Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-10-14
RICHLAND.
Correspondence of the Augusta Chronicle Sentinel
The Presidents Visit to the ARMY

PALMETTO, Sept 26, 1864.
The visit of President Davis which has lust
terminated, Is the event of the calm we have been
enjoying and the circumstances that marked his
intercourse with the army and its officers have been
OF the most significant character. He came un
heralded, and without known object except as far
as he chose to diyulge his plans on the route. So
lar as those purposes were announced they were
to inspect the field in Georgia in person. to ascer-
tain the morale of the army, to endeavor to recon
Gle the differences that we're known to exist, and
to ascertain ard endeavor to accommodate the
wishes oil all, officers and men. How far these
aims were attained subsequent events must show
1t is useless and can do no good, to disguise the
fact that the Presidents reception was not an ELI.
thuSiastic one. On the contrary, il was cold -
There was no diSrespect manifested, neither was
there any enthuSiasm-nOne Of that general expires
sion OF personal admiration for "the man." that
characterized the visit made after the battle of
Chlckamauga The reception this time was given
to the President of the Confederate States" As
such no compliment can be made of it. And if
any would have it otherwise, they must at all times
remember that this army, We'll all the armies
of the Confcderacy, is mace up of thinking men,
and not machines, and govern themselves accord
mgly.
The time of the President has heen fully employ
cd in interviews with the Commander in chief the
corps commanders, reviewing the troops and final
ly IN protracted meeting with all the generals of
Nhe army rTOu lne outset IL was paIpaOIe mat
great dissatisfaction prevailed bnt ignorance of its
cause was expressed. Decacy, suppose, sealed
the mouths of the corps commanders. But the ex
preston of the troops could not be mistaken
They did not attempt to hide their feelings. And
so marked was the change III their conduct during
the grand review, as compared with that on sim.
lar occasion last fail that upon returning to head
quarters the President insisted upon being nform-
ed as TO the reason. Yet no one spoke out and the
consequence was a convection of all the generals.
My Information is direct that at this meeting,
from which Hood very properly aosented
hImSel, a full interchange of views to The con.
ditlon Of the army, its desires and feelings took
place. There was nothing concealed. The general
wish Tor u change Oi commanders was made known,
and by sOulc 1t was positively urged that change
was necessary 10 insure the morale Of the troops
There was no enmty displayed OSard Gen. Hood
all his eminent soldery qualities we're admitted ;
but the naked truth at another would better
serve to satisfy the wishes of the men, conCiate
existing differences between officers, and inspire
greater confidence throughout the " hole army, was
bluntly avowed. Tue President was no longer in
ignorance.
At the same moetin ngpreferences were expressed
for gsAN- com:DsnJtT, and Gems. Johnston ard
Beaurcgard were the great favoritRS-the former
however, receiving by far the strongest expression
in his favor. The sssemblsge separated after re.
celving assurances frOm his Excellency that he
would consider III his own mind the prOpriety of
relieving Gen. Hood and sending Gen. Beauregard
to the front; which declaration is considered here
as equivalent to saying that Gen. Johnston is out
Of the ring
The p esident was twice visited by organizations
Of the army, serenaded, and called upon for a
speech. He complied cheerfuily and addressed the
men earnestly and eloquently, as did also Gov
Harris, Gems. Hood aud Cobb, and others The
lovcfeast extended to the we sna hours ayont the
twa," and nothing occurred 20 mar the proceedings
except the vehement expressions Of the for the
change noted above. Under the circumstances
these should have been dispensed with, but must
remember soldier is free thinker if not free
actor