his men
again won a victory where his generalship
promised only defeat aud annihiIation.--
Several other officers have been promoted
Generals for acts that ordinarily make
ieutenants, captains and colonies.
We would not pluck solitary laurel
from any officers brow, but we are glad to
see an indication on the part of the Senate
to make the title of Major General worth
something by refusing to promote those
who acc mplish nothing worthy Oft. 1t
may be we'll enough TO make Colonies and
Brigadier Generals for personal bravery in
the field, but Major Generals ought to
obtain their only by creditable display of
brains as well as muscle.
Gen. Shields won reputation in Mexico
Eeckless dsshing and unfortunate Off
eng wounded in almost every engage
eut in which he participated, just when
his services were most needed. At the
commencement of the present rebellion, a
position ss Brigadier-G General was rendered
him which, after some hesitation, he ac-
cepted. Arriving at Washington, he was
assigned Gen. Lander's command on the
Potomac, then on its way to Winchester
While at the latter place, Gen. jackson at
tackled him, under the impression that be
was beyond the reach of re-ihforcements,
which was correct. Upon the FIST iudica-
tiona of engagement Gen. Shields, with
his usual recklessness, rode 10 the
ed him unfit for duty during the bloody
battle of the ensuing day. That be got
hurt, was his misfortune; that he attempt
ed to monopolize the credit of the victory
of the battle of Winchester, when he did
not issue solitary order, was fault. He
should have manfully acknowledged his in
ability to take the field and have credited
Gen. Kimball for the success of his army,
instead of trying to create the impression
that he directed the operations of the battles
on his couch some distance from the field of
operations. However, the Committee on
the Conduct of the War seem to have placed
this matter in the proper light before MEM
bers of the Senate.
When Gen. jackson made his assault on
Banks, and drove him out of the Valley of
the Shenandoah, Gen. Shields was ordered
to march and intercept the rebels This he
failed to do, by taking, as some suppose,
the wrong road to Strasburg. Why he did
not effect junction with Fremont there, is
q mystery we are not prepared to unravel.
Again, at Port Republic, Gen. Shields di-
vision appears to have been handled in the
most clumsy manner. Two brigades were
brown so far to the front as to be beyond