Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-05-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
March Goth, 1910.
Wan DEPARTMENT., March 90, 1910.
EFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE MILITIA.

Sra: In compliance with the resolution Of
the II Jdso If Representatives Of the 9th in
slant, "that the Secretary of War be request.
ed to communicate hisp plan, in detail, for the
reorganization of the militia of the United
States," have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing report:
The impossbility of guarding our exposed
frontiers by the small regular force of the u.
States renders it necessary that some plan
should be devised 10 make the militia availa-
BILE without burdening the country, either by
too great an expense in maintaining it in the
field. or by abstracting too large number of
agriculture or of the mechanical arts
The mass of the militia of the United States,
as at present organized, does not fall short of
one million five hundred thousand men; and
every day that they are mustered for inspec-
ton or exercise abstracts at least one million
| OF dollars from the earnings Of labor, without
adding any thing whatever to the military eff
ficiency of the country, and too often affect
ing injuriously the moral condition of those
who are assembled for the purpose. Left by
the little instruction they receive on such oc-
casions, without discipline, subordination. or
knowledge of the use of arms, and totally iq-
moran: of the manner Of taking care of them
selves or of each other in the field. such a
militia, if called out in mass, would rather
prove burden than an assistance to the ar
my employed in the defence ofthe country.
as is shown by the experience of General
Washington, repeatedly expressed in his cor
respondence, as well as by the result of more
recent events during the last war; 1t is true
that, in the principal cities Of the United
States, there are to be found well organized,
disciplined, and soldier like companies, bat
toll I~.,o. ' =.
volunteers; men who, individually and col
lectively, would do good service in the field.
But any one acquainted practically with war
knows that to fight bravely, and even to ma
nGuvre coolly and skilfully, on the field of
battle are not the most necessary qualifica-
tons of the soldier. They are, perhaps, the
most common, and the least often called into
action. Soldiers must be taught their duties
in garrison, and in the field, in marching and
encamplng, In the police and military admin
lstration of an army. This instruction. so
essential, and without which il is impossible
to form the soldier, cannot be given in
days training, by officers nearly as ignorant
of these branches of the service as the soldiers
themselves. speak of the generality of the
militia officers. 1t must be impaired by We
teran and skiiful officers, in garrison and in
camp, and to men and officers alike; and it
must be impaired to few at time. ANY
attempt to organize, discipline, and render
every way fit for service in the field, the un-
wleldy mass of the militia of this vast coun-
try, which WILSON ascend to two millions
OF men, must fail for want of means, and leave
the country exposed to the terrible disasters
which will attend the first burst of war upon
It's frontiers, ifthey are to be defended by
armed but undsciplined multtudes.
hoe
Client TO instruct the officers only, and that
the privates can, under well-instructed Off
GERS, be formed into soldiers instantly, by the
magic voices of good commanders. This is
a double and a most dangerous error. In the
first place, itrequires time to form a soldier.
under the most practised, experienced, and
skliful officers and our soil might be polluted
by the foot OF the invader, our cities taken
and sacked, and our forts occupied, before our
armed citizens could be taught the elements
OF tactics, or the simple use of the frelock
And, secondly, it will prove fatal error to
suppose that an officer can be formed by be-
Ing drilled as private. The habit of COM
mand, the prompt eye, the firm tone, the
seif-possession in moments Of difficulty and
danger, which inspire the men with conf
dence and courage, and are so essential to Sc
cure their ready obedience, are the result of
practice. The officers and privates who are
to act together in the field must be drilled to-
gether, and practised, the one to the duties of
obedience, and the other of those of command.
Satisfied that an efficient force cannot be
created by drilling the officers alone, as well
as OF the impracticability of rendering the
whole mass of the militia available, at the
same time, for the defence of the country ::
and convinced from the experience of our past
wars, that 1t is necessary to organize and dis
clpilne select body of citizen soldiers, who,
In moment of danger, will know their sta
tons, and their duties when assembled there.
and who, although separated from the mass
Tor snort time, will return and impart to If
the military knowledge and experience they
have acquired during their period of service.
have prepared the plan, the details of which
are herewith submitted, agreeably to the res
olution OF the House. II is believed that. on
examining them, it will be apparent that the
scheme is not liable to any one of the obiec-
lions That are urged against large STANDING
armies; but on the contrary, that it will form
select body of well disciplined militia, ready
themselves to defend their country in tho
hour OF danger against any sudden attack
ana furnishing corps, around which the less
instructed mass may rally; possessing ir
some dogfee, the military knowledge ant
stIIl OF regular soldiers, they will be able a
lac t. protect tbeircountry from FOREIGN foe
and 10 guard its liberties from any danger tina
may threaten them. '''
.tapPears to me that the organization now
proposed VIII prevent the necessity of main
tanning large standing armies, even in tim,
OF war;. The militia, properly drilled and in
stTucted, will thereby be rendered perfect,
! eincient' and capable of defending the fort: