Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-05-19

ton ofthe Militia oftte u. States.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
March, goth, 1910.
Referred to tie committee on Elections.
WAR DEPARTMENT, }
march 20, 1910.
SIR:
In compliance with the resolution of
the House Of Representatives of the
9th instant, tthat the Secretary of War
be requested to communicate his plan,
in detail, for the reorganization of the
Sn.litia of the United States" I have
the honor to submit the following re-
port:
The impossibility of guarding our
exposed 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 ali expense in maintaining
it 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 Uni
ted States, as 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 mill
lion of dollars from the earnings of la
Dor, without adding any thing what
ever to the military efficiency of the
country, and too often affecting injuri-
ously the moral condition Of those
who are assembled for the purpose.
Left by the little instruction they re-
ceiye on such occasions, without dis
cipline, subordination, or knowledge
of the use of arms, and totally ignor-
ant of the manner of taking care of
themselves or of each other in the field
such a militia, if called out in mass,
would rather prove burden than an
assistance to the army employed in the
defence ofthe country, as is shown by
the experience of Gen. Washington,
repeatedly expressed in his correspon-
dence, as 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 to be found
well organized, disciplined, and sol
der like companies, battalions, regi-
ments, brigades, and divisions of vol
unteers; men, who, individually and
collectively, would do good service in
the field. But any one acquainted
practically with war knows that to fgh
bravely, and even TO manoeuvre coolly
and skilfully, on the field Of battle are
not most necessary qualifications o
the soldier. They are, perhaps, the
most common, and the least often call
ed into action. Soldiers must be laugh
their duties in garrison, and in the field
in marching and encamping, in the
police and military administration o
an army. This instruction, so essen
tial, and without which, it is impossible
to form the soldier, cannot be given il
days training, by officers nearly a
ignorant Of these branches of the ser
vice as the soldiers themselves.
speak of the generality of the militi;
officers. 1t must be impaired by vet
eran and skilful officers, in garrison
and in camp, and to men and officer
alike; and it must be impaired to fey
at time. Any attempt to organize
discipline, and render every way fit fo
/ service in the field, the unwieldy mas
|, of the militia Of this vast country, whic
: will soon ascend to two millions {
! men, must fail for want of means, an.
!. leave the country exposed to the terri
s BILE disasters which will attend the frs
!, burst of war, upon its frontiers, if the
= are to be defended by armed but undi;
n ciplined multitudes. .
IS 1t has been supposed that it will b
2 sufficient to instruct the officers only
n and that the privates can, under vel
e instructed officers, be formed into so
e diers instantly, by the magic voices I
: good commanders. This is a doubl
e and most dangerous error. In the fir
1t place, if requires time to form so
e der, under the most practised, exper
e enced, and skilful officers; and oul so
g might be polluted by the foot of the il
N vader, our cities taken and sacket
IL and our forts occupied, before our a
med citizens could be taught the ell
J. ments of tactics, or the simple use
ut the frelock. And, secondly, it wi
prove fatal error to suppose that q
officer can be formed by being drille
as a private. The habit of comman'
the prompt eye, the firm tone, the sci
possession in moments Of difficulty ar
danger, which inspire the men wi
confidence and courage, and are SO e
sential to secure their ready obedien'
are the result of practice. The Office
and priyates who are to act togeth
in the field, must be drilled togethe
and practised, the one to the duties
obedience, and the other of those
command.
Satisfied that an efficient force ca
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