The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-30

kn0U it, for our army is one that reads and
thinks. This spirit of discomfort is augmented
by many causes of a special nature. For ex-
ample. 4. They have not for months been
paid. Shameful and nexcusable in the Gov
eminent 2. The stagnation, ennu;, dissnst
suffering, sickness and discomfort of CAMP life
IN winter, without winter quarters amid Vir-
/ Sinia mud, cold and rain. No small hardsbips
can assure you; and it is doubtful if any regi,
lar European army ever had to submit to equal
ly great ones. 3. General feeling of despon
dency, resulting from mismanagement and our
want OF military success. This begins to tell
painfully on them. Their splendid qualities
their patience faith, hope, courage are gradu-
ally oozing out Certainly never were a gray
er, glO0mler, more sober. sOmbre serious and
unmusical body of men than the army of the
Potomac at the present time 1t is a sadden-
ing contrast with year ago
Inc ultimate expression of the spirit which
for time finds vent in ''croaking is desertioa
l regret to say the practice is becoming alarm
ingly frequent-thirty or forty day, as hear
from good authority.
With snch a condition as this: with an
Administration which .distrusts the army
and an army which distrusts the Admins
tration; with an utter lack Of central
knowledge and power; with men in high
places plotting for the succession; the
remedies proposed are:
/. Let military operations be conducted by
! the military leader in the field. =. Consolidate
the old 1hinned regiments, many of which do
not count up to n single COMPANY in all 3
Punish deserters and spies. /. Dismiss dsloyaI
officers. s. Reform altogether the system Of
absenteeism. q. Pay the men and give them
work to do.
The above may all be very well, but the
voice Of the soldiers would still demand
MCCLELLAN for leader The letter says
there are three projects on foot, each Of
which is about equally probable OF cxecu-
| tom INTIEoE's plan Of breaking up the
army, which is termed the worst OF all;
| the appointment OF another commander,
either SUMNER, FRANKLIN or HOOKER.
SUMNER is falt to be in his proper place
now; Franklin, the correspondent says is
"a good soldier, ii man Of intellectual parts,
ana OF more brains than most" bat alas
for the country, she is OF the MCCLELLAN
strpe.'' Next comes HOOKER, but he will
only take command
| On one condition to which the Washington
authorities have not hitherto shown themselves
| willing to submit-abSolltc control OF the AZ
! my. independent formation of military plans
| and untrlnleled execution Of them. He makes
| this the condition S;Ac qitH lioH.
The third project is a fresh attempt
against the rebel army, under the same
leadership as the last. III which ease We
can only hope ior the best. The men, OF
course, will do their duty, but without en-
thusia>ln, or confidence of victory The
following is tue conclusion Of the letter:
The result of Il View Of the situation is not
cheering: and it would be folly to deny it.
Better that we look it calmly in the face and
try to alter it. At the same time, it is impor-
tlnt not to eXa@gcrate the dark side of the pic
| ture. Ii is well to limit the force 81 special
| facts by the remembrance that there is always
certain amount Of centrifugal elements in
| every army, every war; every crisis in human
affairs The only question is, il there be sut-
| ticient cohesive force 10 Keep lis from sheer
| dissolution. | repeat everything depends on
the Inauguration OF the Indispensable reforms
| indicated.
Sad sad it is to look ut this superb Army Of
| the Potomac the match OF which no conqucrUr
! ever led-thio Incompatible army, lit to per
| form the mission the country has imposed upon
! it-paralyzed, petrified, put under blight and
! spell; and. on the other hand, the noble nation
| bleeding to death. and pouring out the rich
! wine of its life in vain.