The New York herald., 1863-08-17
General Onicers ef the Army.
20 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

When the history Of this rebellion 70 be written,
the writer and reader viii be puzzled 70 discover tho
principle upon which many Il lead~:s appointed,
and they will be astonhed 70 find that whiIstn
selected from their known qualifications
soldiers for brilliant action In the field in many
others pot only had such merit existed but the
known 70 be perfectly untitled for the places
had been guilty OF acts both cvh and military, which,
any country would have debarred them from the
privilege Of wearing the uniform Of private In the
ranks. much less the star Of general officer
1t may be safely asserted that in other onlight.
ened country in the world could . man be
selected for high and responsible military po-
sitiou who, going amongst catholic and slave
holding people, would attempt 70 conciate them,
when concation both the policy and the doctrine
q the government, by publishing proclamation, the
main features Of which radical abuse Of the caho
lie religion and OF slavery; could such remain
10 position after adding TO such positive DISC
bedence OF the orders Of his superior officer matter
wherein he chose to sten rather TO tho dictates Of
mOrbidy diseased mind than 10 the well settled
policy OF the government. cnunciated by his
commanding officer, whom he to obey.
Nowhere else could man be promoted 70 the highest
military grade whom, in place Of showing high military
upon the neld he had unormay been distinguish.
cd by total absence Of SUCH and have been reported
by his commanding officers, whose sole qualification ~
for the position blind endorsement for the tine OF
vacilang government In particular policy, regardless
OF any consideration 10 whether that policy was con.
sttutonal or calculated 70 benefit the country.
Nowhere else could man perfectly unused & arms
fresh from civil lie and who never heard shot rcd m
anger In his life, DO appointed 10 the position OF major
general without first being tried In subordinate post
ton no had the VI a or could give the
necessary direction 10 face regiment about, should the
enemy suddenly appear In Its rear
Nowhere else could man be selected for promotion TO
general ohcer who notoriousy the least lifted for
colonel OF any 10 the command and who, In place II ever
having shown any military capacity courage o
high order, had been distinguished by want OF both
and whose claims upon the position consisted simply In
having political influence enough 70 thrust him into pe
sltion he could Oil, oven against the protest
Of those who knew bis unntness for 10.
That mistakes necessarily arise N selecting such
large number Of general officers ~ the commsncement
OF great war not MI be wondered At but enough
do necessarily occur without adding 10 The number By
selecting Tor promotion known 70 b perfectly UNIT
ted for and In regard 70 whose unntness such repre-
suthorcs no excuse for the appointments
with such appointments how can We hope 10 succeed
against an easny who plaoss no mAs m rsponsoss po
ali ~ Il ID true sometimes ny men, and when they
40 mot come no expectation Of the authorities sss
them aside and Wy Others ous me ouoe % ar nas been
ssde and believed that In but single he's the
sppo,nsmsns Of general ocsr ever been rcvuked, and
IN @ ras he o
dustou and ne6cisncy, shere strong talk OF his being
rslnstalsd and assigned command.
a sns ososItv Imposed upon officers absent w,hcut ssvs
nj being reduced 10 the ranks provided that o1cers
rcuerais and a notorousy incompetent for their pos
70 serve a. rivaes the rush or the starr msbs ~, bs
10 great aad with nothing but political or nswsuaper
influence 70 recommend them would think twice before
ana cps % or another sS.h ,Sss
might nl better, but where they would have
no power 70 slaughter Drawer aud better men.