Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1841-12-23

I q pttu, the snort period they are re-
tanned and the readiness with which ;hev
tare surrendered. Few persons unac-
quainted with the particulars would cred
TT the number Of designations rendered.
and the nuraber of commissions issued
every year. Officers at rstuniaform-
ed, who do not retain their commissions
long enough to become acquainted with
Their duty. cannot of course impart in.
struetlon to others. Under such circum.
stances the subject becomes distasteful
to themselves and to those under there
command. For, though the law requires
t'iree years service frnsa esefy commits
stoned officer, before he can acquire The
right to resign. yet,as the public can re-
ceIve little benefit from those who have
no inclination for the service. it will rare
be progressivel + inefiicient-and yet thu
" happen that resignation will be feiec-
ted. While this apathy continues. all
discipline is destroyed and dlsoreaniza
ton, IS the necessary consequence.
Such system mustduties. ii inposes
are burdensoine, to thepeaple. with
out ar equisaientn dvantage; aud the
expense with which It is atteo-
ded, greatly exceeds any benefit it con-
.fers. Some innovation IS necessary to
impart to it new life and vigor. In an
eneeavor to remedy some of its defects.
| beg leave to offer Few suggestions for
your consideration. 1t may well be
questioned, whether the present mode OF
e'ectlng officers. provided BY the act Of
1854, has not been productive of more
,injurY than utiiity-whether it is not a
fruitful source Of intrigue, insubordina-
ton and relaxation Of discipline, incoe-
sistent with.the true spirit and etficien-
cy OF military operations. IA time Of
war especially. il would seem to be at
variance with every principle by which
the movements of an army are regulated.
But, even IN time of peace, besides these
objections, the assemblage OF tie people
from inconvenient distances in the coun-
try, at inconyenient times, merely to
elect officers, must be source Of great
annoyance. They felt no respect for
the system; are generally Indifferent as
to the selection of officers, and their OBJ.
iect in many instances seems toy be to
bring it into ridicule and contempt.-
fhe law in this aftieniar has heen at
tended with no pereeivable benefit, but
its disadvantages are obvious and numer
The Adiutant- General, as well as bis
predecessor. both officers of experience:
and high diligence, have earnestly re-.
commended the restoration of the aface
of Brigade Inspector, which was abolish
ed by the act of 1884. The failure to
perform essential duties, the inability in
many cases to give proper instruction at
the annual trainings, the want of unifer.
nifty in the tactics, the excitement of
disgust instead Of honorable emulation a.
mong the officers, are some Of the conse-
quences of abolishing this Office. The
inaccuracies and. discrepancies in the
regimental returns, and the failure to OBJ
tain the true strength Of the militia. and
the number and condition of the public
arms, result from the same source. IN
ducing great loss to the Commonwealth.
There is reason to believe, that the ag.
gregate returns fall greatly below the &C
tuaI numerical strength of the militia
If this be true. the State must annually
be deprived of the full compliment of
arms to which she is entitled from, the
General Government. Tie quotas of
each State are distributed according Ia
its relative proportiofi of the militia OF.
the United States, as -ascertained by the
official reports from several States. Ehe
amount of arms, which are now annually
lost by defective returns. might contri-
butte materially to defray the additional
expense to to be incurred by the en-
ployment of the officers. BY deyolying al
So Upon tie Brigade Inspectatars duties
not heretofore required Of them, the pre-
posed change would be attended with adj
vantages amply compensating the State
for the additional cost 10 be incurred. II
this change be deemed inexpedient.
would respectfully recommeud such a.
mendments to the law as would secure
more full and accurate returns Of the
strength Of the militia. and of the number
and condition Of the arms in their pos
session.
The waste Of the public arms is a sub.
ject, which demands the irteposition Of
the Legislature. Under the existing
laws, it is the duty Of the Executive to
allow arms and requirements TO such
volunteer companies as appear from the
certificate Of the commandment Of the re-
giment to which they are attached, to
have The requisite number Of assn uni.
formed as required by lay. Every in
ducement should be oasred these Gem
panies, to stimuIstc them to become eff
Gent and permanent, particularly in
tie. present condition Of the milf
of Tia. But suitable provision, should he
made Cor the preservation and return the
arms, when from any cause 4 company is
disbanded. AIT present. such i result is
followed by an almost total loss Of the |