The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-02


H6- Special notices 10 cents line.
The Genius, Character and Organ
fzation oc the Confederate Army.
From an interesting and spirited
article in the September Crescent
Monthly, by j. Quitman Moore, of
Mississippi, we make the following
extracts, treating OF the genius, cha
racter and general organization of the
late Confederate army:
The army Of the late 'sConfederate
States Of America (the glorious
name Of that bright meteor power,
now quenched, that shook its radiant
splendors on the flaming crest Of
MarsH was an eclectic or excepted
system from the high military models
of Austria, Prussia, France and the
United States. 1t was beautiful and
complete model of thorough scien-
titic organization, full of interest and
instruction to those who wish to learn
how to make war terrible and de-
structive, and, above all things else,
that sprang from the master hand of
that directing and all-informing mind
that stood at the head of the South
ern revolution, attested its command
ing genius From Austria, was taken
the admirable organization of the
grand field staff; from Prussia, the
firm and compact general military
anatomy; from France. the model Of
its field ordnance and scientific artil-
lery theory and practice; and from
InIf Sfn&0
nomy, its infantry equipment and
drill, its army regulations and its the
ory Of military man9uvre and stra-
getic practice. West Point confronted
West Point, and accounts in great
measure for that phenomenon so in
expiicable to the criticism of the
foreign lool1ers-on-great battles
fought, with 10 marked or decisive
results attained General Lee and
his adversaries made the same moves
on the hostile field that they learned
to make on the chess board of the
common parent academy. Jackson,
alone, repudiated West Point, studied
Frederick and Napoleon, and, as a
consequence, achieved more brilliant
results. in brief career of twenty
months, than the whole array OF emf
nent commanders, Federal and Con-
federate, combined, accomplished in
four years of war
The organization of the Confede-
rate army was a finished piece of
military mechanism, meth odical, har-
monious, composite in all pertaining
to its exterior, practical arrangement;
but there was a fatal defect in its in
terror, vital economy-a morbid, or
ganic derangement-that defeated
every hope of healthy bodily action,
preyed upon the seat of life, and
caused its ultimate dissolution. That
disease Was the absence Of discipline.
If it had possessed this one impor-
tant quality, the battle of Sharpsburg
would have declared the independ-
ence of the South General Lee
crossed Over into Maryland, a fort
night before the happening of that
battle, with $4,000 troops; but, on
that field, he could only put his hand
on 30, 1000 of that number. Not that
this more than moiety of his army
had wilfully deserted their colors;
but, allured from their commands by
the profuse hospitality of the people
of Maryland, they fingered behind
the advancing army, thinking to re-
join it in time to share its laurels.
Such conduct the systems of Fred
erick and Napoleon pronounced de-
sSertlon, and inhexibly punished with
death: The great body of the rank
Aand file of the Southern army was
composed OF social element that, in
the armies of other countries, is seen
only in positions of command and
authority; and the officers elected
from among themselves, and often
their social and intellectual interiors,
left matters Of authority and subordi-
nation to take care of themselves,
while their only care was to make
their reports correspond from day to
day; and grave delinquencies were
connived at in the same way that col
lege students deem it badge of dis
Aor 10 act the part of informer
against their associates. Under such
n general relaxation of authority, dis
cipline was impossible; and the South
ern army was nothing more than an
association of patriotic gentlemen,
animated by the enthusiasm of
common cause, and regarding army
regulations and discipline as designed