Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1840-07-02
JAMES M, SMILEY, EDIroR.
POLITICAL.
MR.. VAN BUREN'S
STANDING ARMY.
OFFICIAL PAPER.

OhOAANDn AiOAN Vt t1E MILITIA.
Letter from the Secretary Of War Transmitting
system of reorganization Of the Militia Of III
United States.
House Of Representatives, March 90, $40.
REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE MILITIA.
War Department, March 90, 1910.
Sir: In compliance withthe resolution Of III
House of Representatives ofthe 9th instant
"that the Secretary Of War be requested Il
communicate his plan, in detail, for the reor
ganization the militia Of the Unhed States,
have the honorto submit the following re
port: .
The impossibility of guarding our exposed
frontiers by the small regular force Of the Uni
ted States renders il necessary that some plar
should be devised TO make the militia available
without buTdening the country, either BY toe
great an expense in maintaining it in the field
or by abstracting too large number ofusefp
citizens from the productive labors of agricul.
ture or Of the mechanic arts.
The mass OF the militia Of the United States
as at present organized, does not fall short OF
one million hive 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
cheney Of the country, and loo often affecting
lnlurlously the moral condition Of those who
area assembled for the purpose. heft by the
little instruction they receive on such occasions
without discipline, subordination, or knowledge
Of the use Of arms, and totally ignorant of the
manner OF taking care ofthemselves or of each
other in the field, such militia, il called oul
IN mass, would rather prove burden than
an assistance TO the army employed in the de-
ience OF the country, as is shown by the expe-
rlence OF Gen. WASHINGTON, repeatedly express
sed in his correspondence, as well as by the re-
suit OF more recent events during the last war.
II is true that, in the principal cities Of the
United States there are to be found we'll organ.
lied, disciplined. and soldier-like companies
battallons, regiments, brigadee, and divisions
OF volunteers; men who, individually and col.
lectively, would do good service in the field
But any one acquainted practically with war
knows that tofight bravely, and even to ma
how're coolly and skillfully, on the field of bat
tie are not the mostnecessary qualifications OF
the soldier. They>are perhaps, the most COM
mon, and the least often called into action
Soldiers must be Taught their duties in garrison,
and in the field, in marching and encanping,
in the police and military administration ofan
army. This instruction, soesseniial, and with
out which 1t is impossible to form the soldier,
cannot be given in a DAVIS training, by officers
nearly as ignorant ofthese branches of the
service as the soldiers themselves. i speak Of
the generality ofthe militia officers. 1t must
'be impaired by veteran and skilllul officers, in
garrison and in camp, and tomen and officers
alike; and it must be impaired TO a few at a
time. Any attempt to organize, discipline and
every way fit for service in the field, the I'M
mieldy mass ofthe militia ofthis vast country,
which will soon ascend to two millions OF men,
must fail for want Of means, and leave the
country exposed to heterrible disasters which
will attend the first burst of war upon its from
tiers, if they are to be defended by armed but
undisciplined multitudes.
thas been supposed that it viii be sufficient
10 instruct the officers only, and that the pri-
Yates can, under welEinstructed officers, be for
med into soldiers instantly, by the magic vol
oes Of good commanders. This is double and
q most dangerous error. lnthe first place,
it requires time to form soldier, under the
most practiced, experienced, and skilIful Off
GERS; and our soil might be polluted BY the
foot Of the invader, our cities taken and sacked,
and our forts occupied, before our armed citis
zens could be taught the elements ofitactics or
the simple use Of the frelock. And secondly,
it will prove fatal erro to sup pose that an
officer can be formed by being drilled as d. pri-
vate. The habit Of command, The prompt eye,
the firm tone, the selfpossession in moments
ofdificulty and danger, which inspire the men
with confidence and courage, and are SO essen
:ial to secure their ready obedience, are the Re.
suit OF practice. The officers and sprivates
who are 10 act together in the field mus. be
drilled together and practiced, the one 10 the
duties Of obedience, and the other to those Of
command. ~
Satisfied that an efficient force cannot be
created by drilling the officers alone, as well
of the imprac,icability 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 Il
is necessary to organize and discipline select
body Of citizen soldiers, who, in o moment Of
danger, iIknow their stations, and their du-
tieswhen assembled there, and who although
separated from the mass for short time, will
return and impart TO il the military knowledge
and'experionce they have acquired during their
period of service, have prepared the plan,
the details of which are herewith submitted,
'agreeabiy to the resolution Of the House. II
IS believed that, on examining them, il will be
apparent that the scheme is not liable TO any
one OF the objections that are urged against
Nkandinu armiaSt hni m fha cov.t.< ~, S,nt :,