Year: 1861

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We see that this post is still vacant and that the


President is evidently searching diligently for a
competent person to place in it. For this Depart
nent military man is not required; but busi.


ness man of the highest order of talents. exne.
rience and energy. No red tape circumlocution
practitioner ought ever to be trusted with its i'm
portant functions The wellbeing, comfort, health
and efficiency of our troops requires man of
energy and action as well as of honor and integrity
He should be young, because the labor is i'm
mense, and active, because the field Of operation
is vast, and the system complicated.


Without wishing to be thought officious, we think
that we could name gentleman who has evary
qualification for the Office, and in a high derree-
one who has already displayed much merit in
Virginia, and who is one of our fellow.citizens
We speak of Mr.. Benjamin Bloomfield. who since
the opening of the campaign on the Peninsula
has been at the head of that Department, under
Major General j. Bankhead Magruder


When he entered upon his duties on the PENN
sula the Quartermaster's Department was entirely
norganized--eyerything was to be done-eyery
thing was to be provided. He set to work with
that energy and business tact which he possesses
to remarkable degree, and soon the effects of
ha iabors were visible. Everybody knows what
the army on the peninsula has cts brilliant
victory at Bethel-ts incessant marches. The
terrible trials it has had to encounter from scl.
ness aud weather is familiar to ALL yet little ur no
'foap'e' comparatively speaking, has been ex-
peFielcea on account OF any deficiency in sup.
piies rom hist 10 last everything went on
smoothly; and the credit of this chiefly ha,o,,s
to Quartermaster Bloomfield. 1t was shown that
he was the man for the place; and in addition to
fran 10 enb;o


lasting popularity with the rank and 6le of tho
army. His motto always was in his Office TO
remember that the private soldiers in the ranks
were gallant gentlemen, who had given up the
comforts Of a home and the society of their fami
lies ana friends to fight the battles of their coun-
NY ana ne did his best to make their position as
comfortable as possible. How far he succeeded,
themselves have declared frequently.


" hold 70 the opinion that the officer who has
hlled subordinate position with credit to himself
ana usefulness to his country, deserves promotion,
and that when high posts are vacant, policy should
dictate that such men should not be forgotten.


it was by pursuing such wise policy that Ma
poleon collected around him the CORPS of officers
whose efficiency was the admiration of the world
He never forgot the man who gave evidence of
talent 1t made no difference whether he was the
son OF peasant or noble, if he proved efficient
and faithful, his promotion was sure.


Many people hare wondered that Napoleon sue.
ceeded SO well in finding the man to suit him. We
do not see any cause for wonder. He had tried
Them, and, perhaps, had watched their course for
years. They were not chosen from fayoritism or
personal influence, but because they were compe.
tent. And so should it be with u.s. In our humble
opinion.


In times like these, personal and political friend
shlps should give place to the single purpose of
having the country well served. Officers who do
lnelr duty should meet with the encouragement
Que to their services. If this is DONE no mistake
Will occur, and President Davis will surround him
self with body of men who never make mistakes
or fail in their undertakings.