The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-12

not been the case am told tina, several Of the members
apparently elected by the glarng frauds Of Wednesday
last had determined not to take their seats
iecting hcnor upon them than could be gained
by exercising power wol by fraud and scaled in blood
The Defence OF Our Seabonrd, and the
Condition OF Our Artillery.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
While engineer officers and others are acquanting the
public with the merits and dement's of the different sys
tens for fortyng seaport cities and principal har
bors and while the administration asks and Congress dis
cusscs and grants large annually for this purpose
all appear to lose sight of the important matter Of provid
ing competent force for the defence of works when
their usefulness be brought to the test That it may
become necessary to defend the cities by Of these
forts, which have been constructed at SO much cost
seems never TO to those most directly inte
rested and in the press, usually quick discover
point out whatever is necessary for the safety welfare
Of the people, we hardly line in aluson this
omission in our military administration The current of
neglect and total indifference has long against the
artillery corps service that those who are aware
Of its Importance almost despair Of making head
against the stream Yc, it is gratifying see that there
some, like the able correspondent in the HERALD OF
october &c. who competent and willing place before
the people facts and data sufficient for them Judge Of
the steps necessary to provide for the defence OF their
homes in case of invasion That we are not free from
this danger needs no new proof; and that should at
all times be prepared for it, 50 a- the spirit Of
situations on the subject OF standing army will permit,
will we think be very generally conceded. We very
apt in providing allay trhing but immediate
noyances TO lose sight of serious dangers in the distance
and neglect destroy the systematic preparation
sary TO meet them. That we may add few companies
to the force required for purs suing the thevng bands Of
Indians on our Western frontier. we are sacrificing
every chance Of reasonable defence of our
seaboard in of serious Would
it not be better for operations the frontier, to
provide force suitable to that services The sounness
xip taryu NY ti,,nn
the subject OF the most economical and cectal defence
OF our Indian frontier is believe very generally grant
ed The plan TO break up the small posts and concen-
trae the troops in large bodies and make regular an
nua campaigns by strong expeditions, against the hos
NE uioes 10 pursuance OF TINS pan We would suggest
II 1t 10 not thought best to increase the mounted force Of
the regular army, that six months mounted volunteers
might be employed for these campaigns with great effect
Bong received into the service with their horses early
in the spring. and discharged after the OF the expe
diton in the fall tho expense of wn'erng the horses and
would be saved and thus the measure prove one of
economy. 1t is thought that difficulty would be cxpe-
rienccd in raising such force Whenever wanted This
would SUPPLY for the frontier troops much suitable
Tor It's defence than detached companies Of artillery equip
ped and acting as infantry The advant es be derived
from such System mas be briefly summed up rs fol-
ows-First the artillery companies being thus replaced
the frontier might be afforded Of in ,rucon in
their own arm Of service and become artillery in fact as
well as in NAME and thus 10 lessen the danger SO
ably depicted by The article in the Herald OF tho Goth ult
where in abiding TO foreign war, it stated without
proper garrsoLs our forts which have been constructed
at vast expense and which have been taught 10 regard
as our strongest would in truth be weacs; points
curses rather than blessings for the hands of an
enemy who commanded the sea, would cost n fearful
expenditure of life, money and time retake them"
Second far better protection would be afforded the
tier Small posts here there are disreeared by the
Indians they have learned that these particularly il
composed OF foot troops cannot inict speedy
punishment But tho case would be different ii largo
Dodes oil mounted troops moved annually Or re-
quired) and made the punishment of offending tribes
as certain as their offences. Third, the presence
which might then be commanded, Of regular troops
would ehccuay prevent such have lately been
witnessed at Harpers Ferry and which though In mi
nor oegree nave actually taken place at or threatened
panes OF artillery, surely have enlisted men enough
o. TINS KIND to protect our two armories and instead Of
