Richmond Enquirer
April 27, 1861
The hope of the enemy is that some time will be necessary to organize and render efficient the forces that have been raised in Virginia and the other Southern States, for the present emergency. They have rushed forward to their country’s standard at a moment’s warning, the most of them without any experience in the battle field, and many of them without even the advantage of the militia drill with which the soldier is familiar. So say our Northern enemies. They should not deceive themselves. No people in the world are so accustomed to the use of the implements of war as the men of the South and the South-West. No people on the face of the earth are so much to be feared in hand to hand conflicts, both bayonet, small sword or bowie knife, as the defenders of the flag of the Southern Confederacy. The Yankees know all this, and at heart fully realize (no matter what they may say) the magnitude of the danger which they incur going into a war of invasion of the South.
The want of organization and discipline will doubtless be felt for a time in the Confederate army; but for a short time only. The forces of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Florida have been for some time in the field, and are now fully arrayed for battle. The forces from Virginia, N. Carolina and the other border slave States, which have been raised by the first blast of the bugle, are composed of the best material, and will be ready for effective service in a very few days. They will have the advantage of the best military instruction that can be had upon this continent; a number of the most distinguished and efficient officers of the late United States army being now actively engaged in our service. Gen. Scott is reported to have said that he would rather have received the resignation of every general officer than Col. Lee—now Gen. Lee, Commander of the Volunteers of Virginia. Besides Gen. Lee, we have now here in Virginia, Gen. Johnston, Gen. J. B. Magruder, Col. Ruggles, Capt. Carr, Capt. Maury and others, all eminently distinguished for former service under the Government of the United States.
The Confederate Troops have confidence in their Commander-in-Chief—Jefferson Davis. They look upon mind as a council and his arm as a host. He is, indeed, one of the few men of the age who combine the Caesarian faculty of writing with the pen, speaking with the tongue, and fighting with the sword.
The army of the North has no advantage over the Confederate troops on the score of service or discipline. The former is composed chiefly of raw recruits, the most of whom are but little skilled in the use of the weapons which the Southerners handle with such fearful dexterity and effect.