The New York herald., 1864-07-11

civil there soldiers or who have f0ught 10
many battles and performed heroic deeds but whJ have
never had any of their This appar-
eat neglect Is keeny iet by the American soldier IL
casts shadow on mis- countenance and sadness on his
heart With purely patriotic motives he exchanged the
comforts OF home for the pvatons OF the aad the
dangers OF the ued and the truly meritorous feels
dconsolate, II not dsgusled when he his services
practically ignored by beng passed by without apprecia
ton lie himself ssOf what avail is to
devote years OF my life to the serv ICE or
my country n, besides the scars 1 bear my body
have nothing 10 show thai / have done NV duty aud
that my services have been satisfactory my govern
ment ~ There exists imperative necessity for the
presentation Of such rewards In the hrst place deco
ration should be adopted, and at the same time
power should be vested In commanding generals
TO award il to the most deserving officers aud soldiers
When such rewards were presented IN the presence
OF the troops what Inspiring ndence the scene would
have upon the whole command. A feeling OF honorable
emulation would swell every soldiers heart The esprit
corps would be increased and interests OF the
service accordingly promoted.
PROMOTION PRIvArEs AND oFFIcERs.
The second mode by which the government can mani
fest its gratitude Is by promoting privates from the
ranks aud officers TO higher grades. ~ sometimes nap
pens that prvates In the ranks are better qualified to
command than their immediate officers. And could
mention the names OF many able officers who, either
from lack OF political influence, indisposition TO
employ in their own behalf, or from their native
modesty which disdains to claim that to which they
well entitled have not received promotion In the
ratio II the services performed. And at the same time
other officers who have neither the claims OF talent nor
or services, have had their bushing honors crowd
evil that should be corrected The only way 10 fur
nsh an eifecua remedy s to make promotion entirely
dependent upon merit The system Of promoting olcers
through political influence is unjust TO others and njuri
10 the service No person should receive promotion
In the army unless the recommendation has passed
through the hands Of his superior oncers from The low
est to the highest Not that IT must necessarily be ap
might some niiuence-but that II should re-
ceve from every one OF them that
the for the promotion OF ocer would
be accompanied by record OF his services. officers
should realize that their superiors have, in effect the
power make or mar them. That Is the only way
can have an efficient army. For otherwise II an officer
say himself as he may do now 81 am not at all
dependent upon the good opinion OF commander for,
through political influence OF my friends,
have rank equal to his own and presently perhaps
stead OF his commanding me, will pe commanding
him." instinctively chershes powerful incentive
INSTRUMENTATION lhave seen that point strikngy Illus
trated in this army and in this campaign have
several instances where not exactly positive
dsobedence OF orders by officers holding high commands,
but failure to promptly comply with them, has evi
IDENTIFY thwarted designs and plans which were carefully
conceived Prompness in the execution OF orders is
of the cardinal characteristics or superior officer The
OF undertaking often depends upou quickly
sezing golden opportunty-as the case the grand
exploit OF the second corps the 18th Of May, when 1t
captured whole division OF the rebel army spottsyl-
vania. The secret Napoleons by at
trbuted to that lost opportunity:
and officers should be rewarded promptly with promo.
.ion when their services indicates ability
ill higher POSITIONS for does not follow that because
Q ia brave he shah necessarly be promoted
because officer command company we'll he can
equally we'll command You often hear 1t said,
'.General So-and can handle brigade division
we'll but Is unable to do moren Thus there many
wherein distinctions should be made the kind
Of the reward-whether it should be decoration
OF promotion would consist not much in
the rank would give the sweet would
carry with IL that the honor thus conferred undoubt
edy deserved. remember occasion, after promi-
nent officer had been promoted from brigadier to
major general, the first time the double gilt
terng his shoulder and congratulated him, re
turnd his thanks and addedl can scarcely consider
my commission a matter for congratulaton, a
mark OF honor because it was made out with batch
Others they couldn't help instead OF being dated
from the battle Of -" omit the Of the battle
the OF the general intimately
ted with IT,
general should commensurate with the extent OF
command Not only unpleasant feelings but actual jeal
ousies awakened by officers being placed others
OF equal and seniority of appointment. Indeed
important In POINT, and the particulars OF which
will not Civ has occurred today. II major general
commands division higher grade should be given the
commander Of corps, and higher still the commander Of
army. It might be- If you please, lieutenant general
would settle the question OF seniority 10
stant, and would stimulate younger officers TO put forth
renewed exertons to win the dazzling prize held be-
fore them.
/ SUBSTANTIAL GIFTS.
The third mode by which the government can reward
its distinguished servants IS by giving them substantial
arduous service and after you heaped upon
them all your highest honors If they deserving still
provide vner declining by the bestowa Of
Rnnuities estates other valuable possessions II IL
would be considered Inconsistent with the spirit
our republican institutions their costly equipages might
whatever substantial honors might be associated with
their would also prove powerful incentive 70
the emulation OF their important services by young
men OF only their times but Of future genera
| tions.
| coycIusIoN,
But must bring this already lengthy paper close
The interesting nature not less than the Importance OF
the subject has led me 70 say much about It, While
hoped that tho proper authorities will give imms
diate and practical attention to the subject. The
Of the soldier the interests Of the service and The honor
0 the government all equally demand It.