The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-17
Report of the Adjutant General.
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE,


WASHING TON, Nov. 90, 1850.
GENERAL: | respectfully lay before you the
following statement showing the operations Of
TIE Recruiting Serrice.
This important branch has been prosecuted
with zeal and the usual success. Two f,l l.
officers, fourteen captains, and ten subalterns are
employed for the general service, OF whom six
company officers arc engaged in recruiting for
the mounted corps, under the superintendent,
Major and Brcvet Colonel Cooke, of the second
Dragons. Eighteen captains and subalterrs,
under the general superintendent, Major and
Drevet Colonel Waite, Of the 9Th infantry, have
been employed in recruiting for the foot regi-
ments
The receiving dcpois and schools of instruc-
ton, established in the harbor Of New York and
at Newport barracks, Kentucky, for the artillery
and infantry arms; and the one at Carlisle bar
racks, Pennsylvania for the mounted regiments,
are commanded by Jealous and experienced off
GERS. The system, as heretofore, greatly condu-
ces to the economy discipline Instruction, and
despatch in forwarding recruits to the several
regiments. The principal depot having been
some years since temporarily transferred to Gov
crnors Island, New York, while Fort Wood
was undergoing repairs, has been re- established
the present year on Bedlow's Island.
The accompanying statement 90 exhibits in
detail the number Of recruits enlisted in the army
from October |, 1910, to September 80, 1850,
inclusive from which it will be seen that the
number enlisted is
For the general service 1881
BY regiments:
For the lst and I'd Dragons 70
For the four regiments of artillery 3ll
For the eight regiments Of infantry 4O5
For the company Of sappers and miners 10
Total 1906
Owing to the mrrat dispersion of the troops
and their stations on the distant frontiers, but
few recruits can be enlisted in the regiments.
To this cause together with the recent augmen-
tation Of portion Of the rank and file, may be
ascribed the increase in the number Of officers
and Of the expenses for recruiting the past and
current year, when compared with the state Of
the service prior to the late war with Mexico.
According to the present laws, the number of
enlisted men Of the line is 1928. The term
being five years. one fifth Of this number, sup.
posing the army to b" full, (2,304) goes ont
every year by expiration of enlistment Add
the loss, by death, discharges for disability, and
desertions, the number will be increased to abou,
onc-thrd, g 500 which is required to be all
nuaIly supplied by new recruits.
The records show that, of the 70 500 persons
who have offered themselves the current year
at the recruiting stations, only 1854 were &C.
cepted by the recruiting officers, as able bodied
and otherr'Se fill for the serricr The rejection of
so large proportion of applicants (more than
hve-slXths) evinces due observance of the Jaw
and regulations on the part of the recruiting
officers; and in no one particular perhaps is
greater attention bestowed. upon the observance
of either, than in respect to the cnlisting of
minors In amending the provisions of the act
Of March lG, 1902, section |, by the new law
approved September %, 1850, section 5, direct
ing the discharge of minors, the public interest
seems to have been overlooked IN the omission
to prescribe some adequate penalty or punish
ment in cases of minors, Especially those of 10
or 20 years of age,) who so frequently impose
themselves upon the recruiting officer by falsely
affirming themselves to be 81 years of age, and
frequently more.
In many instances it is impossible to know
whether the minor tells his true age or not; and
although, in all cases where minors affirm that
they have neither parent, master nor guardian,
the recruiting officer is required to certify that
he has made GIligent inquiry, and that the ar.
nations OF the recruit, appear to be true yet,
all these precautions fail, i'll many cases. to
gn'rd against the fraudulent enlistment of
minors, whose discharge is subsequently de-
mandcd 10y law. The records show that, during
the year ending September 80, 1850, no less
than 1854 applicants have been refused at the
rendezvous on account Of their being minorS..-
Under the present circumstances Of the service,
therefore, it is very clear that, unless the new
law above cited be so amended as to provide
penalty for this description Of frauds, upon the