The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-05
THE CONDITION OF THE FIELD OFFICERS OF THE
AMERICAN ARMY.

AMERICAN ARMY.
ApIuTANr GENERAL's OFFICE
Washington, July 80, 1896. }
SIR: view Of the actual service as II has been, and
especially 1t now Is must convince you that the
complement Of field officers for the several regiments OF
artillery, infanry, and cavalry is inadequate and that
the service at this time greatly needs the addition oil one
ajer to each for duty in the field The regiments in
Mexico do not average field ofcer, and when the
operations pushed into the interior OF the enemys
country there may be several bettaons as is the case
with the 9TH infantry, which will be commanded by
captains
ments under General Taylor an additional aor should
be allowed to be selected from the active captains of their
respective The second major found indispen
SADLY necessary in former OF the army "a
was the case during the with England The staff
corps well provided with this very useful grade OF
field officers in three of which engineers Typographical
cd cur eacb) the law provides for the whole twelve
regim onts OF infantry and artillery. The comp cement vi
recruit instruct and discipline the troops and who must
lead them into battle is utterly insufficient and this the
present state of the actual service in the field too clearly
demonstrates. The returns and reports from General
Taylor show the great deficiency in this the junior grade
Of field officer with the army under his command, which
il is not possible to supply with our present means Tor
the disabled and invalid lists, is well known is not
likely to be diminished but rather increased.
need not dwell upon the fact when state how indis
penably necessary is that every regiment in campaign
against Mexico should have at least two field officers
Gent aid and support in military operations, and for the
command of regiments and maintenance of discipline in
the field, the regular force canno; move and act with
which the country have the right TO expect
II second major BIS not <Owed by Congress, il is
certain that the regiments and baalions in Mexico Will
often be without field officer
Nothing but thorough conviction OF the necessity OF
the measure derived from knoWledge oil acts, would
induce to present this communication TO you at this
time.
am sir, with great respect your obedient tervant,
Adjutant General U. s Army
Hon. w. L. MARCY,
Secretary OF War.
List Of the tweips field officers of The four regiments Of
artillery on duty and those who from age or other dts-
ability are disqualified for field service.
CoLoSELs,
|. James Bankhead, 81 artillery commanding AT New
York, the only field officer the seaboard from Maine
TO New York. and who must continue in the discharge
of his present important duties Dce ordered 10 Mex
leo; sailed hence two days ago.
. j. D. Walbach, 4th artillery, in command at Fort
Monroe and where his services are requiredi disqua
fed, from age, for active field service
3 j. u. Crane, LIST artillery, NOV member Of n court
of inquiry at Fort Monroc-previousy on six months
leave FOR the benefit of his healthy not physically able
TO take the field for active service.
Charleston station, whose services required the
seabosrd Now in command at Tampico1
LIEUrENANT coLoNELs
l. A. g. w. Tanning, I'd artillery, the recruiting
seryice physically disqualified from taking the field
q b. X. Pierce, LIST artillery, commanding the PEN
sacola station state of his health allowing him to
take the field he has tried it very recently.
3 NJ. NJ Payne, Ath artillery, absent; disabled by
wounds received in the battle of Ressca do la Palma
a. f. s. Belton ID artillery, commanding on the Bau
more station, where his services are now required.
Now at Tampico.I
John Erving, I'd artillery, just returned from the
army in Mexico, not being able to do field duty.
2. Levi Whitings LIST artillery, commanding in Florida
where his services indispensable relieved from fol-
lowing his regiment into the field in consequence OF III
health
w. l.. McClatock, Sd artillery, cannot walk could
not when no wos promoted in June 1913 and will pro-
badly never be able to do a days duty.
A. John l.. Gardner tth artillery, serving with his ro
gimont in Mexico.
Remarks.
twill be seen from the foregoing that of the twelve
Held officers OF artillery only one and he the Junior ma
ior Is with the army IN Mexico, where there are four
battaons OF artillery two consisting Of six companies
each, and two of Eve in ALL - companies With these
battsons General Taylor ought TO have the services of
not less Than six field officers Of artillery, especial
ly when the nature OF the campaign the latitude and
climate considered but there only one Other field
oficer, and he the junior Lieutenant colonel who can