Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-12-11


faculties, has it i'll any degree lcsscncd his
duty. The idea entertained by Republican orhis
appropriately in the district, conceive to be en-
tirc!y visionary; indeed, verify believe that un-
der the existing circumstances, were tho thing to
be tested by the votes ofthc people, Judge Somplo
would be greatly preferred, to any other man. In
dependent however, of these considerations. the
still weighticr one, of his late appointment by tho
Executive ought in great measure, to influence
your decisons for tho presumption should be, that
he is in every poin: of view qualified for the Office.
Judge Sempe is an old and faithful servant and
is at this time, laboring in tho discharge of Off =
cial duty. l ask then, will you utterly disregard
his feelings as to eject him? indulge the hope
that you will not. RESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT.
TO THE MILITIA OFFICERS OF VIRGINIA.
i have been highly gratifed of late, in looking
over our public prints, to see the laudable spirit
which IS awake In relation TO the defective system
of Militia. This spirit has been evinced by the
various meetings of our Militia Officers in almost
every county IN eastern, and many of the western
counties of State calling the attention of our
next Legislature TO this important subject. ImpOr-
tant ii must be acknowledged to be because well
trained militia is Justly considered the great bulwark
and safeguard Of the rights and liberties Of a free
people.
That tho present state OF discipline of our militia
is defective is fact glaring, that its defects have
become the butt and tdicue of the most superficial
observer in the least acquainted with military tao
tics.
But it has been matter of surprise TO me, that
though all agree in deprecating present state of
discipline, one should have touched upon what
humbly consider its great and radical defects, and
whence this mperiec, state of discipline is main
~ to be attributed.
The humble object of this communication, is to
obtain the attention of our Legislature and the mill
tia officers OF our state generally, and point out to
them what consider tho principal defects of our
system, at least, far discipline is concerned
hope in doing, | shall be exculpated from the
charge Of presumption, when state my observa-
n lie of hatIv fpuTn and five
active service in the regular army, and having for
the last fifteen years been acting commissioned
officer i'll our Militia, and consequently close OBJ
of its defects.
1 would set out with stating that in my opinion
1T is immaterial, which, or how many of the hume
rous plans adopted Which gravey recon-
mended-CiasSifyo our .Miitia-nerease the number
OF mCsters TO 800 in the year if you wll-train
officers i'll camp out of camp-without entire
change IN system Of drills, pronounce mill
tia TO be still inefficient, and that it will prove
fruitful source of chagrn and disappointment to the
State at large.
Our present mode of discipline is defective in
not requiring the practice OF one uniform SYSTEM
in the application of tlat system-and lastly, in the
manner of imsirucing officers, which shall
sumo, (without fear Of contradiction 10 be the
source from whence these defects spring.
rs respects uniformiiy-the necessity of uniform
ity OF drill must he obvious 10 The greatest novice in
military tactics, and SD conscious the leading Of
icers Of our regular army of IFS Importance, that
they have prevailed upon Congress to publish, and
to a small extent distribute amongst the militia off.
GERS OF the different States of the Union, the very
excellent manual of infantry tactics adopted by
them, TO insure in case Of emergency their more
eifectuai cooperation. IT'S no. sufficient for
our Legislature simply to give their sanction 10 this
system;-l would recommend to them TO publish
such number as will enable all commandments of
Regiments TO see copy in still! mere concise
and abridged form placed in the hands of every
commissioned and non-commissioned officer in our
Militia; and in this publication let it be understood
t,pa #
therein contained will be held reprehensble and in
order the more eacctuqliy 10 enforce this system,
TO make all violations on the part of The Brigade
Inspector, offences to which should be attached n
PecunIaiy penalty. The consequence would be, in
place OF one taking Duane, and another Stuben,
and third, some equally old and explo ed system
as his guide, we shall see a SISTER adopted which
has been in operation in regular army for the
last fourteen years to the utter exclusion Of every
other.
Blu, it will be in vain for 10 take the most per-
iect system as our guide, unless enforce il with
regularity and method the observance of which
has been most seriously neglected. Too frequently
do we see il the case, that when a system is placed
IN the hands of a militia officer, he passes by
lar the most important part Of i; scarcely worthy
his notice. at least making it quite secondary
sderation; viz, The school Of The soldier, without
knowledge of which, ii will be in vain for him ever
go think OF acquiring any degree of celebrity
rs disciplined officer. The Battalion movements
alone generally attract bis attention, 81 he considers
himself disciplined in proportion TO the number Of
evolu'nns he thinks himself perfect in. II is an
established fact that if we TO become proficient
in any art or science, we must set out at the proper
poInt-viz the first rudments. Therefore, If we
wish 10 succeed in acquiring knowledge of mill
tary tactics, must set out with the school of the
soldier, which is justly ons;dered the basis Of mill
tary dscip inc. consider this to be TO the soldier
what the four first rules in arithmetic are 10 the
mathematician, or knowledge of the first axioms
or established Princ pies are TO the gcometrican
and as well might De attempted to solve the most
difficult problem in either science, without know
ledge OF the.above rudments, as TO attempt cvolu-
tinns with a body Of men, without some knowIcdge
of the school Of The soldier. Ii is there we acG lire
knowledge OF the first important principles viz:
Positions FacingS, Dressing, Wheeling, the just and
accurate cadence OF step, and that cool attentive
steadiness. which combined, constitute the leading
features, and in fact, the grand characteristic of
disciplined soldier. IL we'll answered on the
part of celebrated Prussan General, when asked
when lie considered II soldier disc pned? he replied
IL hen he could march, face, and dress In fact the
performance of the most difficult evolution is only
All application of those principles. The soldier in
he ranks, is justly considered complete machine,
Tor he is taught TO look TO his officer for his com
nand, for every change Of position. This admit
led, il must he evident what of drill should
be pursued 10y our militia Captains. When Cap
lain S company is formed in front OF him, in place
Of (what have too frequently SEEM stTewing them
about like sheep, in the attempt TO perform some
eVoIuIions lndiilcreny understood his part, and
worse executed on the part Of The men, leading
mem 10 believe that few evolutions wretChedly
performed, constituted the perfection of military |
tactics.
Instead OF this, he should divide them in squads !
under the command Of himself and his subalterns |
70 instruct them so far as the full time allotted will
admit in what necessary and all that is necessary
ior soldier to know, which, as have already en-.
ucayored to shew, may be summed up in the school |
OF t9e soldier The good effect of such u method
would soon manifest itself at Battalion Muster or
even IN the face of an enemy. In consequences OIL
having some knowledge Of the principles of correct