The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-09

f" copy sfWS
medical officers who administer them and in this busi-
ness other agency is needed for economy or efficiency
To maintain separate corps for the payment OF the
troops an expense rather dspoportoned to the strength
OF our army But our troops are distributed great
an extent OF country that the pay officers the establish
rnen seem to have sufficient employment When troops
are assembled in campaign the paymasters might have ad
duonh duties imposed on them the of the militia
r chest and the payment (as TO in other ser
yces) OF money upon orders and warrants for other
branches OF the military administration.
Typographical services being included in the functions of
the corps of engineers and OF officers Of the general STAFF
it is not deemed expedient to retain separate
for the Typographical corps Engineers should be instruct
ed by proper practice and employment in all the
and important duties Of the engineer service that or
ganzaton is very Objectionable which makes permanent
distribution Of duties which should be equally shared and
practsed by ALL and approprates large portion Of Off
GERS to one and that ordinarily less important portion
of its services
In this connexon it may be in place to remark that as
the duties OF engineers require continued study and
perence Of special kind they require permanent body
OF officers But injury result from intrusting the
command OF troops, according to their military rank to
officers whose functions in the language of our articles of
war appcrain TO the elevated branch of military
rank Of engineers, Of other officers charged with mill
ary duties in accordance with the rule which governs all
other service.
The remarks relative to the specially Of the duties and
studies of engineers in measure apply to those Of
officers Of the ordnance But advantage will be found in
giving the hand to the officers OF ordnance the ben
hand p giving to the officers Of troops the opportunity of
acquiring useful practical information relative the
sructon and preservation of their and equipments
With this view 1t is recommended 10 retain in the ordnance
corps only small number Of permanent officers for the
important arsenals and duties to associate with
hen as assistants junior officers taken, by detail from
the regiments and corps
The Judge Advocates department has now only per-
manent officer Officers to oficiac judge advocates
courtsmaal appointed by the officers who order the
courts This duty requires legal study and experience
but it also requires familiarity with the military laws and
the customs and regulations Of the service is therefore
proper that judge advocates should be appointed from mill
itary officers, which Is the system practised.
In the proposed organization it is not intended to give
increased rank by virtue Of their temporary apponments
to the officers employed the military staff Their rank
would remain according TO their commissions in the army
1t be inexpedent to narrow the field Of selection by
defining the grade from which they shall be taken They
should receive the cavalry pay and allowances of the pext
higher grade.
This organization removes all grounds of controversy
and objection to the rank and exercise of command by
staff officers 1t leaves military rank to all the military
staff.
cannot doubt that organization upon these prn-
cples would materially increase the efficiency of the staff
and promote the general good of the service 1t would
qure OF course greater number Of officers in the reg
menis than the law now provides TO furnish the
mental duty. No injustice or undue hardshps would
probably result to individual officers of the present staff
corps in assigning them to regiments II the law for the
retired list shall pass. there will be difficulty this
head But in eSent the interest of individuals must
yield to the public good.
of material reforms In the artillery lire we have
larger body in proportion to the strength Of the army than
can be spared Tor the proper service Of ariers a IN fac
employed as infantry. As however, it is necessary that
every regular army should have proportion of artillery
armed Instructed and ready for service 1t is proposed
reduce artillery the size which service requires
and maintain. The regmental organization is
given to it, but in the field artillery by batteries
and proposed to organize 1t in corps of such size
only suffice for instruction and for necessary service
in the field and in the Notifications The officers and
in the artillery not required for the reduced corps to
be converted into regular infantry sufficient artillery
would be about half the strength of the present four reg
of artillery, and would leave enough to make two
regiments of infantry.
The cavalry force army being all required for
tive service of the kind there appears proprety in
making permanent distinction in the designation and
of the several regiments 1t is therefore proposed
place all the regiments Of cavalry the footing in
these respects and to leave in the power of the Executive
and equip them in such manner may be required
by the nature of the service in which they may be
ployed
The remarks just made in regard to dragons and mount
ed riAemen apply the Of infantry and foot emen
In increasing the force of foot troops is proposed to de-
sgnate them all infantry leaving to the Executive the
selection Of the and mode of instruction applicable to
their service in the field.
strong for this arrangement exists in the fact
that with the recent improvements in small arms it s
probable that the distinction in the armament of heavy
and light infantry and rifemen will nearly cease, espe-
cay in service where the whole force is liable 10 be
employed as light troops.
In the Prussian army even before the adoption of the
lated the instruction of the whole body of infantry.
1t has always been difficult to devise rule of military
promotion by which the interests OF the State may be Sc
cured in advancing but competent without ai
fcng the just pride of the officer violating the consid
Grafton due long and faithful service Undoubtedly If
possible that the appointing power should always
exercise perfectly enlightened and impartial Judgment
the rule Of promotion by selection might be advantageous
ly applied in filing up all the grades Of the army But in
military service has it been thought safe to adopt this
rule such extent and in army the difficulty OF
its application Is vastly increased by the usually seattle ed
condition of the forces well by other considera
tons
The appointment of fit for commissions in the lower
grades of the army may be in great secured by
requiring in all cases. preliminary examination as IS
now required for the promotion of cadets and non-com-
mssoned officers But with every precauton in the rst
appointment officers will be found unsuitable for dis
charging the duties Of the higher grades they may be-
disqualified in consequence of the inrmites OF age or
other disability. The proposed organization OF the general
staff provides remedy far relates to their important
duties by opening wide field for the selection OF general
and staff officers, and for replacing those who may, on
trial be found want the peculiar qualifications requisite
for those duties This principle may, perhaps be advan
agcously extended the selection of officers for some
other important stations the army just as 1T Is nov APP
plicable by law the appointment Of commander OF the
corps engineers 1t s necessary therefore, IN order 10
maintain an efficient body of officers that provision
shall be made for the above alluded TO- where Off
GERS may be disabled disqualified for promotion The
only for eecng this object without injustice TO
faithful public servants it, TO create retired list which
may provide the of retreat for disabled officers like
that which the institution OF military asylum has afford
ed to other disabled soldiers. This has already
gress and its final adoption is urgently recommended as
being absolutely essential to efficient reform Its adap
sion the service be tested by restricting to short
period Tone year the exercise Of the power to place officers