The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-05-27


respect will be paid in all future deliberations
upon the subject.
l. The Organization of the Army.
2 The Selection of the Officers.
3. The Military Stations.
j. TIE Organization offhe .4rmy
he act of Congress declares, that the
Military Peace Establishment of the United
States, shall consist of proportions of artillery,
infantry and rihemen, not exceeding i'm the
whole ten thousand men; and that the corps
OF engineers, as at present established, be re-
tanned.
Upon full consideration of the terms of the
act, and OF the military Interpretation given
to similar terms, on other occasions, the Pres
ident is OF opinion, that the Military Peace
Establishment, so far as it is composed of artil-
lery, infantry and rihemen, is to consist of the
number OF ten thousand men, exclusively OF
officers, non-commissioned officers and musi-
clans and you will be pleased to conform, in
your report, to that opinion.
The proportions of artillery, infantry and
riHemen to compose the Military Peace Es-
adjustment OF Il n thousand men, are referred
to your consideration and You will be pleas
ed, IN your report, to furnish the necessary
details for forming the establishment into
brigades, regiments, battalions and compan-
ies: But 1t is proper to observe that special
provision is made by law tor the organization
act of the 30th March, 1914 for the organ
ization OF the regiment of light artillery, as
prescribed in the act of the 10Th of April.
1908 and TOR the organization of the regi-
ments of infantry and rifemen, as prescribed
in the act of the Sd of March, 1915.
The law has, also, specially provided, that
there shall be four brigade inspectors, four
brigade quarter masters, and such number of
hospital surgeons, and surgeons, mates as
surgeons and fifteen mates, with one steward,
and one ward-master, to each hospital. But
the brigade inspectors are to be taken from
the line, and the brigade quarter-masters, as
we'll as sdutants, regimental quarter-masters
and pay-mastcrs, are to be taken from the
subaltcrns of the line.
III. The Selection sf'the Officers.
he reduction of the military establishment
to the number of ten thousand men, suffici-
emily indicates the intention of Congress to
be, that the officers, non-comrnissioned OFF,
GERS and pfivates, should be selected and ar
ranged IN such manner, as to form and COM
plete an effective corps. 1t is, undoubtedly,
painful task to make a discrimination,
which affects the interest and possibly the
subsistence of honorable men, whose misfor-
tune 1t is, by age, by infirmties or hy wounds.
to be disabled from rendering further service
to their country but the task must be per-
formed by those who are charged with the
execution OF the law leaving the relief which
may be Justly claimed by suffering merit, to
the benihcent care of the Legislative authori-
ty.
1t is the opinion of the President, therefore.
that In the selection of the officers to be retain
ed upon the military peace establishment, those
only should be recommended in your report,
for his appreciation, who are, at this time,
competent to engage an enemy in the field of
battle.
The number of field officers now in service.
amounts to two hundred and sixteen, and the
number OF regimental officer., now in service,
amounts to two thousand and ffty-hve. OF
the former, about thirty hing, and of the lat
ter, about four hundred and nifty can be re-
taineddn service, according to the provisions
OF the act of Congress for fixing the military
peace establishment. In every grade of an
pointment, almost every officer has gallantly
performed his duty. 1t is obvious, therefore,
that with respect to the field officers. and the
regimcntal officers, as we'll as with respe ct to
the general officers, men of high military
merit must unavoidably be omitted In the
present organization of the army. 1t has not
been, and 1t never can be, under such circum-
stances, mark of disrespect, or subject
OF reproach, to omit the name Of any officer
and the President wishes it NAV be distinctly
understood, that from the selection of officers.
nothing more ought to be inferred; than his
appreciation of the selected individuals, with
out dcrogating, In any degree, from the repu-
tation and worth of others.
1t is the Presidents desire, upon this inn
portant point, that distinguished military me-
rit and approved moral character, should
form the basis of all the selections which your
report shall submit to his consideration. -
Where, IN these respects, the claims of Off
GERS are equal, length of service, capacity
Tor civil pursuits, and the pecuniary situation
OF the parties, may justly furnish considera-
tons to settle the question. And where nei-
Their direct nor collateral circumstances exist.
by which your judgment can be fixed. YOU
| will ind a reasonable sat sfacton, pertains
IN referring the decision in this case, az is
| done IN many similar cases, to the chance of a
lottery; or you may submit recommended
| tory Is,, leaving the selection entirely to the
Executive. Great pains have been taken to
collect and preserve the testimonials of mill
tary merit; & these, with all the other dozen
| ments of the department, which can assist
| your enquiries, will be cOnfdentslly placed be-
| fore you. II is not doubted, therefore. that
| your report will be as advantageous to the
| government, as it will be just to the armV.-
n result at once impartial and effective, will
not only correspond with the Presidents views.
but must command the appreciation of every
hoDorablcmind; and it is. in particular, be.