The daily union., 1852-04-15
ror lhe UnIon.
..ru r..s. Prepare Tor War" = ~

pose OF injuring when necessary that OF an enemy
rely upon the navy TO defend our harbors naval depo
and cities the seacost, have, propose TO have
permanent iortihcsons but for the general defence Of
the country and of INVASION the reliance OF the
nation is upon an army composed Of its own citizens
The OF our Institutions and the feeling OF the peo
pie opposed 10 large standing armies in time OF peace
IL is, then. irfng question how TO provide efficient
army the breaking out OF war. The country has
within il immense military strength in the individual
character OF the OF the peoplein their almost uni
versal acquaintance with the OF fire and skill
in horsemanship which would enable rapidly 10 in
the present small infantry and cavalry force to any
desired extent But these two sufficient 10
constitute efficient army: in addition, competent
and sklu staff and administrative department. together
with we'll instructed corps Of artillery and engineers
absolutely necessary they form important elements in
the present organization OF the armies of civilized nations
speaking of service, il is intended refer
to the staff, to the infantry and cavalry. The artillery
and engineers numerically. far inferior 10 the other
two arms but their duties such to require great
practical skill on the part OF officers and men, which
only be acquired by long and careful training. When
the mass OF an army is composed OF troops,
must always be in the beginning Of war; il is than
essential that the staff the engineers and the ar
lery should be comparatively large in numbers and thor
oughly instructed.
In name have considerable tlery force but il has
been principally employed Duty and never has been
afforded the facilities absolutely necessary in acquiring
practical skill school of practice, suitable means of
instruction. chief directing head and opportunity all
that wanted TO make this Of the service what it
ought 10 be. The Military Academy answers well it's
admirable purpose but boys at school be taught
in four years all that is important and necessary should
be known by military Accordingly, find, in
every country except own schools of practice for the
instruction Of officers and soldiers, particularly for those
OF engineers and artillery.
There is an impression, both in and out OF the army TO
the effect that engineer soldiers useless except in the
attack and defence of permanent Notifications, pom
tonieIs. Yet we find in all European service CON-
pany of these troops attached to each infantry division in
campagnit forms component part of the division, and
constantly moves with it. The duties of this engineer
company consist in removing all obstacles 10 the prog
ress of the army to which they belong in ncrposng
obstacles to the passage OF the enemy laying out and
constructing batteries, magazines, and inrenchments
making roads, facilitating communications, &c. These
duties are performed on the field OF battle, as well in
the general operations and movements OF troops in cam
pagn, and are the most difficult and dangerous as well
as most Important OF all connected with the military SER
vice. In our own country we have found use for such
troops in the field in time OF war-durng the revolution
the war OF 1872 and more recently in the with Mex
ico Stern necessity compelled Washington 10 give to
foreign engineer officers any rank they chose to demand
in order to secure 10 the country competent directors of
engineer operations. The want of instructed enlisted
engineer soldiers soely felt bu, could only be reme-
died by attempting 10 train recruits these duties
Similar wants and disadvantages were experienced in
1912. During the Mexican one company of such
troops authorized by Congress; but, partially in
struced these hurried 10 the field and there
did the best they could Considering the disadvantage
under which they labored, they did themselves much
credit and made themselves useful on more than one
occasion TO every division of the army. There being but
one company, 1t was transferred from division TO
another, always accompanying the advance. II may,
them be stated ncontestabe fact that engineer SOL
diers in campaigns and the field operations OF armies
are OF great real utility.
In regard to seges the attack OF fortified towns
and such work in war, with Mexicans is sure to
be necessary-engineer troops are Indispensable
In reference to this last point. quotation from Ma.
piers History oil the War in Spain will be made for the
convenience and information OF those who have neither
time nor taste for investigating such subjects Speaking
OF his own government he says The best officers and
soldiers obliged 10 sacrifice themselves in lament
able to compensate for the negligence and inca
pacy Of government always ready punss the nation
into war; without the slightest OF what was neces
sary to obtain success. Their sieges succession
OF butcheres. because the commonesi materials and the
necessary their art, denied the engineers
An intelligent young American mechanic, of common
education, might. under good instruction, become mod
eratey proficient in all the duties OF sappe MINER and
pOntoniei, III years An enumeration oil the
only oil the various materials, and works which
he should be able to construct and direct others in con-
strucng. would form list occupying more space than
the whole OF this article will These troops can be made
eminenly useful in time OF peacen constructing block
houses, field works. quarters bridges roads, &c. on the
frontiers In assisting officers in Reconnaissance and sur
veys in looking after the repairs and preservation of
permanent Notifications various other duties be.
sides they, being efficiently armed, would in actual con-
with any kind of foe, do good service Their duties
in peace and war, such require high qualihca.
lions and long training The services OF battalion Of
such troops might be made invaluable to the country
An article headed Engineer Troops" was published
in the Union Of March 3ist At first il was considered
by the writer OF this communication to be unworthy of
notice but errors and incorrect assertions however
gross and paIpabe, may misead those not familiar with
the particular subject, OF the prominent msrepre
senations in the article above referred to will be briefly
commented upon. The insinuaton rejecting the mo-
tives OF the writer who furnished previous article on
engineer troops for the Union is unfounded II the writer
OF the second article connected with the company OF
engineer soldiers he and not the person he is replying to-
may be Justly liable the chaFge of interested personal
motives His assertion that the company, including its
material, (Which is for the OF the whole army and
purchased during the has cost the government ak
thousand dollars, wild guess, hazarded without data
on which form estimate, and is vastly the real
amount--probaby about near the truth is his
sweeping statement that il would cost to main.
tain regiment Of infantry than il does keep up this
one company of engineers when, in fact, the pay and
emouments Of the officers only OF regmentio say moth.
=. Il. ~.