The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-25
ImPRoyIwFNrs an THE An


When the attack on Sumter called into
existence an army Of freemen numbering its
hundreds of thousands, the land was totally
unpTepared for the havoc which was at once
created when Mars ''let slip the dogs Of war"
The hosts which rushed Immediately to the
defense of the Capital were nothing more than
a patriotic, brave, yet undisciplined mob. The
energies of our generals were needed to teach
them the very principles of military law. To
shoulder and present arms were esteemed
requirements of no mean value. The MEM
bers of those few military organizations which
existed previously were at once created re-
ferees, and all questions of martial usage
were, without dispute, referred to these Solons
for settlement.
The generals, therefore, on assuming com
mand, found themselves hopelessly impeded
in their work by unavoidable ignorance of
their commands. The Nor, cried for an
! advance their discretion dictated preparation.
SCOTT yielded to the forward to Richmond"
cry, and Bull Run was the result EXpe-
rience produced discretion. The best mill
taryminds Ofour own and other countries have
been directed towards the organization Of
our army, beneath the most sSlltul disciple
narians. From this mob it has be-
come equal in discipline and organization
to any in the world. AT the beginning, the
whole military arrangement consisted of a
series of units, each being regiment and act
ing entirely distinct from each other.
But such condition was incompatible with
success, and General MCDOWELL improyised
brigades, but under his command they were
not carried into practical efficiency. But
shortly their demand became imperative, and
not only were brlgades created, but divisions,
consisting Of two or more brlgades, were
called into existence. Beneath more ex-
tended experience the French corps d'armee
first formed by the staff of the Emperor Ma
PoLEoN /, has been introduced, and its aid
in perlecting military discipline proved Two
or more corps, when united, form a grand
army-grand not only in name, but in the in
dividuals that compose it, in the general who
leads it, and the cause which impels it to
victory.
We may yet, however, greatly improve oul
military division by initiating the example
set forth by the South. When it first rose il
rebellion, it had at its head, men who haC
been for years examining the advantage
and defects of the system of war as pur
sued in all foreign LANDS. By comparison
with the results OF the study Of years, and tn
labor OF a lifetime, which are frequently ex
pended abroad in pertecting a science, the
have been able, in forming their armies, t
avoid the defects which impair our system
Acting in accordance with the inlormatiO
thus acquired, they have created di1eren
ranks of general officers from those whic
exist in our army.
They have a brigadier-general commandin
a brigade, major-general a division, lieutenant
general corps, and general an army. Thi
is an Improvement. In our army brigade
or even a colonel commands division.
number Of other great improvements hay
been perfected in the hosts OF rebellion. bu
we doubt not that ere long all their sugges
tions win be more than adopted, as 500
as our gallant LieutenantGeneTal ha
subdued the Southern power by capturing th
Rebel capital. The Improvements we belisy
win soon be made, no we expect the nelessar
preliminary events Wilyory shortly be accoD
plished,