OCR Text |
Show 20 PERSONAL ADVENTURES cers; by which means it is supposed their greater alacrity and obedience 'vill be secured, and they themselves rendered more effective than mere mercenaries in the field. But by this cotnproinise there is nothing gained; the individual chosen is either some one who has held out liberal promises of indulgence and license, or sorne one whom government influence has succeeded in thrust· ing upon them. The result is, that they have two kinds of officers; a fe\v regularly educated and qualified for their position, but by far the greater nun1ber inexperienced and unequal to the responsibilities of military comn1and, and whose conflicting notions of its duties and requirementsgive rise to dissension disobedience ' ' and disorder. In addition to the privilege I have n1entioned, the volunteer enjoys others denied to the regular soldier. l-Ie chooses his own uniform, receives larger pay, and serves a shorter period; for which, and many other reasons, he considers himself co1nparatively a f~·ee agent, and possessing a right to exemption from the severe discipline of the arrny. IN CALIFORNIA. 21 I may, however, state, that the volunteers have frequently found themselves placed under officers, who, although disposed to indulge them to the very verge of 'veakness, were not inclined to concede to them their assumed right of disobedience, and who have not failed, in cases of insubordination, to teach them that, notwithstanding the many privileges they enjoy, they are, for the term of , their service, as much bound by the regulations of the army as the regular forces, and equally punishable for offences against discipline. But the volunteers never can become thorough soldiers, under the present system ; and I feel convinced that nothing but their individual daring and courage, under the direction of the few properly trained military m.en whose judgment and determination guided their reckless valour, and brought it to bear at the opportune motnent, could have carried them through the many dangers they had to encounter, or enabled them to accon1plish as much as they effected during the Mexican war. |