The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-16

10 the view OF readers and will enable them to un
derstand the nature Of hs objections which are made
The order Of the War Department (Which we subjon)
dismounting six companies OF the light artillery This
subject We shall examine in short period in connection
with others. touching the general administration OF this
branch OF our public service:
:" We have before order from the Secretary Of War
Mr. Conrad. whereby perceive that six companies Of
hRh artillery are 10 be dsmounod, eavng but two-Tay
ors and Braggs batteresfor the whole army We
this very much An efficient and we'll light artillery
Is OF great importance in our country, where depend
the volunteer system enable TO create
large army. The bate Of Buena Vista" ought TO be
sufficient proof to Of this.
Napoeon-the greatest captain Of the age-has shown
TO the world how deeply he pressed with the meal
advantages TO be derived from efficient and well
trained light artillery Hs remodeled the systems OF Gnss
yus Adophus, Frederick the Great and Gbesuval giving
TO them lghtnsss aad mobility that been 10
TWO ms great predecessors and by his genius he brought
to that high degree OF perfection that produced results
OF his celebrated campaigns. Since them many i'm prove
ments by the French English Russians and Others
construction OF the carriages and the Of
ammunition, have placed il far above where it was
when Napoleon left it, enabling it with twice
the rapidly and mplish twice the results. In our
own country, the battles of Mexico, from Palo Alto to
the Gate OF Bsea bear evidence efficiency of this
branch OF our army and but for tho practice
Ing that had been going for years Previous what
could we have hoped do in those battles Could men
and horses suddenly brought together without practice
training, have accomplished those splendid achievements
the fields of Buena Vista r. Impossible. 1t only
by having this of service ready trained that
able to apply it with effect in the hour Of need Even
while write, hear from the Southwest thar the pow.
eriu and wake tribes of that frontier engagedin
tive hoslities. and laying waste the settlements of
newly acquired territory. Why these troops
ployed there where they DO of such great good
stead OF dismountng them had hoped hear that
or three of these batteries to be ordered that
frontier.
In,
dsmounted is tho necessity Of economy in the affairs Of the
War Department Let examine few OF the laws OF
Congress relating the light artillery and how far they
authorize this economy The second section of the
proved March 2 1921 fixing the military establish
men provides that each regiment of artillery shall consist
of and nine companies, ono of which shall
be desfgNated and equipped as light ariHery;' :"
the twelfth requires the President form and
complete of tho corps tho force authorized by
that act The in which find the organ
the light artillery mentioned is tho approved March
:, IS47, secton IL, which saysi And in ad.
dion the four companies authorized by the Of March
Z, 1921, DO equipped light artillery the President
Is hereby empowered phen he saA deem nfeeary to
designate four Other companies, in each regiment
be organized and equipped as light artlllery.' :
These the only laws which find that relate 20
the raising and keeping in mpanies Of light
artillery, aud think the language is clear and plic
that Congress intends there shall Be four composites desg
mated and sq"ippsd light artillery and that tho Pesi-
dent, Wtsn he shall deem nsesary, may designate four
other companies, NC
"e, the laws the support this portion
of our military establishment. We know that the last APP
bill for tho support of the army appropriated
great deal less than asked for particularly in the
Quarermascr Generals Department. But also know
the great reduction in the Quartemaster Generals
Inmates confined to miscellaneous items, to anspoa-
ton and what is technically called qaarermasers def
ciencles BY turning to that act approved Sd March,
ls5D which makos provision for fiscal year, and
by the approved 2sh September 1885, which provides
for the pse~f fiscal year. we 300 under tho heading of
Quartz rmasters Department. Regular Supplies
Por tho regular pples OF orags for tho LIST and
al regiments dragons, the eight companies of hight ayfa
ry, and the regiment of mounted rihemen, &c. -
eight hundred thousand dollars In the case and
wards million of dollars in the other BY this is
clearly Intention OF Congress support this portion
military establishment Congress has power, by the
con sutiou. 10 raise and supper, armies Congress has
exercised that and raised certain bataons of light
artillery, and made the sgnipa,sat OF certain portion i'm
perave To carry law Congress has appropriated
tho necessary money to rapport that organization; and
now by of executive power 10 help to cover heavy
expenses Incurred by the department OF the
General the force raised 10 deprived Of its equ pine
that the money may be applied purposes for which
Congress has refused give than certain sum.
Such /, short review of the laws upon the subject.
AT the close OF the Mexican the Executive awaited
himself OF the discretion allow ed him In the March
g. Isl7 and reduced the number OF batteries for-,he
legal estabshment-havng in this acted under tn. ad-
vice OF the heads Of Of the administrative
Of the army who have always shown peculiar hostility
have hanging about the Of government for nearly
forty years. and longer feel enough OF the soldier
appreciate the effect, Of ssyr DIV eops the benefits
IN. country of veteran corps Perhaps however their
present hostility may be owing their not having the
sFsets OF these batteries the fed OF battle they will
believe In they have rendered may render
they seem be without belief in the past faith in the
future Bat happy to be able to add that this
the Executive and, under the advice
younger men, of scientific a,anmen and recent e1-
psrience in tho Hcd OF tho last OF the late
our light artillery such basi, wouId enable to keep
pace with provemens and inventions of tho great
military establishments Of Enrope. But the present ad.
mini.tra,on think differently, and have Only Grip
Piled one tho important branches OF our military
sbmcnt but have brought It below the limit author
lied by the laws Of Congress
"We hope the Secretary will reconsider his ORDER and
If not entirely revoke H. modify IT, place artil.
ery on tho legal basi. that previous the Mexican
means OF keeping up instruction and diusng through
out each regiment"
GENERAL ORDERS, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Adjutant Generals Office,
No. ls. Washin gton, March 81, 1851
l. The companies OF light adultery, exccp, In the
eastern dvisonTayor's (k) let req mennnd in the
western dvision-Blagg's tC) Sd regmcnt-wl be dis.
Department.
IT, The four companies OF tho 7tb infantry Fort Bssv
enworth vii, be dismouned md the horses turned
the Quacrmaser Department. TO mount the recruits
orders for the psnes OF the LIST and I'd dragon,
in New Mexico.
III The number Of enlisted men OF ordnance will with.
delay, be reduced 0 limited by the
act OF April s, 1882, section I.
W. In OF necessity. officers OF mounted corp.
toned the frontiers may with tho sanction OF the
ma uda post colonel The If serving
IN pul mn