Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-08


| or they may become disqualified in consequence
Of the infrmities Of age or other disability The
| proposed organization Of the general staff pro-
vides remedy far as 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 to want the peculiar
qualifications requisite for those duties. This
principle may, perhaps, be advantageously ex-
tended TO the selection of officers for some other
important stations in the army, just as il is now
applicable by law to the appointment of a com
| mander of the corps of engineers. II is neces
sary, therefore, in order 10 maintain an efficient
body Of officers, that some provision shall be
made for the cases above alluded 10, where Off
GERS may be disabled or disqualified for promotion.
The only means for efecting this object without
injustice 10 faithful public servants Isl TO create
retired list which may provide the means of re-
treat for disabled officers, like that which the in
stitution of military asylum has afforded TO other
disabled soldiers. This measure has already re-
ceiyed the favorable consideration Of one branch
OF Congress, and its na.adoption is urgently re-
commended, as being absolutely essential TO an
efficient reform. Its adaptation 10 the service may
| be tested by restricting TO short period Zone
| year, the exercise of the power 10 place officers
on the retired list, and requiring the renewed au-
thority Of law for its continuance; and as to the
expense, though that is not the primary considera-
ton in question which involves the efficiency Of
| the army, il need only be remarked that, by the
present law, the disabled officer who renders no
service draws full pay, while, on the retired list,
he would receive much smaller allowance. SO
| far as relates to them, the expensive system is
that which keeps them on full pay. Whatever
military establishment nation maintains, should
be kept efficient; and il never can be so if the
higher ranks are occupied by officers incapable of
service The only choice is 10 retire them on
some reduced allowance, or TO disband them.
| The last is remedy too harsh to be applied to
faithful officers, disabled and worn out in its mill
| tary service. w ss#k s2 HsN
| For detailed information concerning the Mill
tary Academy, ] refer to the report OF the last
board of visiters, and 10 that of the chief engi-
neer, er o6icio, Inspector Of the academy. The
proposition submitted in my last annual report to
increase the academic time Of cadets by the addi-
ton Of one year, has been matnred and put into
effect by dividing the class last admitted into two
parts, the first to pursue the former of four
years, and the second, composed of the Junior and
less educated members, 10 pursue the newly arrang-
ed course of studies, which will occupy term Of
! five years. BY this arrangement, we avoid an in
Permission in the supply Of cadets TO be attached
| as brevet second leufenants TO corps and compa-
| mics; and all classes hereafter admitted will be
instructed according TO the plan of studies ar
/ ranged for the five years course. In general
terms, il may be stated that the scientific course
has not been increased, and that the additions
made are those appcrtaining to practical military
| instruction and extension Of the course of Lam
guages and national law These additions Were
deemed necessary TO qualify military officers for
the high and delicate duties tlSey are sometimes
required 10 perform; and they could not be added
/ without increasing the term subtracting some
thing from the thorough scientific education in.
\ cluded in the course heretofore pursued. 1854
| From recent inspection of the academy / can
| bear testimony to its successful administration,
and the many and decided Improvements which
| have from time to time been made Additional
means of instruction have greatly facilitated the
acquisition Of knowledge, and better arrangements
in the quarters and recitation rooms have materi-
ally contributed to the economy, comfort, and or
der of the corps. ss,i42 m f,4s,t.f.{ Y
| Iconcur in the recommendation of the chief
engineer for the establishment of new profess
sorship 10 replace that of Ethics and English
studies" This chair is now filed by the chaplain
of the post, and il il was ever desirable that the
| pastor of cadets should also be member Of the
academic staff the wider range recently given 10
the study OF pathology, national law, and the con-
templated addition of cognate branches renders it
! impracticabe for one person properly to perform
both duties. $3.50
Ialso concur in the estimates of that officer for
an appropriation for the commencement Of the
construction Of additional quarters for officers on
duty at the Military Academy. The necessity for
this is fully stated in the report Of the board OF
visitors and the chief engineer. The total cost OF
the proposed buildings is estimated at S44054 46.
about one-haf of which is asked for the current
| year.
The condition ofthe sea-coast defences is stated
in the report ofthe chief engineer The grant OF
appropriations for these works al the last two ses
sions Of Congress, after their suspension for sew
eral years, during which the policy Of continuing
them was very fully discussed, is regarded as a
final decision OF the question, and advert to the
subject only 10 say that recent experience in Eu-
rope has placed beyond doubt the wisdom OF that
conclusion. No defences can long avail people
who cannot meet their foes in the open field, and
our Notifications are not intended 10 serve as the
! refuge Of weakness or as the strong-holds OF I'M
popular power. On the sea-board in advance Of
populous cities and important harbors, they are
designed 10 arrest the progress Of hostile fleets
and force the invader 10 abandon bis attack, dis
embark his troops and pursue his attack by land
The capacity Of sea-coast defences 10 effect THIS
object against the most powerful ornaments that
have ever been placed ahoat is amply demon.
stratedb the results Of the late military operations
in the Black sea andthe Baltic a
Happily we may profit by the experience Of
others without suffering the evils that attend the
practical solution OF such problems
Though our arms have heretofore been consid.
cred the best in use, recent inventions in Europe
have produced changes in small arms which are
now being used in war, with such important resufs
as have caused them TO be noticed among the re.
markabe incidents Of battles and indicate that
material notifications viii be made in the future
armament Of troops. stft
The superiority Of the grooved or rife barrel
and elongated ball, in range and accuracy OF FIRE
has been long known, yet the difficulty Of loading
this weapon has hitherto, for most military pur.
poses, counterbalanced its advantages To over
come this difficulty two methods have been pro-
posed the frs by loading the piece at the breech,
has been for some time in use, but has defects
which all the ingenuity expended on II has failed
10 entirely overcome. The second method which
has produced the important results above indica-
ted, IL 10 obong ball Of such diameter az 10
be readily Introduced into the piece but which
afterwards is expanded so as 10 an the calibre.
This was at first done by providing rest or sup
he han ksr NTH