The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-21

that published last year was / am informed the result
seems, quite at variance with the fact From these sps
cal regimeptal returns has like wise been digested
table OF oronaDce arms and other military stores be-
longing to the State aud in the possession OF the troops
By this table appears that there 10 the hands Of
the troops of ordnance and accoutremens ss fol
Cannon. calbre nine Founders. 4
Do calbre six Founders Observation-Disclosures. 3S
How,zers, caibre twenty four poundets. Is
Do calibre OF twelve Founders. .........
Mountain howitzeEs. ........,...........
Pistols OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES I63
Sh,es ord .crd Sss
The artillery is returned to be in an excellent condition
while the muskets for the most part reported to be
utterly worthless Indeed, these special returns have
been constantly matter OF reference in the daily dis
charge OF the duties of the Office that loss To
dertand how the department could have been sasaco
ry managed without the info' nation which they contain.
The subject which next claimed the attention OF the de-
partnent after putting in train the means by which the
Necessary departmental information was TO be obtained
having reference to the military Communication.
Complaints Of the utter and wfu negligence OF the
Assessors in making out the enfolments of those liable to
military duty IL their respective towns or wards,
enforcing the collection OF the communication when II
had been assessed having reached the department, the
idea entertained that perhaps the various supervi
and collectors throughout the state
properly apprsed of their duties this regard aud OF the
penalties attaching for their neglect the cause OF these
complaints would IN great measure cease and the com
mutation fund necessarily be augmented With this view
instructions section OF article nrst
part third OF the mts law prepared and printed in
pamphlet form aud several thousands of them accompa
MED by general order 10 regiGental cormandans
transmitted to each Of such commandaos for distribution
the various cy officers concerned in the collection Of
the fund OF respective districts Though
this effort may not have been as successful was de
sired hardly be said have utterly failed of
cempl hing some improvement for the reports OF the
boards Of supervisors show n the aggregate increase
the enrolment Of the past yet not OF marked
character lead TO tie bope that the military portion
of the tax to be returned next nth will much exceed
the limit il has heretofore reached; result indicating
OF things be confessed discouragiIg and
hopeless OF relief unc er the present law.
The quota Of arms due the State from the general go
for the year 1856 having been for Warded in
muskes altered from flint 10 purcusson instead OF the
original percussion muskes desired not accepted
by the authorities OF the State consequently for the past
year there two quotas due The for 1856 after
dtducng balance due the general government for the
expense Of the alteration OF muskets 10 1885, amounted
in muskets TO equal to s2o3q That OF 1857 after
decucpg for transportation OF the returned quota,
amounted in muskes To 5ss equal 10 money to s2o,75
both quotas to 3l6i muskes, being equal In money 10
Sal ,094 AZ less Objectionable 10 1857 than In
1856 TO receive from the general government the quota in
altered muskets urgent demand again addressed
to the Ordnance Department Washington for the original
percussion but without success. However, after
somewhat lengthy correspondence, was conceded on
the part Of the authorities to be profitable
to furnish tie state with two thirds OF s quota Tor OF
the years Ia cadet muskets; ana also TO furnish tue
long range rife, with sword bsyonet (conuoaly
called the Minnie riile,. and the long ranged
rife musket, with the May nard primer attachment With
regard &C. the quota for the wear 1883 II perhaps proper
to say in this connection that since the long rife
musket has completely suppanted the mukot proper
in the hands Of the United States troops Department
has once more warmly urged upon the general govern
uent the propreiy q supplying for the future tae og
bal percussion which. unoer the Recommendation OF
the Colonel OF Ordnance, Col Il. X, Craig, Il has finally
consented to 10, and further to aaapt this wespon
by back sighting and riding TO the eye OF the Mnno car
fridge
The State has stored in s various arsenas and the
be nds OF is troops, lar number OF exceedingly worth
lees weapons considerable proportion Of which nave
pfrentlv come down from OF 1919. II deem
them, together with the damaged ammunition Oh hand,
and out OF the proceeds Of such sales TO Improve he best
Of the remain arms to purchase under yOdr drec
ltn cibers u recent construction. The Commits
sary General therefore received during the early part Of
the the proper instructions from your EXcecuty,
snd will doubtless report to you his action IN the pro
mises
While the bulk OF the small arm, belonging 10 the state
are thus worthless, IL nevertheless considerable
qrany OF serviceble muskets of quite recent patterns
altered from nnt to percussion, and % large quantity
which have been rendered unservic able simply by the
careless manner In which they have been altered II WAS
suggested by Captain j. A Ward, ingenious officer OF
the United States army, that by applying seat 10
the Size of the barrel aod removing tie from the
top of the barrel and tapping into the scat. by
adapting the weapon the OF the Minnie cartridge and
by attaching his magazine hammer TO the lock, aud
clasp TO the bsyonet these muske might be rendered,
expense OF four dollars each. as sefyicesbe the
most improved arm OF recent yentop Ths magazine
hammer Is method OF applying the primug 70 Tue arm
ia different from that suggested by Maynard,
the inventor Of the process.
