Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-11-11

Confidence in the military capacity of the Gener-
ais is the first prerequisite to every and any success
and when once this is lost, when the subordinate Of
fcers and men cease to regard their General with
exalted and Implicit trust, all discipline is gone, and
the prospect of usefulness grows dim and unpromi.
sing. That Gen Bragg no longer enjoys the conf
dence of his army cannot be disputed since it is as
serted upon evidence that We cannot question, that
every Major General of the army, except Breckin-
ridge and It. Gen. LongStreet (restrained by con.
sderations Of personal decacy,) united 10 memor-
iallziug the President for change Of commanders.
These division Generals spoke not only their own
sentiments, but represented the army, and.wth such
feelings, between the army and its commander it is
impossible that success can attend that army. A
separation must take place; either General Bragg
must cease to command the army, or we fear the
army will soon refuse to he comm ,nded by Gen.
Bragg. This reported memorial, if actually presen-
ted to the Presipent places upon him the response.
bility ofGen. Bragg's continuance; and more than
this all future disasters which may attend that army
will be directly chargeable to the President if be
persists in retaining Gen: Bragg We put it there
fore, to the President with all the earnestness of
friendship, that he will not take upon himself so
fearful responsibility; but yielding to a necessity
which, however much it may be regretted, cannot
now. be obviated, remove an obnoxious commander.
and give increased efficiency to splendid and gal.
liant army.
Were General Bragg possessed of all the military
genius that ever graced commander; unless his
army had confidence in him, he could never accom-.
plish with it. what less gifted, but more trusted
commanders would easily attain 10 persist in re-
tanning Gen. Bragg, after this memorial, will be
showing an utter disregard to the expressed wishes
of gallant and meritorious officers
But is there sacrifice that General Bragg should
make? lIeknows the state of feelings between him
self and his subordinate Officers. Will he not for.
getting his own personal wishes, demand removal.
at least that another General be appointed to the
command?
Every friend-not every fatterer-wll advise
General Bragg to the difficulty that is alleged
to impair the usefulness of the army, by declining
to command where he DO longer enjoys the conf.
dence Of his subordnates Snch an act of selfsacra
fee would be the practical exemplifcation of the
noble sentiment that our friend Marlborough" has
quoted 1t would. present him to the country as
preferng the success of the to personal graft.
fcation. We implore him as we have the President
to solve this difficulty by requesting the President
to call General Joseph E. Johnston to the command
of the army. 81
The recall Of. General Johnston to the com mand
of that army would be the practical ourying of hos
tile and unfriendly feelings that have already done
ircparable injury to country's cause. 1t would
be the Inauguration of an Of good feelings from
which would date our final success The whole
Southwest would hail such recall as the harbinser
of returning victory. y = ~ $50
With General Johnston in command and General
Ho1 second, Of Chief Of Staff the usefulness Of
-. Sa called into service, the preiu.
lsefulness not
ged the great
70. which we