The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-31
HOW A DEMOCRACY MAKES
ITS MILITARY OFFICERS.
Natural Leaders Became Officers
The Civil War and Plattsburg.

To command this host there were not
at the beginning more than two OF
three hundred loyal West Point grad
yates available. Yet at the end OF
the war more than 10000 officers were
mustered out of their volunteer rank,
and many thousands had been killed
or disabled. How did the Union army
get all those officers and how had they
managed to learn their business?
When we read about Plattsburg
the thoughts of old timers turn to the
civil war period and to those smart
shoulder strapped older brothers who
raised such n tremendous boom In
the sword and gold lace market.
When the first call for $4,000 volun-
teers to serve three months was is
sued by President Lincoln on April
Is, 1861, the appointment OF regimen
tai officers was in the hands of the
Governors of the States. There 1t re-
NAMED, indeed. throughout the war,
except as to the 100000 United
States volunteers" (mcstly colored)
and certain other corps: but a sort
OF comfy between the Federal Gov
eminent and the States was reached
In this regard and a great many regi-
mental officers were appointed by
Governors Mt the recommendation OF
the Secretary of War. This tendency
developed as the war went on; but
at the start it was almost altogether
a State and a local matter.
The initial material for officers Of
the volunteers consisted OF the com
missioned and non-commissioned Off
GERS of the organized militia. Most of
the militia regiments went out early,
generally very much ~reorganiZed.
Many entirely new regiments were
formed. In those new regiments
young men who were captains
in the existing militia were made
majors and colonies, while the colonies
were often commissioned as b%rigadier-
generals. Young West Point grad
yates became colonies Of volunteer
regiments. Non-commissloned officers
and even privates in the militia be-
came captains and lieutenants. The
whole original Seventh New York
Regiment vas practically transformed
into an officers battalion before the
var was over.
There was vast confusion between
the State and Federal authorities. a
confusion which none but a Stanton
was able TO s%traighten out. The States
had their generals as we'll as colonies,
captains and lieutcnants. General Lee
took the field as the commander OF
the troops of the State of Virginia
and General Mcclellan as commander
OF the ohio volunteers.
At first there was generally an at
tempt TO predicate some sort Of mill
tary experience for an officer, though
even on the first call some young Off
GERS went out who knew the division
Of a battle no more than a spinster.
In these cases the officers devoted
themselves To the assiduous study Of
Hairless Tactics, used their eyes and
ear to good advantage as soon as they
reached camp, and generally got on
very we'll.
Drill clubs existed in various
parts OF the country, a rough and
ready attempt in the Plattsburg d.
rection. As all the trained officers
were early at the front and the COM
l'N'AlN viii Z SEAMS aA "'ih AZ
The volunteers in camp, these drill
clubs were sadly amateur affairs. Some
distinguished officers began their
careers in them. just the same.
An excellent example Of the system
OF officer making in 1862 is afforded
by the case Of Colonel Thomas Went
worth Higginsun OF Massachusetts,
who commanded the raid Of the two
black regiments. the First and Sec
ond South Carolina volunteers, on the
expedition TO Jacksonville, Fla. In
1868. At the outbreak of the val
Higg!nson was "a popular Unitarian
minister at Worcester, Mass. He had
been a leading and very radical anti
slavery agitator. lie had never had
any military experience in the militia
or elsewhere. but was a man Of great
personal fierce, as well as Of grace; a
gentleman, and very tall and Of dis
tingulshed appearance. lie was Of
fered at once the position OF major
in the Fourth Battalion Of Massachu-
sets Infantry. but modestly declined
II on the ground Of personal %uuiitness,
But In the meantime, as his biography
iNAdNtss lt J'4lA'i ' ul4lA NlAlbS, NN'N
lessons in fencing and studied mill
tary tactics early and late; and in
August. 1862. he accepted a c~aptaincy
in the Ffty-first Massachusetts, vol
unteers mine months mem. 1t was
when he was in the training camp
with this regiment that he was APP
pointed colonel OF the South Carolina
black regiment, one OF the first or
ganiZed. His was a case of getting a
captaincy on personal distinction and
known ability, the state and Govern
ment being willing TO trust the rest
to the officers own diligence.
When 1t had been quite thoroughly
demonstrated at Bull Run that 5000
men and three months could not put
down the rebellion, Congress author
lied n call for 500. 900 three year
men. Volunteers fockcd to the
standard, and then the task OF get
ting officers began I'm earnest. Now
the three months men were coming
home, and every Intelligent and per-
sonable man of them who wanted to
go out again was sure Of a commits
sion. The serGeants OF the three
months service now found themselves
captains. or first lieutenants NJ the
least. Many who went out as privates
Oh the first call were now made lieu
tenants, and afterward rose rapidly.
However, a great many went out as
privates again and remained privates
throughout the war, For the Fed
eral authorities and the Governors OF