The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-31
Engineer Troops.

In the Union of the nth instant observed commu-
ncated article under the above head in which the writer
says be wishes 10 enumerae OF the various duties
OF those troops and TO set forth the in which
they can best be performed" For what purpose he wishes
10 do this, he does state; his object may be the best
good Of the country, and may also be the promotion of
interests that equivalent 10 his But, Judging
from the general tenor Of bis communication, | cannot
conceive the former TO be the genemans real motive.
There is bill now before Congress for the disbandmg
OF the only company OF engineer troops at present al
tached TO army This bill first up last session
in the form OF petition, which referred to the Com
mttee Military Affairs, who, after a thorough invest.
cation OF the subject reported favoraby TO its passage.
Ii passed the House OF Representatives without opposi-
ton and but for the almost Immediate close of the
sion, it would most undoubtedly have passed the Senate.
1t introduced the present session in the Senate by
General Shields the chairman of the Committee Mill
tary Affairs referred by the Senate that committee and
again reported syoably upon Immediately after which,
passed its frs, reading Now, what conclude
from the foregoing facts Is the opinion Interested
oiherwise OF the writer OF the article in question TO be
opposed TO that OF committees OF Congress, chosen
expressly for their judgment and knowledge OF military
affairs / think not
think it will be admitted by all dsinerest.d military
men that in this country, in time OF peace, corps OF
engineer troops not only entirely useless and
cessay, bot also detrimental TO the rest OF the army and
that in the event OF war, they could il considered
cessay, be enlisted drilled and prepared for the field in
three months II this is so-and imagine II will not be
denied-it will require more forcble Argument than the
writer in the Union has used TO convince any one that
good policy in the government TO maintain such an ex-
pensiye arm OF the service when il is not actually re-
aured lie says the principal object OF the organization
of the present company is 10 be instructed in, and
perform all the duties OF sappes, miners and pontoners
win the gentleman me for saying that have bad
the misfortune 10 serve in that company myself for pc.
rod OF FIVE years. and during that time there has been
one mining tool used The drill Of the sap (the most i'm.
portan OF the various drills Of the company be
learned by any soldier possessed Of intelligence
in one po weeks. II principally conssls-like the
work Of throwing up entertainments constructing earhen
batteries, &en an expert use OF the shovel and pick.
The contingent duties mentioned we have not BEEN and
probably never will be, called upon TO perform Those
reserved for cZen-dependanls Of the service, VINO
are paing 10 receive from 10 three and ball dol
lars per day fort keepers, overseers OF laoorers &C.
Sc Again in specifying The duties Of englneer-sol-
diers he SAYS Quoting from the act OF May IS, 1851
they shall aid in giving practical instructions IN their
duties al the Military Academy" About twenty-three
wears since a detachment Of artillery were ordered 10
West Points one half OF them were 10 be engaged in the
military instruction Of the cadets the other hall 10 be
empIoyed as police OF the post will the gentleman please
10 morn the public how this detachment Is, or has
been, employed Again: he says, in 1912 there was
company Of bombarders, sappers and miners created
10 be attached to the corps Of engineers The bonn
barliers mentioned were body Of men who were sent
to West Point for military Instruction, and, whea ihey
became proficient in their duties they were TO take place
ia the line as commissioned officers as vacancies oc
rnrrod Those men were disbanded Their "promo-
tionss were like our contingent dues"-neyer men.
toned ereept IN the recruiting Offices As to the detail
Of Inc duties Of engineer troops laid down by me wnier
in The Union they nothing than can be READ IN
any French work military engineering usefal onB
such battles as that Of Lodi those OF the fen,nsur
campaign His object appears TO be to snow 'ne I'M