Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-10-19
Correspondence of the Augusta Chronicle Sentinel
The President's Visit to the Array.

Correspondence of the Augusta Chronicle Sentinel
The President's Visit to the Array.
PALMETTO, Sept 26, 1864
The visit of President Davis, which has just
terminated, is the event of the calm we have been
enjoying and the circumstances that marked his
of the most significant character. He came un
heralded, and without known object except as far
as he chose 10 divulge his plans On the route. So
far as those purposes were announced, they were
to inspect the fed in Georgia in person, to ascer
tain the morale cf the army, to endeavor to recon
cile the differences that vere known to exist and
to ascertain ard endeavor to accommodate the
wishes Of all, officers and men. How far these
aims we're attained subsequent events must show.
1t is useless and can do no good, to disguise the
fact that the Presidents reception was not an en-.
thuslastic one. On the contrary, it was cold -
There was no disrespect manifested, neither was
there any cnthusasm-nOne Of that general express
sion of personal admiration for "the man." that
characterized the visit made after the battle of
Chickamauga. 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 oil times
remember that this army, as we'll as all the armies
Of the Cocfederacy, is made up Of thinking men,
and not Machines and govern themselves accord
ngly.
The time of the President has been fully employ.
ed in interviews with the Commander chief, the
corps commanders, reviewing the troops, and final
ly in protracted meeting with all the generals Of
the army. From the outset it was palpable that
great dissatisfaction prevailed but ignorance Of its
cause was expressed. Dscacy, suppose, sealed
the mouths of the corps commanders. BaSthe ex
preston of the troops could not be mistaken
They did not attempt to hide their feelings. And,
so marked was the change in their conduct during
the grand review, as compared with that on simi.
lar occasion last fall that upon returning 10 head.
quarters the President insisted upon being inform
ed as to the reason. Yet no one spoke out and the
consequence Was convocation of all the generals.
Ny Information is direct that at this meeting,
from which zen. Hood very properly absented
himself, full interchange of views as to The con.
ditlon Of the army, its desires and feelings took
place. There was nothing concealed. The general
wish for a change Of commanders was made known
and by some it was positively urged that change
was necessary to insure the morale of the troops
There was no enmity displayed toward Gen HOOD
all his eminent soldierly qualities were admitted
but the naked truth at another would bettel
serve to satisfy the wishes Of the men, concistt
existing differences between officers, and inspire
greater confidence throughout the whole army, wa.
bluntly avowed. The President was no longer il
| ignorance.
! At the same meeting preferences were expressed
for new commander, and Gems. Johnston aIt
Beauregard were the great favor,tes-the former
however, receiving by far the strongest expression
in his favor. The assemblage separated after re
ceiving assurances from his Excellency, that b,
| would consider in his own mind the propriety o
relieving Gen. Hood and sending Gen. Beauregart
to the front; which declaration is considered her
as equivalent to saying that Gen. Johnston is ou
of the ring.
| The President was twice visited by organization
of the army, serenaded, and called upon for
speech ae complied cheerfally and addressed tn
Harris, Gems. Hood and Cobb and others. Th
lovefeast extended to the we sms' hours ayont tn
twa," and nothing occurred to mar the proceeding
except the vehement expressions of the men for tn
charge noted above. Under the circumstance
these should have been dispensed with, but we mus
remember soldier is. a free thinker if not FREE
| actor