Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-23
THE ARMY.

we give pelow, as matter OF importance at the
present time epitome of the bill for the increase
and more perfect organization of the Army reported
to the Senate yesterday by Mr.. SHIELDS. 1t is not
as perfect sketch as we could have desired but il
will afford the reader an idea Of the change proposed
The necessity of an increase of the army appears
be generally admitted; and, judging from the re-
port of the Secretary of War; it is in regard to
which the greatest prompttude is desirable
Section adds four additional regiments to the army
Section provides for corps artillery Of two colones
four lieutenant colones twelve majors and twentyfour
companies organized as at present and the artillery
in service who may not be retained in the corps be
transferred the regiments by the first section
Section provides that the present regiment Of dra-
goons and mounted rifles shall be styled regiments Of
vay and that first leutenants shall be added each
regiment Of infantry and cavalry.
Section adds to the corps OF engineers, exgencies
may require, one brgadier general colonel four
ors, eight captains eight first ieutenans, eight second
ieuenants and company Of engineer soldiers organized
provided by laws and dsconnues the corps Of topogra
phca engineers transferring its officers to the corps Of
engineers or other corps regiments
Section provides that the ordnance corps shall
sst of colonel two lieutenant colonies, eight majors,
and the military storekeepers and enlisted autho
rzed by law and that the officers Of ordnance retain
ed in the corps be transferred to other corps
gments Of artillery at the discretion c. the President and
such additional officers may be required from time to
time be detailed from the other corps of the army
Section provides that instead of the present number
there shall be nine brgadier generals, aduant gem
era quartermaster general two inspector generals
and various commssaries and quartermaster Sc
service may require, limiting the commissaries assistant
quarermasers and assistant commissaries to not
than each regiment and each separate post be
selected from the euenants Of the army and receive
not than twenty dollars nor less than ten dollars
per month above their pay
Section provides that appointments in the staff Of adj
info
rail- judge advocate, assistant aduant general quarter
MASTER and commissary shall confer additional rank
in the army and that such appointments may be revoked
and the officers return their ordinary duties whenever
the President may deem it necessary and the assistant
quartermasters and assistant commssaries may be APP
pointed and removed under such regulations the Pres
dent may adopt, and he may appoint officers to the staff
without prejudice to their rank, sc.
Section provides that general officers be appointed by
the selection Of brgader general Of engineers from the
engineers colonel Of ordnance from the corps ordnance
in all other promotion shall be made by seniority,
to colonel Inclusive except in cases Of debility ncom
potency Promotions to captain inclusive, be made
regmentay vacancies in the grade Of major Of ordnance
to be filed by selection from the engineers artillery
Section provides that the President shall prescribe
the of aiming and equppng the troops according
to class Of service.
Section 10 abrogates certain features Of the act of
1906, and adopts other provisions in their stead.
Section il provides that the officers and men raised
der this shall have oil the benefits of former acts as
regards provision for pensions, Sc.
Section II provides for increase of pay the officers
as follows: major general 1926 per month brgadier
general S165; colonel 1896; lieutenant colonel $l15;
major $685. captain cavalry 1856 captain Of artillery and
infantry S75; first lieutenant cavalry $685. first euten-
ant Of artillery and infantry S57 second lieut. cavalry
$685. cadet $685. inspector general and paymaser general
to receive the pay Of colonel ANY officer absent from
duty more than thirty days, unless of wounds
received in action is to receive only his pay without al
lowances.
Section 10 provides that when officer is incapable
Of complying with ORDERS and applies voluntarily to be
retired from active service his is to be referred to
board of than thirteen and less than FIVE Of
fcers to be detailed from those Of superior rank which
board is to report to the Secretary of War; and said
port be laid before the President for his approval or
disapprova disability is traced to vicious habits and
the President concurs in that opinion the officer is be
dropped from the rolls.
We understand that the Committee on Military At
fairs in the House Of Representatives are working
diligently upon bill for the increase and greater
efficiency of the army, and that report may be
shortly expected.