The Daily Dispatch: June 17, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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The virtue of discretion.

The hardest lesson which our soldiers have to learn in this war is that ‘"rascally virtue of discretion,"’ which yet is a virtue, and one without which valor may at any time fall a victim to cowardice and treachery. They have already routed their enemy with such wonderful case that they may be tempted to rely upon their ability to whip them without any vigilance, precautions, or regard to time, place or numbers. Let them fall into no such perilous mistake. That is the very mistake their enemies calculate upon. They do not and cannot question Southern courage, but they do believe that we place our principal reliance upon this quality, and neglect the systematic vigilance of European armies and the universal rule of the best armies of the world ‘"never to underrate your enemy."’--We trust that the brilliant triumphs already achieved will only lead our men to be more diligent in observing all the means of success, and to use as much watchfulness, precaution and discretion in fighting Yankees as if they were French Zouaves or Scotch Highlanders.