Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-21

bands and large parteS Of emlgraDtS TO Ouf
Pacific 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 garrison of our
I frontier posts, it is only possible to detach
troops in small bodies; and though these have
on an occasions displayed gallantry and
stern devotion to duty which on larger held
would have commanded universal admiration,
they have usually suffered severely IN these
conflicts with superior numbers, and have
sometimes been entirely sacrihced.& All the
disposable force of the army is already em-
ployed on the service, and is known to be
wholly inadequate to the pnotectionl which
should be afforded. The public. mind Of the
country has been recently shocked by savage
atrocities committed upon defeuceless emf
grants and border settlements, and hardly less
BY the unnecessary destruction of valuable
lives, where inadequate detachments Of troops
have undertaken to furnish the needed aid
Without increase of the military force, these
scenes will be repeated, it is to be feared, on a
larger scale, and with more disastrous conse-
quencess Congress, ] am sure, will perceive
that the plainest duties and responsibilities of
government are involved in this question, and
doubt not that prompt action may be conf
IDENTIFY anticipated when delay must be at
tended by such fearful hazards ls7;4T frr
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
facilitating enlistments, but an obvious i'm
proyeInent In the class of men who enter the
service regret that corresponding consider
alton was not bestowed on the officers, who, in
view of their character and the expenses to
which they are necessarily subjected, receive
at present what is, in my judgment, made
quate compensation. f-ssr --ai 3 II
These valuable services, constantly 'pdered
by the army, and its inestimable Importance,
as the nucleous around which the volunteer
forces Of the nation can promptly gather in the
hour of danger, sufficiently attest the wisdom
of maintaining a military peace establish
ment; but the theory of our system and the
wise practice under it, requires that any pro-
posed augmentation, in time Of peace, be only
commensurate with our extended limits and
frontier relations. While scrupnlously ad-
herring to this principle, find, in existing
circumstances, necessity for increase of our
military force, and it is believed that four new
regiments, two of infantry and two Of mounted
men, viii be sufficient to meet the present exi-
gency. If itwere necessary carefully to weigh
the cost in case of such urgency it would be
shown that the additional expense would be
comparatively light. &. .,-t D.. .e1.s M
With the increase of the numerical force Of
the army should, / think, be combined certain
measures of reform in its organic arrangement
and administration. The present organiza-
ton is the result of partial Legislation often
directed TO special objects and interests; and
the 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
H. 81 tha
and simplicity essential to the harmonious
working of its several parts, and require a
careful revision. ,..-.- n s~0-1tJ ~ i
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 command.
Were the duties of the army staff mainly dis
charged by officers detached from their regi-
ments, it is believed that the special service
would be equally well performed, and the dis
cipline and instruction of the army be i'm
proved. While due regard to the security of
the rights of officers, and TO the nice sense of
honor which should be cultivated among them,
would seem to exact compliance with the es
tablished rule of promotion in ordinary cases,
still it can hardly be doubted that the range of
promotion by selections, which is now practi-
cally confined to the grade of general officers,
might be somewhat extended with benefit to
the public service. Observance of the rule of
seniority sometimes leads, especially in times
of peace, to the promotion of officers who, after
meritorious and even distinguished service
may have been rendered by age or infirmity in
capable Of performing active duty, and whose
advancement, therefore, would tend TO impair
the efficiency of the army. Suitable pro.
visions for this class of officers, by the creation
Of retired list, would remedy the evil, with
out wounding the just pride of men who, by
past services, have established a just claim to
high consideration. rI he,sstfHg- ..5s
In again commencing this measure othe
favorable consideration of Congress, | would
suggest that the power of placing officers on
the retired list to be limited to one year. The
practical operation of the measure would thus
be tested and if, after the lapse Of 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 objection. The service of artillery
is that of batteries, and an organization of bat
teries into corps of artillery would be more
consistent with the nature of their duties. A
large part of the troops called artillery are,
and have been, on duty as infantry; the dis
tinction between the two arms is nominal -
The nominal artillery in our service is entirely
disproportionate to the whole force, and great
er than the wants of the country demand. I
therefore commend a diseontinuance Of dis
tinction which has no foundation in either the
arms used or the character Of the service ex-
pected to be performed.s,.s5T kra zlsac.1
In connection with the proposition for the
increase Of the army, l have presented these
suggestions with regard to certain measures of
REFORM as the encouragement of a system
which would produce the happiest results
from a given expenditure, and which / hope
may attract the early attentions, and be deemed
worthy of the approval of Congress. - "l1
The recommendation of the Secretary Of
the Navy, having reference to more ample pro-
visions for the discipline and general improve
ment in the character of seamen. and for the
re organization and gradual increase of the
Navy, / deem eminently worthy of your favor
able consideration f1'he principles, which
have controlled our policy in relation TO the
permanent military force, by sea and land are
sound. connected with the theory Of our sys-
tenn. and should by no means be disregarded.
But, limiting the force TO the objects particu-
flarly set forth in the preceding part Of this
message we should not overlook the present
magnitude and prospective extension Of our
commercial marine, nor fail to give due weight
to the fact that, besides the two thousand
limiles of Atlantic. seaboard, we have now a
Pacific coast, stretching from Mexico to the
british possessions IN the north, teeming with
wealth and enterprise; and demanding the con-
sta1t presence of ships-of.war The augmen-