Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-12-14


possible to detach troops in small bodies; and
though these have ON all occasions displayed
a callantry and a stern devotion to duty,
which on a larger field would have command
ed universal admiration, they have usually
suffered severely in these conflicts with superb
or numbers, and have sometime sheen entirely
sacrificed All the. disposable force of the ar
my is already employed in this service, and
is known to be fully inadequate to the protee
ton which should be afforded.
The public mind of the country has been
recently shocked by savage atrocities commit
ted upon defenceless emigrants and border set
Elements, and hardly less by the unnecessary
destruction of valuable lives, where inadequate
troops have undertaken to furnish the needed
aid Without increase of the military force,
these scenes will be repeated, it is to be fear
ed, on larger scale, and with more disas-
trous consequences. Congress, am sure,
will perceive that the planest duties and re-
sponcibilaties OF government are involved IN
this question, and [ doubt not that prompt
action be confidently anticipated when delay
must be attended by such fearful hazards
The bill of the last session, providing for
an increase of the pay of the rank and file of
the army has had beneficial results not only
in fa cilitating enlistments, butin obvious I'M
provement in the class of men who enter the
service / regret corresponding considera-
ton was not bestowed on the officers, who, IN
view of their character and services, and the
expenses to which they are necessarily subject
receive at present what is In my judgement.
inadequate compensation.
The valuable services constantly rendered
by the Army, and itsinestimable Importance,
as the nucleus around which the volunteer
forces of the nation can promptly gather in
the hour Of danger, and sufficiently attest the
wisdom af maintaining military peace es-
tabfishment; but the theory of our system
and the wise practice under it, require that
any proposed augmentation, in time of peace,
be only commensurate with our extended
limits and frontier relations. While scrIpu-
lously adhering to this principle, find, in
existing circumstances, necessity for an IN
crease of our military force, and it is to be be-
ieved that four new regiments, two of infant
ry, and two of mounted men, will be sufficient
to meet the present exigency. If it were ne
cessary to weigh the cost in a case of such ur-
gency, it would be shown that the additional
cost would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical forces
of cur army should, think, be combined GER
tain measures of reform in its organic arrange
ment and administration. The present or
ganization is the result of partial legislation
often directed to special objects and interests I;
and laws regulating rank and command hav-
ing been adopted many years ago, from the
British code, are not always applicable to our
service. 1t is not surprising therefore, that
the system should be deficient in the symme-
try and simplicity essential to the harmoni-
of re
careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining
large staff corps, or departments separates
many officers from that close connection with
troops, and those active duties in the field,
which are deemed requisite to qualify them
for the varied responsibilities of high COM
mand Were the duties of fsthe army staff
mainly discharged by officers detached from
their regiments, it is believed that the spe-
cial service would be equally well performed,
and the discipline and instruction of the army
be improved. While due regard to the Sc
curity of officers, and the nice sense of honor
which should be cultivated among them, would
seem to exact compliance with the establish
ed rule of promotion in ordinary eases, still.it
can hardly be doubted that the range of pro-
motion by selection, which is now practically
confined to the grade of general officers,
might be somewhat extended with benefit to
the public service.
Observance of the rule of seniority some
times leads, especially in time of peace, to
the promotion of officers, who, after meritori-
GUS and even distinguished service, may have
| been rendered by age or infirmity, incapable
of performing active duty, and whose advance
ment, therefore would tend to impair the eff
cheney of the army Suitable provision for
this class of officers by the creation Of re-
| tired list, would remedy the evil without
| wounding the just pride of men who, by past
services have established a claim to high con-
sideration. In again commencing tbs meas
ure to the favorable consideration of Congress,
[ would suggest that the power of placing
officers on the retired list be limited to one
year. The practical operation of the meas
ure would thus be tested, and if, after the
lapse of four years, there should be occasion
to renew the provision, it can be reproduced
with any Improvements which experience may
Indicate
The present organization of the artillery
into regiments is liable to obvious objections.
The services of artillery is that of batteries,
and an organization of batteries into a corpse
of artillery would be more consistent with the
nature of their duties A large part of the
troops now called artillery are, and have
been. on duty, in infantry; the distinction
between the two armies being merely nemi-
nal. This nominal artillery m our service is
entirely disproportionate to the whole force,
and greater than the wants of the cosntrv de-
mand I therefore command the dicontinu-
ance of a distinction which has no foundation
IN either the arms used or the character OF
the service expected to be performed
In connection with the proposition for the in
crease of TIE army, have presented these sugges