92
WAR PREPARATIONS IN THE NORTH.
enthusiastic efforts of some energetic volunteers who were naturally made thecommissioned officers. But not always. There were numerous examples ofself-denial by men who remained in the ranks after expending much laborand money in recruiting, modestly refusing the honors, and giving way to someone supposed to have military knowledge or experience. The war in Mexico in 1846-7 had been our latest conflict with a civilized people, and to have servedin it was a sure passport to confidence. It had often been a service more inname than in fact; but the young volunteers felt so deeply their own igno-rance that they were ready to yield to any pretense of superior knowledge,and generously to trust themselves to any one who would offer to lead them.Hosts of charlatans and incompetents were thus put into responsible places at