increasing any part of the regular force for special
purpose, as has been suggested, it would seem quite
proper that duty at the armories should in connection
with their regular of professional instruction Ii
the iorts pc performed 10 rotation by the different compa
MES of artillery. '
There is no doubt that in answering constantly tho do
rands made upon our little army, from the West we are
grossly neglectng that instruction which viii most re-
quirc when called upon to face enemy from the East
An officer Of high rank in the Enguneer corps one OF
the abest military men in the country las lately stated
in an official report that there could not be fond in the
whee territory of the United States army included one
instructed artillery for each gum IN case Il became
necessary to furnish forts with The required
for their defence We do rot hesitate to the
ment moro comprehensive, and cay that in the limits
named there could not be found for each gun one man
who had ever shot fired from heavy gnn or OK
cuding the Fourth July extravagtnce OF national sa
Lutte powder burned in them This fact alone
would seem TO be enough to excite the interest d aeu
ton Of all who have any responsibility IN the matter Of
tach any weight TO the maxim Of preparing FOR war i'll
time of peace. The senior member of the Military Com
mission sent over by our government TO Europe durng
the Crimean war, Major Deaied, whose prolrs-
sonal standing and superior abilities too VOL
known to require auy comment here, mas stated il hi
official report his views upon this point in tie following
forcble manner In noticing this branch III service as
Taught in Europe; in connection with siege, coast
hontzer and mortar prcce, and the construction OF the
various descriptions of batteries aeVolvag on The ar.
ery and aware &c the want OF opportunity for orr Office IS
to gain such practice in their Of service cannot too
NJ thu
this lingering and neglected branch Of our e'ay REQUIRES
some powerful effort to he made to prcssye the .ltt
knowledge Of the KIND given 10 the cadet. and cHabl the
jealous and active members Of this bring IL to that
stat" oil The art aud science known ia other aries In no
European army Is The artillery without head 10 govern
u, ana prhg uto noice improvements clen for ~
dern applications x science binus be INDUCED with tho
expression Of my belief, that the Of chiefof arll
ier IS ono OF the great causes Of our s no sell
dom or never attaining greater efficiency taa Other corps
in their speciality. cannot be doubted that chief Of
artillery quite essential and necessary as chief or
engineers, chief of ordnance chief OF tho staff We have
seen and experienced the advantages of giving to the con
eructing branch artillery chief tho result Of which
mas been to establish high degree of method system and
order the fruits Of which have already been experienced
lenertan the hope tia; some energetic, scientific ar,l
leTy officer will long, ho called Washington 70 con-
troll anu bring into activity the talent and skill now dor
mant in this long neglected branch Of onr scrvIcen
The events Of all late European aof ample proof
OF the gro wing Importance of the artillery arm anu haye
crented throughout Europe efforts for its IMPROVEMENT
such as have never before been known. The results to
the present time, though not known b tho fullest e
tail leave no room 10 doubt that under fostering care
ofgovernmcns which have learned by severe experience
TO appreciate its importance, the artillery there il az.
proacng N theory aud practice Of perfection which
we can eqIa only - keeping the corps in our service
which bears that name, constantly aud indnsrously at
the Study and in The practice OF the duties which ncrtan
70 That important branch Of the military profession The
necessity OF keeping our artillery at its legitimate duties
becomes more apparent when bear in mind the fact
that knowledge ui this branch is beyond the reach OF
the citizen soidery. The expenses aud other difficulties
in maintaining are great that the volunteer service
even OF the ghtes field gun, seldom witnessed even in
the most popuous, wealthy and military districts Of the
country The proficiency attained by many OF infant
~ ana cavalry volunteer corps is such make thm
nj al moments notice to take the field with the weapons
to which they accustomed and do good service and
knowledge OF everything in the military profession wh,h
comes within the power and means OF The militia or yo
throughout the country But for The advancement Of ia
artillery the support and patronage OF the government il
necessary. When the time comes for its use as come il
must all that the nation expect from this element in
The science OF war must spring from the nucleus then
rnlv In