Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-15
INTERESTING EROM ATLANTAI
The Effect Of Sheridan's Victory
THE VIEWS OF THE ARMY
ABOUT DRAFTING
Atlanta as a Military Post!
The Condition Of the Army !

dated Atlanta, September 25th, furnishes
the following
GENERAL sHERIDAE's VICTORY,
Has been the cause of much rejoicing
among the different armies The dispatch
es from Secretary Stanton, published by
General Sherman for the information of
the command, were read last evening to
the different regiments, while on parade,
and hearty cheers given-especially
when the latter ause announcing that
the draft was being enforced, was read
told how cheering and gratifying the news
was. They feel that the best armies of
the Confederacy are gathered about Rich
mond, and that each victory gained there
is of vast importance. They know full
well that when the bugles sound the strike
tents for this army, the work laid out for 1t
will be speedily accomplished, and are,
therefore, more encouraged to know that
there, too, the flag is advancing. .....
THE DRAFT.
The wires have brought no more cheer
ing news to the army than that the draft
is being enforced. There are many res-
sons for this, and that their (the soldiers)
motives may be understood, it may be well
enough to give few of them:
First. 1t fills the ranks of the old regi-
ments. The present system of volunteer
ing organizes new regiments, differed for
the most part by men appointed for poll
tIcal considerations by Governors, who
have more interest in their reelection
than in the success of the Government.
Then, this gives to inexperienced officers
the command of more men than are now
commanded by some Of our best Brigsdier
Generals. Then, too, under existing or
ders for the mastering Of officers regI-
ments under the minimum number, 743,
are entitled to but two field officers, lieu
tenant colonel and major. Thus, 1t often
happens that q lieutenant colonel COM
msnding a regiment of veterans, having
three years experience, is thrSwn under
| command of a colonel, of a new regiment,
| who, perhaps has had no experience what
| ever. The same reason holds good in the
case of company officers. Aside from the
/ gross Injustice done to veteran officers by
/ this method of organizing new regiments,
injustice full as great is inflicted upon the
soldiers in the ranks by increased detailed
duty, and from the want of that moral
effect that always attends a well filed re-
giments.
Second. It reaches class of men who
nave ever studiously avoided the per
formance of their duty. Some, who are
at heart enemies to the cause, and who are
unable to obtain a substitute, are thus
thrown into the service, and in the pure
atmosphere of the "front' soon learn to
respect the Government and cause.
The fear of being drafted compeis men
4 Al, of N or
in filing quotas, and thus many who would
otherwise discourage enlistments, become
the most active recruiting agents.
Third, and by far the most important
reason, and one offered by the two great
Generals of our armies, is that it develop:
the real power of the Government, and
the truly loyal OF the people.
POLITICS IN THE ARMY.
There are many reasons why this ques-
ton should not be discussed in the army
Our eitizen-soldiers, who have taken up
arms in this great crisis, who have left
their homes only for a while, to perform
the duty encumbent on every citizen
while they discharge those duties, cannot
forget or overlook their interests at home,
and are most certainly entitled to exercise
the his hest privileges of an American Gitl-
zen-the right of suffrage. Yet, it is not
to be supposed that this right carries with
it the great wrong, and curse of our 1coun-
try-pOlitical wrangling and eaucuses.
The camp is not the place for angry dis
cussion, for the exchange of miserable po
Htical abuse, or the circulation of petty
newspaper slang. THERE'S need ofharmony
snd good feeling in our regiments, brigades
and divisions, in the midst of battle
when the struggle is fercest, and when
the united efforts Of every officer and sol
der ars required. There should be 10
personal feelings or political animosity to
divide that force or palsy those strong
arms. To make the camp a csucus-rOom
or school for despi0able, political dema-
gogues, is ruinous to discibline, destroys the
finest organization, and that perfect un-
animity Of feeling and purpose that should
pervade every organization under arms,
| aud that has added so greatly to the gloFi-
Gus success ofthis grand army. Officers in
the heat and excitement of political dis
eussion, forget that Difference and respect
due to rank, and in the presence of men
and subalterus descend from the dignity
of their position and establish precedent
and engender feeling that would never
beforgotten. That deep, bitter hatred that
arises in political campaign in our coun-
try, cannot be avoided even here, if this
policy of encouraging political discussion
is permitted.
ATLANTA.
General Sherman has effectually accom-