The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-09

=
impression, suggest tina, the .active force"--
or the portion Of the militia liable to be first
called out-has no higher organization than
that Of battalion, commanded by Major
1.-THE Reserved force"-next for service Is
organized in the same manner. These two
classes, being between the ages Of 81 and 81
years, form less than one-sevenih Of the whole
number, and seem far too few to secure the
"common defence" from powerful and ac-
tive enemy, or to infuse general military spi-
rit in the nation.
The mass being the whole aggregate
force, from twenty TO forty-6ve years of age,
has provided for it more liberal organization
of divisions" :. brigades," regiments" &c.
with g major and brigadier generals" " aides
de-camp," inspectors" adjutants and quar-
termaster generals, /" colonies and lieutenant
colonies, majors, &c.," who are all, however,
to be left at home, after drafting off the ac-
tive and reserve forces" by battalions," Of
four companies, under the command Of majors.
to be incorporated, infer, with the regular
army, and placed under its magnificent staff.
The impression that the militia, thus called
out, cannot pretend 10 become the principal
means Of national defence, is further confirm
ed by the short period either "officer or pri-
vate" can, by the Secretary's system, be
compelled" to serve continuously, being "no
more than six months after arrival At the rem
| devious"
And l am the more surprised at this since the
Board Of Army and Militia Officers, OF which
General Scott was president, and which had
the subject Of the reorganization Of the militia
specially confided to them in 1926. reported
that the majority of the circulars addressed TO
Governors of States, militia officers, and other
distinguished citizens, elected a very general
and decided expression Of opinion in favor OF
the extension Of the period TO year, and that
in this the Board concurred.
Also, because my impressions led me to
believe the Secretary might safely parody
one Of his own sentences thus: select body
Of well-disciplined militia, if not liable to too
short term Of service, would prove Of the
greatest assistance "to the regular army en-
ployed in the defence Of the country, as is
shown by the experience Of General Wash
ington, repeatedly expressed in his cores
pondence, as we'll as by the result Of more
recent events during the last war; !" instead
Of using, as he does, the authority of that
great name in a connection derogatory to the
militia. Moreover, my impression is, that if
culated the ciizen-soldery only for dernier
resort, sin imminent danger" he would, when
he fixed the continuous service at no more
than "sx MONTHS have recalled more of the
experience Of General Washington, who COM
planned Of I. the cost Of marching home one
set Of men-bringing in another-the havoc
and waste occasioned by the first.--the repairs
necessary for the second, with thousand In
cidental charges and Inconvenience"
Upon the whole, however, before testing
the question whether this reorganization"
calculates the citizen-soldiery to become the
national defence, or the temporary and labor
ing guards of the forts, or the occasional sub
ordinates Of the 'troops Of the United States"
in time Of war, It were well, perhaps. TO obtain
the correct impression of the composition of
these United States troops. Are they, in
case of war, to be formed Of enlistments and
volunteers and differed by the Government
solely from present military incumbents, and
from Westpoint?
That the Staff Of the Army is now album
dainty sufficient for the largest force of this
description, has not, perhaps, escaped the
Secretary's attention, nor can he have avoid
ed cognizance Of the various complaints in
that army, of its organization, and Of the diff
culties on the subject of rank and command.
These may be the fruits Of Gas they have
been attributed TOY vicious legislation yet
they, not the less imperaiively now, in pros
pect of war, call for the exercise Of his Ia
Tents to dispense, by timely and effectual re-
Communications to the Legislature.
| That there may be something ridiculous in
their military staff titles and civil employ
mens-in their brevets-in assimulated
and non-assimuated rank" &c. which he
would not desire TO introduce into any re-
organization" can wen believe, and am
the more inclined to these impressions from
the published land it Is believed unconstrain-
ed) remark of an army officer, that " it would
require volume as large as that in which
this scheme of organization (present army
slaf) is attempted to be explained, reconcil-
ed and enforced, to develop the almost num-
berless inconsistencies and extravagancies
which flow from it; and to depict the paralys-
ing effect j, must have on martial efficiency,
and on the general purposes Of good govern
ment Of the army as national institution"
And will conclude with adding the impress
sion, that its full development would paralyse
and exhaust National treasury.
Gen. WILLIAM LAMBERT has been elected Mayor