OF the sum Of thirteen thousand dollars we'd from
the general government in settlement, OF advances for
military stores, aud appropriated by the Legislature FOR
the purchase under Fxcellency direction Of
and ammunition tbs has been expended % brass
srare drums, 49, maple drums 81 bass drums.
bugcs, 20 regmentsl coors 30 guide ccims-s2ts2 90;
20 improved cODcal teuts Sbley patent 600 extra
ammunition, ~ $50 s0-1sking total OF 50 oi3 So aud
leaving ubexpended balance OF s3,D2s o. With the
view Of procuring snare drums Of thc mos, servcesbc
char acter thought advisable TO order sLch might
be NEEDED TO be made with brass sheds ser the style o.
The frsnch army drum. OF this description p were
comparison with the French drum IN sodity aud
nance. their further manufacture tiscontnued aud
maple shell drums ordered in their stead II is enibeuy
desirable, On the ground Of military convenience ORDER
snd system that the rooTs In " the larger cites or
me state be provided at the expense o. the state, with
two snare drums and trumpet fer alteration, per
company, TO be kept like other state property wher not
in use, habhuslly in the company smcry, snd
under the supervision Of ~ comusrdilg officer. Also
tbst N each of such companies three boys be enlisted
With all the figUt privileges al duties OF 10 regular
ncrnhsrs 10 be initiated in the use CT these nstruert
who in addition TO accompanying their respective conpl
nes 10 and from tie rcs mental parsde when they are
sembed, az The Geld music Of tho regiment wi also bere
CURED 10 marx the step o. all The mpany drills an gene
rally be expected 10 take much in tho company
~ s members. II may be urged that tbs stem
osnno, we lhs'teu "nn"., .ohs"eisoe seuu"1ei ,aA
upon the company funfs but cf;ut 70 believe That
10 the large cities there cannot be- found sufficient
number OF respectable ard patriotic boys, who from no
other consideration than that % ultimate and peasurIbe
asset alton with the coninaI Il. would feel lust pride N
marching dfummers the heads )f regiments which
secured themselves an extended aud re
puta,ion. The band Of regiment paftases Of tho nature
OF az xcrescence while the ed music essentially part
OF IT. existence II W indeed rd pensabe TO the proper
Danuuyre Of regiment that the field musicians be
thoroughly instructed, not only In the various military
signals and calls, and IN the proper bes's ard
which mark the but also - g. their vsous positions
in paraces Of ceremony 10 COLUMNS Of msnmuvfe aad
rovt. Wal the view 81 eiieuiug the ooangcs here coz
ttmpsted, French army snsre drum cgethcr wh The
steks flag and apron also trumpet and he Frcnct
military music which does not comprise srs or tunes
but SIMPLY beats ana sounds 20 mark the pace have beep
from France to serve a. models Tor their supp
All a il hat N
The city a. New York viii be- properly equipped
and instructed corps Of field musicians.
The report here includ the number Of arms and equip
nspts ordered 10 bs Sgued, and the number scsaslis