Year: 1863




The recent order Of the War Depart
ment, consolidating the companies Of rcgi-
mcnts that fall below certain numerical
force and dismissiDg the surplus officers
after the consolidation is effected, is, though
perhaps m unavoidable military and fnan-
cial necessity, harsh and unthankful
measure. We are afraid that its practical
working will be to drive out Of the army
the very best officers contained within its
organization, and to destroy among the
men that esprit du corps upon which SO
much Of the efficiency OF our troops now
depends. Let US, for example, take one of
the first regiments sent to the field from
this State. 1t fought gallantly' at Belmont,
at Fort Donelson, ut Pittsburgh Landing
and at Vicksburg. Its numbers, re-
duced by casualties and by disease,
have not been kept up by new enlistments.
It's companies are less than half the maxi
mum strength; but the official roll is full
It has glorious memories. On its banners
are inscribed words, that, Us long as We
have a country, and as long as men love
heroism and practicc patriotism, will never
be forgotten. Its Colonel, now skilled and
always brave, dear to his men for his gal
1antry in the fight and his tenderness in
camp, Is the impersonation Of the history
That the heregiment las made. The Captains
and licutcnants have. in o less degree, the
same hold upon the affection and admira-
lion Of those with whom they have shared
danger and won rcnown. The regiment
is q family, yet, under the order, its head is
to be dismissed, and half Of these commls-
STONED officers are to follow him home. The
Lieutenant Colonel commands; and the
retention or dismissal of all in the grades
below him, whether commissioned OF non
commissioned, depends upon the right
Judgment Of the division OF corps COM
manders. This is q sorry piece Of bust
nessl In view Of it, we ask why were not
the priVates, as they are to be thus moved
about and taken from their old associa-
lions, permitted to exercise the right Of
choice IS to who should command then?
Why WAS the principle Of election by the
majority set aside, and why was this new
and arbitrary rule established There is
many Colonel, who, for the sake Of his
country, out Of lore for those who have
brayed death under his leading, and from
desire to perpetuate and enlarge the glo-
ries that his regiment has won, would have
been glad to waive his rank and accent 8
reduced command and smaller pay. Many
. Captain would have stepped cheerfully
into Lieutenant's shoes, rather than turn
his lace homeward and his back upon his
countrys enemies. The men are compc-
tent to select They now know who is
and who Is not fit to command them; and
as their lives are the forfeit for their mis-.
takes, they would choose wisely.


We are glsd to sec that the order is, A.
ne expected it would be, the cause Of great
feeling where its execution has been at
tempted; and though we know, as we'll Is
the Secretary Of War himself, that some
measure Of the sort must be Hgidly en-.
forced, We know also that it it is not too
late to take backward step and give the
men the right of choosing their comman.
ders, company and rcgimental-a right o1
which they ought never TO have been de-
priyed. By no policy can individual cases
:: Of hardship be avoided. Officers must re,
tire from the service, whom all hands
would be glad to retain; and we are not ol
those who say to them, that, if they still
Fantto tight, there are untitled places in the
ranks. That is insult added to injury To
consult the wishes Of the men where the
men are competent to decide; to make tl,c
selections Of battalion and companv Off.
Gers With IN eye solely to the efficiency a,
INC army; nnd to reduce the cases Of hard
snip to the smallest possible number, art
the wants Of the situation; and these, few
but important, the War Department car
meet by single stroke Of the pen. Tn =,
act in which justice and policy unite VIII,
Ehou1d there be hesitationP


GREAT GUNS AND IaoS-cLAns.