Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-05-27
p UBLISHE
ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS,
by JOHN RKE.
ORGANIZATION
or THE
Military Peace Establishment
OF THE
UNITED ST.2TES.
DEPARTMENr OF WAR,
hfnv IZth l2l5


1915, declares, "rhat the military peace es-
Enlistment OF the United States, shall consist
of such proportions OF artillery, infantry, and
rihemeH, not exec eding, in the Whole, ten thou.
sand men, as the President of the United States
shall judge proper; that the csrps OF eng ineers,
ss at present established, be retained that the
President OF the United States cause to be ar
ranged the officers, n,commissioned officers,
musicians and pTiystts, of the several corps of
troops in the service OF the United States, in
such ma ner IS to form and complete out Of
the same, the corps authorized by this act; and
that he cause the supsrnume rary. officers, nom
commissioned officers, mcsicians and privates,
10 be discharged fromtNe service CT the United
States, from and after the, FIRST day Of May next,
or as soon as circumstances may permit"
The President Of the United States, having
performed the duty which tue law assigned 10
him, has directed that the or .fanization of the
military peace establishment ne announced in
general orders; and that the aupernumerary
officers, non-commissioned office ~, musicians,
and pr;vates, be discharged from tie service of
the United States, as soon as the crcumstan.
ces, which are necessary for the pa, uent and
discharge of the troops will permit.
But onThis important and interesting occa-
sion, the President of the United States is
aware, that he owes to the feelings OF the ma.
ton, rs we'll as 70 his own feelings, an expr,ss-
sion ofthe high sense entertained of tie serv'-
ces of the American army. Eeaving the scenes,
otPrivate life, The citizens became the soldiers
of>the United States the spirit of genuine
patriotism quickly peryade,l the military es-
Enlistment and the events of theFwsr have
conspicuously developed the moral, as well as
the physical character ofan army, in which
Syery man seems to have deemed himself the
chosen champion of his country.
The pacific policy Of the American govern
Ihen;, the domestic habits of the people, and
III. SC
justly account for the want os wnrlike pre-
psration, for an imperfect state OF discipline,
and Tor various other sources of embarrass-
ment, or disaster, which existed at the com
Rencement of hostilities: but TO account for
the achievements of the American army, in all
their spsndor, and for its efficient acquire.
meItsin every important branch of the military
art, during war OF little more than two years
continuance; tits necessary to resort to that
principle of action, which, in free country,
nc citizen with his government in~
Peis each individual TO seek the knowledge
that is requisite for the performance of his du-
ty; and renders every soldier, in effect, CON-
bataEt in his own cause
The President of the United States anticipa-
ted from the career OF an army thus constituted,
all the glory and the fruits Of victory; and it
has been his happiness to see Just war terni-
mated by an honorable peace, after such de-
monstratlons OF yalor, genius, and enterprise,
rs secure for the land and naval forces Of the
United States animperishabie ranown; for the
Citizens, the best prospect OF an undisturbed
enjoyment OF theirlrights and for the govern
ment, the respect and confidence of the world.
To the American Army, which has so nobly
contributed to these results, the President of
the Usited States presents this public testimo-
NAL OF appreciation and applause, at the mo-
ment when many of its gallant officers and men
must, unavoidably, be separated from the stand
ard of their country. Under al governments
and especially under all free governments, the
restoration Of peace has uniformly produced q
reduction of the military establishment The
United States disbsnded in 1909 The troops
which had been raised on account of the differ.
encss with France; and the memorable peace
oi17oS, was followed bya discharge of the il
lustrious army OF the Revolution. Th2 fire..
quency, or the rec salty, of the Occurrence
DOES not, however, deprive it Of itg interest ;
and the dispersion Of ihe military family, at this
Idneture, under circums tonces peculiarly af-
tecting, cannot fail to awaken ali TIE sympathies
OF the generous and The just
The difficulty Of accomplishing satisfactory
organization Of the military peace establish
ment, has been anxiously felt. The act of Con
gross contenplates small but an elective
force, and, consequently, the honorable men,
whose years, or inirmities, or wouatls, render
them incapable Of further service, in active war.
fare, are cssariiy excluded from the establish.
mont. The act contemplates reduction os
she army from many, 70 few regiments and,
consequently, long list Of mcritorious officers
must, inevitably, I've laid aside. But the at
tempt has been sssduously made 70 collect au-
ulehtc information from every source, as a
foundation for an impartial Judgment on the
various claims 20 attentions and even while a
decision is pronounced, the President Ct the u
states desires It may be distinctly understood,
chat from tl'e designation Of the officers who
are retained in service, nothing more is to be
lnierred, than his appreciation Of the designated
individuals, without derogsiing, IL any degree,
from the fame a2d werth Of those, whose lot it
is to retire.
The American army Of The war Of 1912 has
hitherto successfully emulaled the patriotism
snd the yolor ofthe army Of The war Of l776.-
The closing scene ofthc example remains alone
N be performed Having established the indie
pehdence Of heir ooustry, the revolutionary
warriors cheeriuly returned TO the walks Of ci
vii life many Of tliem became tic beneflctors
and ornaments of society. IN the pros cuiion of
varioV's arts and profesTons and all of them,
as vel a. the veteran few who survive the laps e
oftime, have been the objects Of grateful re-.
collection, and constant regard. h is for the
American ARM, now dissolved, 10 pursue the
same honorable course, in order TO egjoy the
same inestimabe reward The hope may be
respec,iuily INDUCED, that he benefcence Of the
legislative authority will beam upon suffering
merit an admiring nation will uaite the eiyic