Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-18
REBEL MILITARY GENIUS.
Longstrcct, Joe Johnston and the
Vacant BrigadiershEPs.

E4OHENAEefts SOc JOhGAAOA ahu
Vacant BrigadtershfPs.
The New York EUeninq Ma,
takes offense at the casual remar
of the Republican that 'on man
accounts it is to be regretted tina
we are not yet far enough advance,
to take advantage Of the splendi,
military talent of the South TIL
Nal expresses the opinion tina
"the gallant regular officers, gradu
ates of West Point before the war
who remained true to the flag,
would not appreciate such mag
nanimity. Now, if we may ven
ture to assume to know as muct
about the regular army as the Nail
we would assert that, setting aside
the single selfish consideration tina
increasing the number of appli
cants would diminish their own in
dividual chances of promotion, the
officers of that service generally
would give a cordial welcome to Q
fair proportion of appointments
from among the distinguished sol.
diers Of the South. That fact alone
does not make it right or desirable
nor did we express ourselves 1nally
or unreservedly as in favor of such
a course; but only intended 10 give
expression to proper and patri,
otto feeling of regret that the army
of the United States should, from
any cause, be deprived of at least
one half the highest military talent
of the land.
Our difference with the Mail is on
two points. The Mail understands
that the regular army is main
tanned, if not chiefly, at least among
other thing, to reward the gradu-
ates of West Point who remained
true in the recent conflict, On the
contrary, we regard it as the pur
pose Of an army to have the most
perfect instrument attainable, for
attack or defense against the public
enemy, There are seventeen gen
eral officers in the army, besides de-
partmental officers holding that
rank. Now we do not suppose it
possible for any sensible man to
assert that seventeen men can be
taken from the late Union army,
and not include eight, at least Oct
US be that much PATRIOTIC who are
surpassed in every military qualifi-
cation by citizens of the United
States who followed the Confederate
fortunes in the war. Nor does the
Nal seriously believe that if Ewell,
Longstreet, Malone, or Dick
Taylor were to accept positions in
the United States service, they
would, in any such reasonable con-
tingeDcy as 1t becomes 4 statesman
to consider, plot against the coun-
try, refuse to obey the orders of
their superiors, or act any other
wise than as brave and faithful
soldiers. If tins is SO, the reason
for excluding them must be either
to punish them, or to reward loyal
officers. As to furnishing any
man, at this time, for par
ticipation in the rebellion, the
views of the Republican are too
well known to need statement here.
Nor do We believe that the country
can afford to reward even the most
faithful and well intentioned officer
by promoting him TO a position in
the military or civil service, when
there is better man for the place.
1t is right to give a preference, and
a considerable preference, to Union
officers; but when it comes to a
choice between Joe Johnson and S.
p. Heintzelman, the country sac
rifices a good deal for the sake of
rewarding an Indifferent sort of
hero, If it chooses the latter.
The second error Of the Mail, as
we conceive it, is regarding the ad-
mission of late rebels to the mill
tary service, as something peculiar
ly dangerous. But why? Many
Of the Southern officers, it is true,
went with their States in the war
but did not the Southern politicians
also? Nay, there was this differ
ence: that almost every Southern
officer threw his influence against
secession until it was inevitable
and accomplished, while the poll
ticians desired it, and plotted it
and forced it upon tie people. Take
Fwell, for example, Lees ablest
3 Lieutenant, after Jackson, whom
he succeeded. If there was a MAJ
in the South who honestly doPrc
capted secession, demonstrated
against it, and strove against ii tC
the last, il was Richard S. Ewell
Now, as between the soldier anl
politician in this case, we woulC
trust the soldier, and admit him frs
10 favor. Take Longsteet, there i
not a more truly reconstructed MAJ
in the South than this bold, yigiIan
and sagacious soldier. His loyalty
is mchallenged; his political disa
bilities have been removed by
special grace Of Congress; were b
TO enter Congress as a Senator from
his native State, he would receiv
a perfect ovation But it seems (,
be regarded as a something littl
less than treason to express a re
gret that the sword of SO accom-
plishcd a soldier cannot be at hi
country's command.
Now, this seems to us sometime
very like nonsense. A disloy,
y General to-dsy would not be ha
as much to bc dreaded as a disIoya
senator yet you shall meet scoI
OF men who will advocate the TT
moval of political disabilities to OH
who darcs to speak above his breat
Of appointing Ewell or Longslre'
10 commands in the army. We al
willing 10 admit that such a ste
would be a serious one, and shouI
not be taken withoutample deliber;
ton; We do not advocate it in an
sense as a thing to be done at on,
or done anyhow, but we shall tai
the liberty torepeat that it is a phi
the United States cannot avail itsC
Of the splendid military talent
the South; and we believe that !
long time viii pass before the SO
test in the army or in the State W
he ability and present loyalty. Do