Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-17


In making the selections of officers for the new
regiments, two courses only seemed to be open,
viz: To make the appointments from the regular
service, by seniority OF by selection. The first
appeared liable to the grave objection that old,
and in some instances inefficient men would be
promoted to places which ought to be filled with
younger and more vigorous officers. The second
was liable to the objection that favoritism might
prejudice the claims of worthy officers.
After the fullest consideration, it was deter
mined, under the advice Of the General in Chief,
to appoint onehalf of them from the regular
my, and the other half from civil life. OF the
civilians appointed as regmental commanders, all
except one are either graduates of West Point. or
have served with distinction in the field; and of
the Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, Captains, and
First Lieutenants, large proportion have been
taken from the regular army and the volunteers
now in service, while the Second Lieutenants
have been mainly. created by the promotion of
meretorious Sergeants from the regular service.
As the movements of the United States forces
are continued, the supervision of railroad and tel
egraph lines will remain a necessity, to be met by
the department. ! would therefore, recommend
the propriety of an appropriation, to be made by
Congress, to be applied, when the public exigen-
cies demand, to the reconstruction and equipment
of railroads, and for the expense of maintenance
and operating them, and also for the construction
of additional telegraph lines and their appurten-
ances. would also recommend special appro-
priation for the reconstruction of the Long Bridge
across the Potomac which is now military ne
cessity.
The importance of enforcing the strictest dsci-
pline where actiTe army operations carried on
in the rebellous States, can not be too strongly
urged. Public confidence is for the time being
destroyed, and the nice moral distinctions which
obtain among men in well-ordered communities
are apt to be lost sight of. The Federal Courts
being suspended, grave offences may be commit
ted. over which our military courts as now organ
lied, have no authorized jurisdiction. 1t would
seem only consistent with just regard for the
interests of the Government and the people that
some properly organized military tribunal should
be empowered to take cognizance of criminal of
fences, and to punish the offenders when found
guilty Such tribunal should not have any juris-
diction when the functions of the Federal courts
are uninterrupted. therefore recommend that the
subject be referred to the consideration of Con
gress.
| The subsistence of the troops now in the ser
vice is matter of the highest importance. Ra
tons, proper in quantity and quality, are quite as
essential to the efficiency of army valor OF
discipline. II is desirable, therefore, that the
quantity OF rations distributed to the troops
should as far as possible be adapted to their pre-
vious dietary habits. While it can not be ex
pected that the luxuries to which many have beer
accustomed should be provided by the Commis
sariat a Just regard to comfort and health i'm
poses upon the Government the duty of furnish
ing sound, healthful and palatable food. A larger
proportion of vegetables and of fresh meats, wher
they can be procured, than can now be furnished
under the army regulations, would undoubtedl,
diminish the danger of epidemcs among til,
troops |, therefore, submit the question whether
it would not be expedent for Congress to enlarg,
the powers of the Commissariat, so as to enabl,
it the better to carry n,o practice the views her,
Isuggested
As all requisitions for camp equipage, for th'
means of its transportation, and for supplies, arr
made upon the Quartermaster Generals Depart
ment, it is highly essential that every facilit,
should be afforded its chief for meeting all sucl
requisitions with promptness. At present, tn
power of that beaureau is limited. For instance
it seems very desirable that the troops i'm TIN