Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-12-20

Tory lnnaOlLeu OY netI1nuldnS'- s4uS seN-
tiers on the frontier have suffered much
from the incursions of predatory bands,
and large parties of emigrants to our Pa
ci6c possessions have been massacred
with impunity. The recurrence of such
scenes can only be prevented by teaching
these wild tribes the power of, and their
responsibility to, the United States
From the garrisons of our frontier posts,
it is only possible to detach troops in small
bodies and though these have on all oc-
casions displayed gallantry and stern
devotion to duty, which larger on
field would have commanded universal
admiration, they have usually suffered
severely in these conflicts with superior
numbers, and have sometimes been en-
tirely sacrificed. All the disposabe force
of the army is already employed on this
service, and is known TO be wholly made
gate to the protection which should be af-
forded. The public mind Of the country
has been recently shocked by savage
atrocities committed upon defenceIeSs
emigrants and border settlements, and
hardly less by the unnecessary destruction
of valuable lives, whore inadequate de-
tachmeuLs of troops have undertaken to
furnish the needed aid. Without incrcH e
Of the military force, these sc"Ecs VII, be
repeated, is to be feared, Gu a larger
scale, and with mcIc disastrous conse
! quences. Congress-, am sure will per-
ceive that the pIainest duties and reSpon-
SibiliLies of government are involved IN
this question, and doubt not that prompt
action may be confidently anticipated
when delay must be attended by such
fearful hazards.
The bill Of &c last session, providing
Tor an increase Of the pay of rank and file
OF the ARM has had beneficial results,
not only in facilitating enlistments, but ii
obvious improvement in the class of men
who enter the service. 1 regret that cor
responding consideration was not bestuw-
ed on the officers, who in view Of their
character and services, and the expenses
to which they are necessarily subject, re-
ceiYc at present what is. in my judgement
inadequate compensation.
The valuable services constantly rem
dered by the army and its inestimable im
portance, as the neuclus around which
the volunteer forces of the nation Can
promptly gather in the hour of danger
sufficiently attest the wisdom Of maintain
ing a military peace establishment but
the theory of our system and the wise
practice under it, require that any pro-
posed augmentation, in time Of peace, be
only commensurate with our extended
| limits and frontier relations. While scru-
pulously adhering TO this principle, | find,
in existing circumstances, a necessity fOr
increase Of our military force, and it is be-
leved that four new regiments, two oil
infantry and two Of mounted men. will be
sufficient to meet the present exigency.-
lift were necessary carefully to weigh the
cost in a case of such urgency, it would
be shown that the additional expense
would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical
force of the army should, think, be com
bined certain measures of reform in its
organic arrangement and administration.
The present organization is the result OF
partial Legislation often directed to spe-
cial objects and interests and the laws
regulating rank and command, having
been adopted many years ago from the
British code, are not always applicable to
our service. 1t is not surprising, there
fore, that the system should be deficient
in the symmetry and simplicity essential
to the harmonious working Of its several
parts, and require careful revision.
The present organization, by main,
tanning large staff corps or departments,
separates many officers from that clio ,e
connection with troops, and those active
duties in the field, responsibilities Of high
command. Were the duties of the army
staff mainly discharged by officers de-
tached from their regiments. it is believ-
ed that the special service would be
equally we'll performed. and the disci-
plIne and instruction Of the army be i'm
proved. While due regard to the secu-
rity Of the rights of officers, and to the
nice sense of honor which should be cul
tIvated among them, would seem to exact
compliance with the established rule Of
promotion in ordinary cases, still it can
hardly be doubted that the range Of pro
motion by selection which is now practi-
cally confined to the grade OF general Of
ticers, might be somewhat extended with
benefit to the public service. Observance
| of the rule OF seniority sometimes leads.
especially in time of peace, to the promo
ton Of officers who, after meritorious and
even distinguished service, may have
been rendered by age or inGrmity inca,
pable of performing active duty, and
whose advancement, therefore, would
tend to impair the efficiency of the army.
Suitable provision for this class Of officers,
by the creation Of retired list, would
remedy the evil, without wounding the
just pride Of men who, by past services,
have established claim to high consid-
Grafton. In again commencing this mea-
sure to the favorable consideration OF
Congress. would suggest that the pow
err Of placing officers on the retired list be
limited to one year. The practical ope-
ration of the measure would thus be tes-
ted. and if. after the lapse Of years, there
should be occasion to renew the provision
it can be reproduced with any improve
,ub ioh Ypariu0co D,ov inIiCoto