Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-16
JUSTICE TO THE VOLUNTEERS.

The Army and Navy journal is en-
gagged in criticising our volunteers for
the lack of discipline it says has been
exhibited in many camps.
one would think. after reading its arti-
Gle on this subject. that this fault Is
one peculiar TO the volunteers. and that
the regulars are exempt from 1t.
Any fair-minded and intelligent man
would expect that there would be less
OF discipline i'm a large body Of men, cali
ed into service from the pursuits Of pri-
waite life, than from a body that has
had years and years of training. and that
has over it highly-skilled officers. We
admit that the discipline of the volun-
teers IS not equal to that OF the regulars,
bu. we would ask If the discipline of the
regulars is what it ought to be?
Some of the colored regulars, while in
Florida, committed acts of violence
against the persons and property OF citi-
zens of that State. They pillaged sa-
looms, and broke into private houses;
they intimidated a sheriff, and released
"a prisoner; and, while travelling from
one town TO another. they freed n prison
er. who was on board the train, in the
custody Of a deputy sheriff.
These and many other acts of violence
are chargeable to regular troops OF the
army. And If any Of the offenders have
been punished, that fact has escaped our
observation.
We do not argue that, because some
'egulars have been lacking in discipline,
I'll are. or that volunteers are Justified
n following the bad example thus set.
Oh no; but we would have the Army and
Navy Journal reminded that here IS a
fruitful subject. upon which it would bet
Ter write. as soon as it has gotten through
scolding the bad volunteers.
That there have been many short
somings upon the part Of the volunteers,
we cannot deny. Many Of these are
chargeable TO bad appointments of Off
cers-men unfit to hold the commissions
they received. But many others are
fairly chargeable to the fact that the
regular officers over the volunteers failed
10 do their duty in regulating camp life,
and in putting the volunteers in good
training.
II the Army and Navy Journal wishes
10 be fair. let 1t now point out the faults
or the regulars, as it has pointed out
those OF the volunteers.
In our opinion, all of the delinquencles
OF the volunteers, summed up and raul |
tiplied by 100, could not equal in enormity |
the wrong done the soldiers. and the |
country. by the selection of death-breed-
ing camps; camps without water; with |
out adequate transportation facilities;
without suitable supplies of provisions.
AT whose doors is that monstrous fault
10 be laid? Are the volunteers respon-
sible for II, or were these camping
grounds chosen by officers Of the regular
army: That's "A question the Journal
would do well to inquire into.
Ii the Army and Navy Journal sincere
ly wishes TO improve our army. regulars
and volunteers, let 1t not con6ne Itself
to picking out the shortcomings of vol
unieers only. Let it show up the War
once, too. and tell the country the truth
about the souabble between Miles and
Alger; between Alger and sternberg; be-
tween Sampson aud schley. and, above
ali. Jet IL explain why such places as
Tampa, Miami and Montauk were chosen
Tor camping grounds; and why some Of
our regiments were decimated with
lever upon such naturally healthful
ground as chiekamaugal Was IL a vol
un'eer officer or a regular officer tina,
exercised authority over C~hickamauea2
when We read the one-sided observa.
lions OF the Army and Navy .Journa, wo
are more than ever impressed win Tho
necessity for a thorough investigate,
OF the conduct Of the war. Ana I'VE a..
sist that that investigation should n.
made by Congress. II will not do for
us 10 stand quietly by. and see the fault
OF the administrator unIoaded upon tho
volunteers.
Secretary AIger has aIrsssv undertaken