The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-16

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twelve thousand men ever TO be organized and com
manded by hut major general!
Mr. BOYD. The army before the war was command
ed by but one major general
| M BURT What was General Gaines'
| Mr. BOYD He major general by brevet
Mr. BURT. Did he not command as major general
! MIR BOYD That depended the regulations pre-
Mr.. BURT think the army before the war did not
exceed seven thousand men, and then you had two
major generals and ten brigader generas-bevets ncu-
ded And why were these brevet appointments I'M
derake TO say that in country, OF whose military his
tory the world has any information has regular army
ever been organized with less than major general to
every four thousand and one brgadier general 10
every two thousand men,
peace establishment, which the country about
do it policy to retain large dispropoon OF oi
to the rank and flea mere skeleton OF an army SO
that might be increased not by increasing the command
ing corps, but simply by filling up the rank and file IL
was to the fact that troops were commanded by eX
perenced officers that the country was indebted foI the
glorious battle of Buena Vista Suppose that field had
been commanded by volunteer officers instead OF officers
of the regular army did any man doubt that most glo-
Ms Of our a bs 1s
their full part of the work-officers and men
Mr. BURT But by whom were they 1e@on' Who
Mr. RG ef ElRd1s IN 'i reply to this
stated the facts. Being of the actors in the whole
engagement, he took up the narrative and rehearsed IN
order every circumstance which led to the selection OF
the field of Buena Vista 1t was mooted question by
the public press and the credit OF making the selection
had by many of his friends, been ascrbed to Gen WOOL
an officer of the regular army. But upon inspection OF
the question: with his perfect knowledge OF Its history,
he had hesitation in deciding that the poslon select
ed and fortified for the battle was first pointed out by The
lamented Col Hardin volunteer officer from his own
| State.
Mr. BURT resumed his remarks; and after brief
conversation with the gentleman from Kentucky, In
which he claimed for the corps OF engineers their share
of the credit of selecting this battle ground and alrmed
that, in cases. whole corps OF engineers would
be composed entirely of oicers,-he concluded by rec
ting the circumstances under which General Taylor and
General Twiggs received their promotion, and the injury
the service and the injustice to many brave otcers
which would result by the operation oil The law winch IL
was proposed now to repeal
| MI. HASKELL followed, taking the same view, and
stating his knowledge OF cases OF individual hardships
which would result from the operation OF the existing
! Mr. HARRISON was opposed from the first to the
provso for reducing the number OF the general officers OF
the army when it was passed two years ago; and 1t
would be strange il he should 60 for It's repeal
He spoke OF the severity Of the operation OF this proviso
upon the eTgaaer 70 Re aeeea by H. who the he
responsibility which it devoved upon the President OF
the United States in far it became his duty to dis,
charge Major General Taylor He quoted from the act
of March g. 1915, requiring two major generals and our
brgader generals, and inquired for the reason OF redu
cling their number now when our borders were SO greatly
With reference to the other sections of the bill Affect
ing the fifteen majors, who have been taken from the
old army, promoted from caplaincies to the positions
which they occupy ne said their present elevation
is their highest recommendation-he best acknowedg'
of their efficiency; and the operation OF this provi
would be to deprive these OF their chosen professions
and compel them to retire to private lie
Mr. THOMPSON asked if it not understood that
these officers of the old army to be restored to their
former rank supernumeraries?
4 Mr. HARRISON replied by suggesting the delicate
nature OF the work OF restoring these officers to their
former rank, on account of the interference it would
make with the commissions of those who now supply
M Mr. ]. R. INGERSoLL inquired particularly of the
effect which the third section Of the Senate bill will have
ad fro n
army to the quar;emaster's department. These 1t APP
peared to be retained in temporary service only,
while the to retain their former commissions
permanently.
Mr.. HARRISON replied that he was no advocate for
this OF the bill 1t was delicate matter to decide
With reference to the last Senate amendment he stated
his opposition in the Military Committee TO the amend
men proposed to the Senate amendment allowing three
months pay rest only the ground that he considered
the extra pay should embrace all who have gone to the
wars for the first duty of the soldier was to obey orders
Further, he said there was no reason why the bill
should not embrace. in this provision OF extra pay the
widows and orphans Of the fallen soldiers;
Mr.. Bolts moved that the House disagree to the
Senate amendment, and that committee OF conference
be appointed with view to put the bill into some shape
that may be acceptable to both houses of Congress.
Mr.. McCLERNAND continued the discussion in OPP
position to the continuance OF establishment IN time
Of peace His position to suspend the law for
reduction of officers till militia system could be estab
lished
Mr. McLANE spoke of a change in the 4h section of
the bill The gentleman from Kentucky had clearly in
Dictated that the strength of the peace establishment
to be 600 Would his friend from Illinois pretend
that the additions of major general and two brgadier
generals will make that peace establishment! Mr.
Mel. went into statement to show the necessity OF re-
tanning the officers enumerated in the second section.
He considered that the western frontier would now
require at least four regiments OF troopsfou regiments
OF the regular army, OF If this be correct opn-
ion, plain that major general would be necessa
ry there and then there would be the divisions OF
New York and New Orleans TO be supplied also
Mr.. BOYD The gentleman supposes we shall need
onntu tho and he
establishment before the war mr. Mel. corrected this
statement Well, stand corrected. But then, after the
gentleman has given his four regiments from the old ar
N.Y. account of the increase of the companies from AZ
to g. he will still retain for the old States force larger
than we had when the commenced.
Mr.. McLANE maintained these would not be sufi-
Gent
Mr.. BOYD explained again.
Mr. McLANE proceeded to say, that he meant to vote
generals permanently because he considered these Off
GERS necessary for the peace establishment He meant
this without regard to any subtees about breve officers
He hoped that by the committee of conference, we
should have retained the necessary staff officers for the
quartermaster's department.
With reference to the 4th section, he submitted sin
gle view Ifthe House had the naked view of the ques
ton, without the statements they would find diff
Guilty in deciding it. The House and the country would
make no distinction between the officers of the old army
who were promoted, (knowing what the tenure
was) and men in civil life who received similar appoint
ments.
Il Mr. Bolts said he had received communication
urging the necessity Of retaining the officers mentioned
in the third section but, TO time, he moved dsa-
greement to the Senate amendments, with view to the
appointment of committee OF conference; and this
|mn he demanded the question