Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-02
From the Ne,o York Times OF MAY 26th.

From the Ne,o York Times OF May 26th.
WEST POINT VINDICATED-In our recent exposition
of the almost universal failure of civilian commanders in
This war we reserved judgment upon Major Gen ge and
Major Gen Butler preferrng await the issues of the
Important enterprises in which they were then engaged
The results have been developed They are of a
Character to round off completely demonstration that all
oil our commanders without regular military education,
incapable
Major Gen Sigel had the advantage of some military
experience in Europe, but Of thorough scientific educa-
non lhe skill eyincsd by him in managing certain
treats 10 Inc early part Of the gave the country high
idea OF his military aptitude He was transferred to Vir
glna and served in the Pope campaign but it was soon
shown that he not equal to the responsibility put upon
hitn The Developments in the Fitz John Porter trial
made 1t clear that there lack in Sigel Of the
son OF purpose and the aggressive energy demanded by
The Juncture This occssoned his being withdrawn from
acnve command To crafty his German country men, we
suppose he was given another trial in the present
Paign He was sent with strong force TO effect juno
uon with Crook break up the Virginia and East Tennes
see Railroad and If possible, and hold Lynchburg.
But IN the early stage Of his movement be suddenly
set upon by Breckenridge beaten and compelled to re-
treat tie decidedly failed in bis enterprise that Major
Gen. Hunter at dispatched to superseds him
We have now heard the last Of Sge high commander
IN this war.
shp in the earliest period Of the and sustained the
first discontinue at Great Bethel about weeks before
Bull Run. The battle Of Great Bethel, however, was
hardly test Of his real generslshp he not person
ally present That battle planned by Msor Winthrop
as proved by private memorandum Of the latter aud
was lost chiefly through his early fall and the bunders Of
certain colones But Major Gen. Butler perhaps justly
had to the responsibility Of it, and bis public
vice aerWard mainly confined to administrative du
lies until his present expedition to the south Of Richmond
the special designs Of which TO destroy the Peters
burg railroad connection to prevent Besuregard from
Enforcing Lee and to threaten Petersburg and Richmond
The movement took the enemy somewhat by surprise and
in its early stage quite succesfu-so much that
General Bner teegrsphed to the War Department that
Gen. Grant will not be troubled with any further rein
forcement to Lee from Beauregards forces" But the
prediction was not verified Besuregsrd with his army
passed Butler, and is now il Richmond
Gen Butler ADVANCED his army to the forfcstions Of
Richmond on the south. Gen. Gilmore with the Tenth
Army Corps By great skill and yaor carried the western
part Of the works for extent Of three miles and secured
very advantageous position. Gen. Gilmore, who is
known to be Of the most scientific officers the army
pressed upon his superior, Gen Butler the necessity
entrenching. Gen Butler thought it unnecessary The
consequence that the oggy morning Of the second
day AFTER the rebels swooped down upon the Eighteenth
Corps at the right and took troops at such dsads
tage as to gain great capturing two guns and
nearly three thousand prisoners, among whom Gen
Hickman, one Of the most splendid fighters in the army
After three hours fighting retreat was ordered BY Gen
Butler to Bermuda Hundred seven miles in the rear
where he now il, behind his entertainments closely be-
sieged by the enemy
Ihe Evening Post-a paper which has always shown
great Partially for Gen. Butler-pubshes an account
which II says, came from authentic SOURCE whereby
1T shown that it Gen Buffers compliance with
Inc request Of Gen Gilmore to entrench which made the
nttack OF the enemy formdsble and that il was Gen
Buffers repeated and peremptory order which caused Gil
more 70 take up the line IL retreat after the latter had
satshed himself that he could successfully msntan his
position ana had expressed earnest wish TO be allowed
20 50 accounts from other sources public and private
corrOoorae this There be no doubt that Gen Buer
hrst displayed undue confidence and aerwsrd updne dis
couragement-tbe faults Of all others csn
commanders The consequence that ground has been
which cannot be recovered without great expenditure d
blood several thousand have been put hors On eob
the enemy again in full possession Of the Richmond and
Petersburg railroad and two corps Of army a. brave
men trod cooped up the banks Of the James
river TO all appearance almost helpless aud useless In
other words, the movement from the Peninsula, which
obtained such suspicious start has not been ty
famed BY Gen. Butler, and has turned out veritable
miscarriage.
ms failure completes the record. Not solitary
c'ihan from the beginning Of the war until now has
SHOWN himself competent for high command The want Of
professional training Just AZ sure 70 make military char.
tstaDs as to make legal medical charIatans