Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE ARMY. 281
thus govern as much through the affections as the fears. iHe
should not attempt to enforce all the minutiae of military
etiquette, but insist upon a complete observance of all the
essentials of discipline. Above all things, he should know
how to govern himself; and though mild and forbearing, yet
be prompt and resolute, when occasion demands. HIe must
set an example of submission, vigilance, and zeal, in his own
person, if he would be respected and cheerfully obeyed.
Volunteers are ever ready to regulate and justify their conduct by that of their officers; among them "a choleric
word" is as "flat blasphemy" in the captain as in the
soldier. Most men like a tranquil and even-minded officer;
stern and severe if necessary, but firm and unchanging.
Indeed, a respectable dog's life, would be preferable to that
of a soldier who is continually subjected to the caprices of
an insolent, ignorant and irascible officer, puffed up with a
power he knows not how to exercise. Volunteers in taking
the field, are apt to suppose that courage is the only essential
quality to be desired in their leaders. Let them beware how
they place themselves under the command of brainless bullies,
whose vanity, arrogance, and overweening conceit, may be
as fatal to their success and welfare as cowardice itself.
While we garrisoned Monterey, certain important military
events transpired, which demand a passing notice in this
rambling narrative. Our government at length perceived,
from the hostile tone and attitude of Santa Anna and the
Mexican Congress, that it would be necessary to carry the
war to the gates of the enemy's capital ere a peace could be
obtained: "Ja amais on ne vaincra les Romains que dans