Year: 1861

There was, no doubt more than one mistake
committed in the expedition to Great Bethel;
but It Is not improbable that they might have
all been corrected it, when tho force was fairy
in the presence of the enemy, the commanding
officer had known how to handle his men. FOR
not less than three hours the brave fellows
Of the several regiments stood the fire that was
poured in upon them from the heavy guns of the
battery, without thought Of retiring; and we
do not doubt that, could there have been unity
of fee,ing established among them from conscious
ness that they were directed aud moved by single
mind, governed by q definite plan and fixed pur-
pose, the whole body could have been marched
up to the very caDnon's mouth and have forced
the intrenchment at tue point of tho bayonet
Had that been the result announced Instead
Of the disaster which rang over the coun-
try on Tuesday morning of last week, we
need not point out how different an as-
pect affairs would wear at this moment,
both On this side aud the other. The great
want ON that occasion. We think we may
venture to say, was the want of cooperation,
and this cooperation was wanting because the
commander was ignorant. We shall be fortu-
nae If the is the last battle we lose from the
same cause.


We do not know that Gen. Butler has been
exposed to any blame for the disastrous and dis
graceful affair at Great Bethel. but if he IS, 1t is
unjust, supposlng the attack was justifabe at
u If tho thing was to be done, be used the
beat material he had for it, and If 1t failed for
want of better instruments, the fault was in
those whose duty 1t Is TO provide those instru.
ments, Gen. Butlrr has under his command, 10
aud aoout Fortress Monroe. probably not less than
Is, 900 men. These are manly recent recruits, OF.
ficered for the most part BY men with as little ex'
perience, and not much more knowledge than
themselves. However excellent general Butler
may be, it is impossible that he should be able
to 50 superintend the organization OF 90 large a
body of men as to render them fit to take the
field, and quite impossible that he should iodoc-
trinate their officers with knowledge Of t,ctics
and strategy which will enable them to handle
large detachmeuts when there, or to conduct OK.
peditiOns to q successful issue.


1t is evident, therefore, that he needs help
the help of men capable from military education
and training to make soldiers aud command OFF,
GERS. If throughout his whole force the could
be a sprinklirg even of subaterns who have seen
service, aud who can teach uen the details Of
camp life, and Of officers who can train them to
military discipline. they would be of immense
service. But he has one want which is absO.
lutely imperative, if his force is to be trustel TO
do anything more than to stand on the defensive;
he must have Brigadier-Generais. Captains and
Colonrls Of limited knowledge and experience
can be- used to d. good service, aud act with
credit to themselves, provided every brig ,de has
all accomplished General at Its head. Gen.
Butler need not want for these. There are
in the army Colonels perfectly fitted to fill such
posts, aud no better use could be possibly made
of them than to promote three or four and
sond them to Fortress Monroe.