Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-15

EEw hAsKsT, VIRGINIA,
Nov 28th, 1864. (
The appearance of article from the pen of z. W. A.
the correspondent of the Savannah Republican,
justly censorious and shows little knowledge of the
whole truth that deem it of justice the
my discuss the questions relative to the degeneracy OF
this corps, and endeavor TO prove his error.
The correspondent referred to- alleges that drunk
which has defeated u.s. and threatens
position of the maefactors by if the thing
rected. He puts little upon fact of the rein
to Sheridan. make an accurate
of the writer's words but hope give the spir
N of his remarks
those who have been with the army during the ardu
duties of this campaign from Richmond to Washington
who had portuntes to judge correctly as to
what things have conduced to Djure the eiency of the
troops Little need be said to convince them to the true
We do rppose to offer anything original bu:
found these remarks mainly upon the views of officers
whose military Judgement reliance be laced, and with
whom we most heartily as-ea.
IIe experience of this has shown that "a lid a1d
continuous marches are highly productive of loose discp
line, for various and obvious reasons.
i , Ill be remembered that when army left the
reL, Richmond that raDks very much de-
peed by battles since the hv2sl1n Of Msryla IN 1862
and that this depletion had tenued greatly the dsorg
In hs Condition we eu.hed on to hence
to saem tnence to Rarpers Ferry to Washington City
ms,.bS. IN ,b We aecom
day made at salen at saunon, then only
army and to give the men the much needed repote.
harpers Ferry we in line of battle days. and
then marched rapidly to Warrington, were in
line battle days only resting after reaching
LsesbQrg This march was accomplished from June l3th
30 July lAth period OF less than month. For eight
cen successive days made tweRty three miles a day,
and the remaining time the average twenty hall
miles. Thus it W be that time allowed for
the enforcement of disciplinary measures necessary
the we!I-being of army. How, and in what manner
continual motion Affects troops preventing the
OF needed discipline will suggest Itself to the mind of any
one acquainted with the details of an army
The fragmentaTy and temporarily consolidated eemepts
formed by wing into under strange
ooers who did take the il thete men as
their own was another fruitful source Of Those
we'll acquainted with the arrangement an army
VIII remember that the majority of troops vou.
teers, and sucb selected from among number
10 De 6cers and the idea among them
that these officers only they compelled obey and
respect With such state OF feeling existing easy
perceive how muc disorder would follow depletion
companies of both officers and mep We are well aware
army, although will be remembered that Ewels corps
was engaged more than any other during the bLoody
&ay, ana with the most fatal efsct.
AholneF very uluul of evil, enG which has
increasing the armies the Confederate
5As I at sast TWO years past, the democratic
0eacy ol no Any orotrs curtaing the reg
mental commanders, and almost diVestsr company com.
nander of what little power he had and how con it b.
expected that such orders would have any o
than to put and officers on tool nr ms
M much TO be deplored great CALAMITY for ont of if
Rr0Ws such vast amount OF evil.
W. are aware that the enQncl6tiOn of
VII nset Wh indignant rebuke FROM many but the his
sotS o Me sonouc Of armies in all ages has taught as
"e as VI more than three bloody years, that strict