Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-15
Head Quarters Of the .4rmy Of
The United States.
wAsMINGToN cIrY. June Ist. Ia21.


WASHINGTON CITY, JUNE LIST, 1891
GENERAL ORDER.
On assuming the new duties prescribed 10
HIM by the Department of War, the Major
General considers it due to his situation 10
direct the attention Of the army TO certain
points relative fq its discipline and duties.
The state of the military establishment is
ola nature to excite a deep concern for It's
interests. The minute divisions which ithas
suffered, from the. necessity of FURNISHING
garrisons, for the numerous posts that line our
inland and maritime borders, and the abridg-
ment of the sources Of competition, ilsepa-
rable from It's dispersed condition, are alike
iinfavorable to its discipline. The principles
of emulation, which, in combined forces, has
an Irresistible operation by force inherent
In itself, is lost upon bodies which DO not
feel the influence of contact, and can find
substitute only in the increased devotion OF
those who IRE invested with command
Discipline, no longer nourished by prm-
cple of constitutional activity. becomes In
great degree dependant for existence on the
application OF authority by those in com
mand, and or the principle Of obedience in
those of subordinate situations. Viewing
the subject as he does, the Major General
cannot repress solicitude for the prosperity
of the arrnya solicitude which is relieved
only by a confidence in those, by whose CO.
operation his own efforts are to be sustained
Subordnation in authority is the essence of
military government, and it must be fostered
by that respectful Difference which is due
from all officers to each other, in their pri-
waite as wen as in their official correspond
ence.
The Major General feels it his duty forci
bly, to onjOiIi on the officers of the army the
N of hn,
among themselves. In addition to the con
sderation that personal sclisms tend directly
To the subverson of military order and dis
ciPline, it will be obvious to them that their
profession imposes obligations, which do not
exlstin the other walks oflife. Pissentions and
controversies among private gentlemen al
feet only the characters ofthe individualpaT-
ties while those among military officers i'm
pair the reputation Of the body of which
they are remembers; and it is but Just to expect
| that every gentleman of honorable sentiments
viii sacrifice the qualification of his personal
enmity to the consideration that the reputa.
ton of his associates will necessarily be-
involved in the obloquy which he draws up
on his own. Although it may be alleged
that the distinction which has been made be-
| tween the military and the other depart
| ments ofs6ciety is an artificial one, and that
| ollsy of military institutions, than from any
J principles of reason or justice an admission
| Of the fact would form NO argument against
the existence of the propensity to charge ur-
| on the body the errors Of its constituent
| parts and while the propensi, exists, it is
the duty of all to afford no preisxt for its ac-
| ton.
The prevalence of desertion has been an
evil Of serious magnitude, and il does not APP
pear to be justified by a view of the past cor
duon Of the military establishment. All re-
search in this field for its causes has been 01-
satisfactory. The character of the military
profession is honorable the soldier is as well
provided with comforts as the citizen in com
mon life, and his occupation Is neither more
offensive nor more laboFiOus. There are
restless, discontinued spirits in every sphere
Of liie, which no indulgence ro7 kiudnes- car