Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-04-30
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MARCH 30. 1870.

RrFEaAEo 10 rHE COMMITTEE ON TIE MILITIA.
WAR DErARrnEsT. MARcH %, 1910.
STA: In compliance with the resolution
Of the House Of Representatives ofthe 9Th
instant, ''that the Secretary Of War he re-
quested 10 communicates his plan in detail
70. the reorganization ofthe Militia Of the
United States" have the horor 70 sub
init the following report:
The impossibility Of guarding our ex-
posed frontiers by the small regular force
Of the United States. renders it necessary
that some plan should be devised to make
the militia available without burdening
the country. either by too great an ex-
Pense in maintaining il in the field. or by
abstracting too large . number Of useful
citizens from the productive labors OF
agriculture or OF the mechanic arts.
The mass Of the militia Of the United
States, a. at present organized, does not
fall short Of one million FIVE hundred
thousand men; and every day that they
are mustered for inspection or exercise
abstracts at least one million Of dollars
from the earnings Of labor. without adding
any thing whatever TO the mil eff.
cheney Of the country. and too often ef.
fecting inJuriouSly the moral condition OF
those who are assembled for the purpose.
Left by the little instruction they receive
on such occasions. without discipline, sub
ordination, or knowledge Of the use Of
arms. and totally ignorant Of the manner
OF taking care OF themselves or Of each
other in the field. such a militia, il called
out 10 mass, would rather prove q burden
than an assistance 10 the army employed
10 the defence ofihe country, as is shown
by the experience Of Gen. WAsHIHcToE,
repeatedly expressed in his correspon.
dence, a. well as by the result of more
recent events during the last war. II is
true that, in the principal cities Of the
United States, there are 10 be found we'll
organized. disciplined, and so!dierlike
companies, battalions. regiments, brigades,
and divisions Of volunteers; men who, in.
dividual;y and collectively. would do good
service in the Geld. But any one aequaint-
ed practically with war knows that 10
fight brayely, and even to maneuvre cool
ly and skiIlfuIy. on the Geld Of battle, are
not the most neeessaryqusli6catio Of the
soldier. They ars perhaps, The most CON-
mon. and the least often called into action.
Soldiers must be taught their duties ia
garrison, and in the 6eld. in marching
and encamPing, in the police and militia.
~ administration Of an army. This in-
structioo, 80 essential, and without which
Il is Impossible TO form The soldier, cannot
be given In days training. by 'ofSeefs
nearly a. ignorant Of these branches Of the
seTvice ~ the soldiers themselves. Ispsak
OF the generality Of the militia officers. II
must be impaired BY veteran sHd SkiIfel
ofbcsrs. In garrison and in camp, and TO
men aud officers alike; and IL must be
imPsstsd TO = few at . time. Any at
tsmpt 10 organize, discipline. ard render
every way So for service 10 the 6eld, the
unvieldy mass Of the militia Of this vast
country. which will soon ascend 10 two
millions Of men, must fail for want Of
means, snd leave the countFy exposed 10
the terrible disasters which will atlsnd
the hrst burst Of war upon its frontiers, II
they are 90 be defended by armed bat
undiseiplined muliitades.
Il hss been supposed that Il Siu be sui.
seisnt 10 instruct the odieeFs only, and
that the pFivs,es cen. under wsli-insiTucl.
ed officers, Be formed into soldiers instant.
~. BY the magic voices Of good comman.
deFs. This IL q double and smoss danger
ous error 10 the 6Est place. itFsqoires time
70 from . soldier, andeT the mosfpFactissd,
experienced. aud skiifui osicrfs, and our
cod might Be polluted By the foot Of the In
Sadsf, our cities iaksa aad sacked. and
COR forte occupied. before our armed ciii.
zsna could Be taught he elements o. ihe-
ties Or the simple use oftho 6relOck. And,
secondly. Il will prove . fatal eTor 70
suppose that al ofheer can Be formed By
being drilled as pFivsls. The habit Of
e0mmsnd, the pgomps eve, The firm lone.
the self possession ia moments q diAicul-
y sod daEsss, which inspire The men
Wiik eoafdsncs add c0urage. aad ere 70
essential 10 seeurs their ready obedience,
are The result % practice. The ofioers
and pFivsiss eho are together 10 The 6eld
must be drilled 10 set together. snd pFsc.
lised, he one 10 ihe duties Of obediencs.
and ihs other 10 those Of consmaad.
Saiisied hat go efficient lofee cennot
Be created BY drilling the ofBesrs siono,
e sell si Of lhe imprselicabiliiy % zen
derag he whole mas6 of Toe militia avail
able. q lhs sans dms. foF the dslsncs q
he coaaiFYi aad eonyinesd. from tie En-.
peFisnes o5 our past wars, ihaiii i nscsg.
sssy % ogFsaizs ED discipline select
bs3y 81 citisea soldiers, Nhe, "a 3 no,
meat q dagger. VII knoE her Fiaiions,
and heir duties when ssssEblsd there