Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-21

hundred miles, Mr. w believed and il was the opinion
also oil his constituents, that the present system de
ecve but he looked TO the abolition of musters as the
cause OF the defects the were not called out
lie did not think il necessary 10 give the militia the
knowledge which they would require in war but they
ought to have sufficient military knowledge and practice
to enable them TO act in of emergency and these
could only be obtained in musters The gentleman from
Brunswick has spoken Of the tents which were TO be
provided for the officers who TO in these camps
and as they would be charge upon the State he would
ask whether the camp cqupage and all the necessary
convenicnccs for six days tour of service would not he
additional expence to the Sate' There might be many
men who were fond of parade and show who would will
ngy go TO these camps, and find in the service pleasant
recreation. But he did not believe that the
men of businessthe bone and muscle of the communv
who, from possessing the confidence of the people were
best qualified TO command Them would engage in this
Plan Ihcy could not afford to ride hundred miles TO
and FROM and spend six days these camps for the nav
which this bill entities them TO receive. The plan would
be an expensive one and he could perceive any good
to be produced by it, He therefore, moved the indef-
mite postponement of the bill
On motion of Mr. linn, the ayes and noes were ordered
Mr. Ghoson said that when any great change in the
Militia System had been proposed, the House had shown
great ignorance upon the subject But i'm patch work M
gisaon they had displayed, only facility in passing
laws put most improvident disposition to supply the
place oil any great measure by partial enactmens The
gentleman from Pitsylvania was mistaken in supposing
that officers would be obliged travel 200 miles to reach
the camps oil instruction. The average distance would be
but about 80 miles. Mr. G. differed from that gentleman
in supposng that the officers would go TO these camps for
purposes oil parade and carousal They would not be
held in the limits OF cities; but in remote places where
there would be objects distract the attention of the
oihcers from the duties which they called there to
perform The gentleman had declared his preference for
musters, where the officers and were drilled togeth-
err: but they could not, in Mr. G's opinion be Of the
slightest service, because the officers themselves knew
nothing OF the service and could therefore mnor M
ledge the soldiers Hehad heard an officer in the REGULAR
ervicesay that he would rather have recruits who were
perfectly ignorant, and had never been instructed at ALL
than those who had received much Of this muster din
ing. Having begun wrong, and acquired bad habits
which tits difficult to unearn, they liable TO 20 on in
their original errors, almost in defiance of more regular
system oil discipline Ii the officers were thoroughly
taught they would mpart their knowledge to those be-
meath them and my life on it, said Mr. G.. make good
officers and you cannot fail of having COOL soldiers
Mr. Rutherford said, that the bill under consideration
proposes radical change in present militia system
provides for the entire repeal of the existing law in re-
aton TO the training OF the officers and the establishment
oil camp oil instruction in each brigade. He was well
aware that so important change would have strong
JUDGES and strong opposition encounter-an oppos-
ton which he believed be founded i'm great decree
upon some Misrepresentation TO the probable expense TO
which the passage of this bill would subject the Common
wealth He hoped, however, to be able 10 satisfy the
House, that the expense would be so great % was
supposed and certainly not greater than the object in view
would justify Public sentiment seemed TO require of the
present Legislature such changes i'm the law as would
render militia system efficient than Al present
Recent occurrences mperously demanded our immediate
attention TO this subject The defects.o The present
TEN are universally acknowledged and the only question
10 be considered is how shall these defects be remedie
1t appeared TO the Committee who had repored tbe hill
that the most efectual mode of improving the system
would be to provide for the organization OF competent
intelligent, trained corps of officers without which
no system that could be adopted would be of anv avail
Mr. X said, that the plan recommended in the bill had
not originated with the committee. 1t had emanated from
much higher authority Itwas in great degree the same
system which had been recommended for the adopon OF
Congress- by Board of Officers convened AZ Washington
'he year 1870 under the order of the War Department.
he then Secretary of War had previously addressed
circular to the Governors and various distinguished militia
officers OF the several States, for the purpose of obtaining
their views in relation to the defects of tho exisng or
think proper to suggest Numerous communications were
addressed to the War Department upon this subject and
CURED In reS"rd"ss the present msers of he ,ni,ia 90
worse than useless and in urging the importance of devils
ing some efficient system for the training of the officers
The Board OF Officers (and able Board il was0 after
mature dehberaton upon the various communications re-
ceved IN reply TO the Circular of the War Department.
ana te several plans which, from time TO time had been
submitted to Congress for the organization and instruction
oil the militia, recommended the establishment of a camp
OF instruction in each brigade of the militia of the several
States, upon the principles adopted in the bill now under
consideration Andathough engrosng subjects had
as yet prevented Congress from paying that attention 10
tins recommendation which its importance demands the
deliberate judgment of enlightened Board of Officers
upon such subject is certainly entitled much consd
Grafton.
MIR. r. said, that the various changes which had
been made year after year in the militia laws had
rendered our present system very defective that he
mad The consolation of believing it would be difficult
70 make IL more imperfect by any farther legislation IL
had gradually become in such low rcpuc, that in many
parts oil the State Commissions below the grade OF
Heiu olhcefs, except In the Volunteer Companies \
were neither sought desired 1t had been found difficult,
many regiments TO procure the acceptance of commits
SONS There at present PRIDE spirit of emulation
among the oiicers and, indeed the military spirit of the
country nearly extinct In many instances the atten.
dance oil the officers at the drills is thin that il difficult
Tor he Inspector to do more than impa the elementary
principles OF the school of the soldier The want of sn
hcien number drill renders frequently difcult j,
not impossible to mpart any valuable instruction as 10 the
school oil TIC company, the guides the drill of the
battalion The duties OF guards seldom if ever taught
and every attempt to learn the duties of the camp would
course be fruitess. The officers not expecting To he
called on TO command have not the necessary stimulus
prepare themselves for the drill by study Every
ocer should be required alternately to undertake the in
srucon The habit OF command is indispensable to an of.
ncer,-tor the very best drilled soldier, placed in the
front OF platoon, may find himself at first in a very
awkward situation BY the present system, much time
Is wasted during the three days training by the travelling
oil te olcers each day between their respective homes
and the places designated for the drill faded and aipued
'hel arrival on the ground they generally feel but lit
ne inclination TO continue the instruction one moment
longer than the commanding officer may think proper In
short it seemed very generally to be admitted that the
present three days training of the officers matter of
little or no account. Mr. II. said that the plan recon-
mended in the bill, would remedy all the defects of the
eXslng system, 10 which he had adverted. The annual
sempiage In camp OF all the officers OF Brigade during
SIX successive days, for the purpose of receiving military
instruction, could not fail to give life and animation TO
the Officers Every officer who should attend the camp
would feel the necessity of previously devong some por-
ton oil his time to the study of military books and at least
sch systems oil tactics as be prescribed by Congress
performed by all ofthe officers alternately from the Br
gadier down to the Ensign Pride, spirit of emulation
inc lear oil modification, would all operate as a powerful
snuius 10 all holding commissions to learn and perform
meh uuty' All would attend their camp well prepared
not only 10 receive but TO mpar instruction The most
nOt L.I