Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-28

country st large.
This remark calls to mind an incident which illustrates
my meaning. After the battle Of Chcksmauga, two
gallant privates and two officers who had so much and
so publicly distinguished themselves to be mentioned
by name in the reports OF their several Generals,
were detailed by Gen. Bragg tc proceed to Richmond
with the twenty-five captured Aags, and transfer them to
the proper department The embassy arrived with their
precious burden the standards taken from them
without comment, unceremoaOusly tumbled into wa
gon and accompanied by negro, driven to their des
Jnatou. Here we're i've gentlamen-herOes represent
ing the gsantry of the whole Western Army, bearing
With them the witness of its proud achieVemens-trO-
phes around which boasands he'd struggled and poured
out their LIES bloOd-empoyed upon mission, which,
10 any other country, would have been welcomed by the
spontaneous OutpOprng OF grateful people, and re-
Warded BY the appreciation OF the Government Yet
they wsr5 allowed TO arrive unnOtoed to remain with
scarcely SOfd of recognition treated like mere er-
raniboys or what is the same ike miserable, uniDau
entail priyates they WERE while their valuable charge
vas turned over in an guogiuious manner to the eff
eius of the War Department
Had these five brave fellows worn the stars of briga
der generals and appeared in behalf of army to lay
its trophies at the feet OF its national mother, do you
not think Messrs Editors that the occasion would have
been one to call out every man, woman and child in
your city and eEtort from them, well from the
Government tribute to the brave troops they repre-
sented2 Unfortunately, We are a practical people,
The community a. home are blinded by the chase
after riches, that sentiment is utterly ignored while
sons Of toe pubic officers themselves would TO
bave come 10 the conclusion that tho armies defending
Richmond are simply So many walls to receive the hard
Knocks while they rsmsin safely enscOnced from dan
ger, taxing all tho comfort.
Glory may be Only a name, but by all that is just and
grateful render in fullest measure to the brave men
hO deserve IL and the next time you get an armiul Of
captured Hlgs il the Government don't make the ocea
sion one more important than marks the reception OF
any other batch Of flannel let the people give tho bear
ers selected by the army a right royal welcome that
shall be talked about their return while encourages
their comrades to enac fresh deeds and win brighter
aOGOrs.
L. was by stimulating and rOwsrding heroism that
made Napoleon irresistible and gave hiu his greatest
MArshals. With the material o. which our armessare
composed, we too may snow a Legion Of Honor OF
whom pOsserity sbal be proud but all the Gey round
ed sentences and touching tributes ever written by the
Presidential pen, weigh nothing against one substantial
acs which recognizes the gallSntsy of individual,
humble thOagh be be- aud through him strs the heart
Of an army.
The effect of such legiOnary formation in every
command would be wonderful. It's importance has al
ready been discussed BY prominent officers aud scknOw-
lodged 1 present the subject in only aspect
suppose that two, three five ia evsry company,
after every battle for espec al act of gallantry,
should DO transferred the Legion of Honor of the
regiment or brigade Hos long would it require for an
organisation of this kind swell to brigade ITSELF
70 division, and eventually to 8 corps? Who can es-
innate the influence that such body Of veterans would
.xers upon every Heldthe confidence with which they
aoCld be regarded by the remainder OF the aray-be
splendid spirit, discipline and character of men who
ueFer knew pang OF fear animated in charge By the
thought that the eyes of the whole country upon
them, end the fortunes of battle hung upon their
cess and finally the pride that would urge every man
to win his way similar honor, and rival bs cOmrsdss
in their bravest bearing?
Ia this connection, may add tLaT It has been sug-
gested by prominent Western General, that the
airy might be reformed upon a similar basis In the
army of ROsserans is brigade composed of men whose
courage approved infantry, has been rewarded by
promotion horseback while thereCreant cavalry have
been compelled TO dsuount and take their places The
result Of this organic ton has been the most powerful
and to US the most dangerous, enemy our mounted
roops have yet had encounter and before whom the
latter have repeatedly been forced to retreat.
Were such plan adopted ia own army, the caTsl
~ service might speedily be elevated to PEOudest rank
Of soldiers aud be made the formidable -four
service have been informed that in order to avoid
battle il G notorious device smog some of our cav
airy to disable their horses by burning and cutting their
bsess, or lAmiBg them by means OF fine wire bound
around The elock so render the animal perfectly
useless for service and dispense with his rider. Such
mel deserve to be pu! in the Infantry, where they will
encounter the full measure of exposure add as Rose
Grams has agey dore their horses should be given to
those whose bravery foot has proven that they will
not be recreant 70 their duty when mounted.
The corps Of Longsreet, excepting in point Of trans
portstiOn, IS upon its Virginia fOOting--the men
al seasoned, well clothed aud, about to add con-
tented Go where you will, however, the lOngings to
get back TO the good old Mother Of States and States
men" are grepressble. Our troops had become as it
we're, domiced there aud every foot Of its worn
soil ia a. familiar to them their own hearthslones.
They had learned 10 know the people, and appreciate
their hospitality and the contrast presented here is so
striking that they do no fail to carefully note every
distinction You hear the talk about old tor
aging expeditions, heaps Of good things bought and
gwen while visions of golden butter, nice brad, eggs
and chickens stand in the portrayal of past joys
wildly az any monument they have ltft behind them
No better indication Of the feeling is afforded than by
the music Of our bands Garry me back to Old Viz