Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-15

Rcproofs and eNhotaons in life, and the consultations OF
religion in death, would be freely offered TO them The
experiment think, i worthy of trial. and the expense
can scarcely be placed in fir competition with object
which promises such useful results for the present inn
proyemcnt and future happiness OF the soldiers
The various departments OF thc staff OF the army have
performed with fidelity their ccustoined routine ofics
In the three great divisions of c,cencv economy and ac
coun,aby, the present mole OF seems well
adapted to the nature OF our service The several tabular
statements accompanying this report oxhht the satisfactory
manner in which the public funds have expended
and accounted for Nor il there any reason believe
mat the slightest loss will occur from the fiscal operations
" wo year. system whose effects are thus beneficial
must be not only safe in itself bu, safely administered
Ana Tor this administration indebted 10 the supcrn
tending caro- of the several bureaus and The various
hccrs bloycd under them, throug the
seviient that fund o knowledge has been provided
which fail to be useful in any future exigency
Armies may be suddenly raised and discipline in some
measure introduced, by great excriions aid In great
emergencies The experience of other nations and OF our
has Demonstrated that the peculiar information
upon which depend the subsistence the health and the
movement otroops and the supply a. r mate
r'ct canony be acquired by tine and expcricnce The dis
ases prosa expenditures in the beginning the late
'urm'heu" memorable lesson upon this subject, which
opeuwi not be forgotten, -eccAe from the period
VI ue, occurrence Oar present organization small
e"o"2n the wants of the service yet such is its
atre, that il may be Indefinitely extended the pres
sWe OF circumstances may require ensuring in every
Branch of the service iudicous system OF administration
and experienced officers TO direct and apply it.
The Military Academy has existed sufficiently long
underits present mode OF instruction. TO enable the Gov
ernncnt aud the country 10 form estimate of
value both with relation TO the cadets themselves, and
the character OF the army. OF $50 officers having rank
in the line, and in service, i0I educated at that
institution. These young have been prepared bv a
rigid and udcious instruction and discipline Tor
the various duties OF their profession GOO have entered
the army of whom but I3 have bcon dismissed and In,
ring the present only two have been brought before
courts martial and they upon charges not affecting their
moral character.
good conduct when the high OF discipline and the
course OF vgiont inspection in service taken into
view In the annual reports of the Visi,osa West Point
is exhibited the result of the most careful observations
made by persons competent estimate and prepared TO
scruunze the claims and condition of the institution For
some years hese reports have borne uncquiyoca evil
dence the fidelity ability of the Superintendent
and tho academic staff generally, and the proiicien
cy anu correct department. OF the pupils The record
which is kept of their progress and conduct the spirit
OF emulation necessarily excited and the udicios plans
OF rewards, which offered bv the publication n,
the names of the most distinguished individuals and nv
their admission into the army in the order of merit are now
erful incentives 10 exeron and when combined viii Tho
strict and impartial examinations To which all must submit
can scarcely fail TO for the service of their country
such ami such only, as qualified to be useful
The science of war is an advancing one. In Europc
wherc peace 10 seldom long maintained, large portion of
The talent and Intelligence of the community devoted
TO tins study, and 10 the consideration and suggestion of
changes ndmpoyemcns i'm all the branches otheir mi
ary establishments, whether they relate the opera
sa IN rS n To the various Supplies or to the neccs
tons for the benefit of their experience And our nro
gross in the elements of military knowledge will de-
pend IN great measure, upon the careful preparation
an, education of the young who are ANNUALLY an
pointed in our service. Our local position, as well as our
free institutions, may delay but we have no right 10 cx
Pcct they will prevent the occurrence of war "A bis
event may happen it is the par; OF wisdom 10 be p
pared for il, far as preparation can be made yvbor ~
great sacrifice. Our army is barely sufficient TO furnish
small garrisons for the Notifications upon the seaboor and
TO hold in check the numerous and Indian tribes
on our inland frontier Under these circumstances the pra
neal duties of the profession acquired and as lone as the
officers enter the service with lgrounded knowledge
oil It's principles We may look to the army the depository
oil fund oil information upon this important subject which
Will enable the Government iisc it among the COM
muny upon the approach of danger By assigning nor
on ocefS previously in service, TO regiments
corps These wll soon acquire competent knowledge
OIL tner duties both in subodnaion and discipline The
geat oJScS present economy and future security
In no other mode be certainly attained When we adj
vert to the comparative effects OF training young men for
ue course OF HE before them, of selecting ns-
erimnaey for the army, without TO previous
pursuits will be manifest that the present system can
alone ensure the attainment the important objects CON
necicd with our military establishment
IL has been stated that the number of cadets allowed
at the Military Academy i 2GO There are in the line
OF the army 52 officers of all descriptions OF these on
the LIST day OF November there presen, for duty O3
OF whom 10 field and 2Si company officers Thor
were GO sick and on furough. And lI3 were detached
upon various staff duties including the regular STAFF
ments oil the army objects of internal Improvement the
emigration of the Indians. The number of companies
being lO6 there were not three officers each company
Taking into view the casualties of the service there
ought not TO be less than that number all times with
their companies The law provides that there shall be
three TO each company of infantry and five to each COM
pany OF artillery In addition these the act of April
Z9ih 1917, allows one supcrnumerary bcvet ID eutcn-
ant to be attached TO each company OF these there are
IN service 49, leaving ID vacancies TO be filled from the
graduates of the Military Academy for 1882 The num-
Der OF the average annual vacancies the army for five
years has been 3d. and of the graduates to fill these 40
There therefore, at the INSTRUMENTATION be forty Ca
diets candidates for appointment and but 80 vacancies be
filled would suggest the expediency adding 81 TO
the number OF brevet ID icuenGnts and leaving them un
attached to do duty whenever required. Every company
may thus have three officers all times present TO the
great advantage of the service
refer to the report of the Chief of the Engineer De-
parment for the various details connected with this inter
esing branch of the public service.
The suggestions hc has made appear TO me worthy Of
consideration; and particularly recommend 10 your mo-
tee the proposition for organization of the corps of
engineers The views of this Department upon that su-
ect were expressed in report of January 18Th 1881 in
answer to call OF the House Of Rcprcsc and i'm
those views fully The measure is required by
the public interest
Oiess provision Is made for the repair and prcscr-
Vauon OF the road constructed by the United States from
Cumberland to the Ohio river that expensive and useful
work VIII be ruined Many parts of are now so ser-
ousy injured as to render travelling difficult and sometimes
dangerous The destruction Of This great CONNECTING link
between the Atlantic and the western States which with
hght transit duty and proper system Of administration
"Suu IaS Tor ages, cannot be anticipated without great
concern The continuation of this road in the State of
ONO Tree from this danger With the assent of the &c
neral Government that State has established toll gates and
eVles moderate duty upon that part of road within
her jurisdiction, which il finished
consider II my duty TO bring this matter before YOU
IN me nope That 1t will engage the attention of Congress
anu that similar system for the preservation the road
from Cumberland TO the Ohio river will be adopted If
II were placed by the General Government in proper re-
par, and then surrendered to the States respectively
through whose territories il