Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-02-09


military affairs In this department, was ex.
tended to the House on Saturday by the
intro iuction into that body of the Senate
joint resolutions praying the President of
the United States to make change in the
commanders of this department, and also
to install in the vacated place some such
officer as Major General Sigel or Major
General Milroy. AS might have been ex-
pected the resolutions and the debate upon
them. stirred mp no little feeling, and it
really seemed as if the enemy, 80 long in
pursuit of an apple of disc ord, had really
found one at last whereWith to array the
Union sentiment in the legislature against
itself. 1t is very natural that those who
have suffered deeply from the recent, and
preceding, rebel raids, should feel not only
sore but ceus6rious, and that in default of
any more visible and tangible and RESPONSE
BILE authorship for their misfortunes, should
lay them to the account of the commanding
General. The whole history of this war
exhibits just such state of things. In no
department has the cry not gone up from
time to time against its commander
30 much SO has this been the case that the
people Of the country with one accord
have become distrustful ofevery man who
has command, and are still waiting to
see man for the times appear somewhere
in some department. Think OF the arrows
and the fierce dennuciations that but a
few months ago were let fly against Gen.
Grant-against the man for whom every
body now has good word. Think of the
fate of Rosecrans, but yesterday SO de-
vOutly trusted by the people. Think of
the long line of commanders who have
come and gone in the Middle Department.
Think of the fact that where five Major
Generals have "risen, reigued and fallen, !"
Brigadier General now holds acceptable
sway. Aud this, too, in the face OF our
prayer for Major GENERALLY Israel want.
ed King, that they might be like the
heathsns round about them. A King was
given them in divine wrath. Who knows
but visitation in the shape of a Major
General may be in store for usP After
what We have seen in the Middle Depart.
ment; after the example, too, of Missouri,
may we not hope to escape the iufliction
Ota Major Gsneral-a man with two stars,
and two stars only, to distinguish him
from subordiuates many times his supe-
rlor 10 all the considerations of common
seuse2 We have had one Major General
What came of him! Whore is he now 2
Are We not SHINING without excuse in the
face of light and knOwledge7,
But, seriously speaking, what, we ask
is the expectation beyond and after Gen
KeIley's rsmoval2 tits easy to undo. but
"what cunning hand shall repair that
which is undOns." Without prejudice or
Partially we can say for ourselves that
We know not where to look, were IL given
US to choose, for an officer who would At
the end of six months be hailed as the
right man in the right place. We have had
Rosecrans and we have had Fremont, md
II the affairs of tue territory now included
In the Department of West Virginia were
any better controlled under them. or If
they gave any better satisfaction in anv
respect, then an uugratefuIpublic has neg.
lected to make known the fact. And now
what do We propose, suppOsiug we get
changer Surprising we get Msjor. Gen.
eralf Will he stop the rebels from their
raids with the same number of troops at
his commando Can be take up General
kelley's tools and work to better advant.
age with thsmR 1.-The can, then we say by
all means let US have change. We ore
oil tired Of these everlasting raidsP Who
aud what can prevent them while Lees
army remains where 1T is, except more
men-nOt more officers
So long as We have War Departmsn.
so long as its subordiuates are held to a
direct aud rigid accountability SO long as
30 little can be. known by outsiders As to
the actual responsibility of General for
the accidents and incidents of his com,
mand, so long are We 10th to see him
summoned before tribunal having no
Jurisdiction in his case, and made ~ Nm.
sWsr' outside of the regulations and ar.
ticles of war, to charges and spsoifca.
tons involving, ten chances to one. ooD.
traband information. If'Geusral HsIlsol.
should relieve Gen. Kelley, We should sav
all right for We would feel reasonable
assurance, in that event, that what he did
was for the best. As long as General
Hallsck, with his sources of information.
and with his superior military judgment
does not see cause to relieve him, it in no
sense becomes us to pronounce against
him. Is Gen. Halleck trying to ipjute or
punish the people of this department -
Csrtainly not, 90 the contrary, is there
a man among US who does not believe that
Halleek is doing the very best he knows
-. E....L,