New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04

ra.svs dnerations against any power thst may III
Sermeddle with our domestic AFFAIR.": O1in.,il'.o
should be appointed by Congress VIII ,ia;3 f
OH ourlns in "rouSsion of the Militia Of the United
States. .h.. ;,,,,oa;oto attention
shonId ha Given to the condition OF our fortlhcaohs
hpon the seaboard and the lakes, ana upon our eA-
,p6sea frontisrs. They should at once be placed III
svact condition for successful defense Aggresslons
- sSIdom made upon nation ever ready TO defend
r. honor and 70 repel insults; and we should show
20 the world that while engaged in quene disturb
snoes at home we are able to protect ourselves
against attacks from abroad.
/ earnestly recommend that immediate provision
be made for increasing the corps OF Cadets 10 tne
greatest capacity of the Military Academy. 1here
are now only l92 cadets at that important institution
am assured by the Superintendent that 4OO can a.
present be accommodated, and that, with very VA,
fling additional expense this number may DC 81
90 5O0 Ii is not necessary, at this late gay
Of the value Of educated soldiers Wbie, ~ .inU o
war or rebellion, we must ever depend Ieiy ap rd
tboronabIv .trs;oed officers. Two classes having
been graduated during the present - LII
tina, the service might have the Dehen' Vi 'iei
tary education had hoped that ooheiess; az no va
a. ysso;or would authorize an increase OF the num-
r. Uoy,oo failed TO do so, trust that at the APP
$500, ssSsson an increase will be authorized, and
RI Az letion OF cadets will be limited exclusive
t. ~ those States which, cooperating cordially with
%,aG oy
Ssid 70 aid in the maintenance of its authority.
In this connection Justice requires that l should
call attention 10 the claims Of a veteran officer, to
whom more than to any other, the Military Acade-
nv is indebted for It's present prosperous AID efficient
condition. 1 aude to Col. Sylvanus Thayer Of the
Engineer Corps, who now, by reason OF advanced
years and faithful public services, Is ncapactated
for duty in the field. Under the recent law of Con-
gess he may justly claim to be retired from active
service; but; believing that bis distinguished services
sho caiV of KIN XlpdC frOm
the Government, / recommend that authority be
asked TO retire him upon his full pay and emouments
The health Of an army Is consideration Of the
highest consequence. Good men and women III oil
ferent States impeed by the highest motives of be-
nevolence and patriotism, have come in aid of the
constituted sanitary arrangements OF the Govern
ment and been greatly Instrumental III diminishing
disease in the camps giving increased comfort and
happiness to the life OF the SOLDIER and npartlng to
our hospital service more humane and generous
character Salubrity OF situation and pessantness
of surroundings have dictated the choice of the hos
pital sites and establishments for cur sick and
wounded, of which we have every reason to be
proud, have been opened in st. Louis Washington,
GEORGETOWN, Baltimore, and Annapolis, and will be
attached 10 every division of the army in the field.
To the close Of the war, vigilant shall be given
TO the health Of the well soldier, and 10 the comfort
and recovery Of the sick.
recommend that the system of promotions which
prevails in the regular service be applied TO the
Volunteer forces in the respective Statesi restricting
however, the promotions TO men actually In the
field AT present each Governor selects and appoints
the officers for the troops furnished by his State, and
complaint is not unfrequently made that when va
candies occur in the field Of Inferior quahica-
lions are placed in command hose in the ranks
who are their superOrs in military experience and
capacity. The advancement of merit should be the
reading principle in all promotions, and the voiun
teer soldier should be given TO understand that pre-
ferrnent VIII be the reward OF intelligence,
fidelity, and distinguished service.
L.. IA hos haar cd
by this Department, and it is my intention, so tar
as is in my power, TO continue system which can
not fail TO have most beneficial effect upon the en-
tire service.
By existing laws and regulations an officer of the
regular army ranks officer OF volunteers OF the
same grade, Notwithstanding the commission OF the
latter NAV be Of antecedent date. In my judgment,
this practice has tendency to repress the ardor and
to limit the opportunity Tor distinction OF volunteer
officers, and change should be made by which Sc
niority of commission should confer the right OF
command.
submit for reflection the question, whether the
distinction between Regulars and Volunteers which
now exists, should be permitted to continue. The
efficiency Of the army, it appears to me, might be
greatly increased by consolidation of the two dur
Ing the continuance of the war, which, combining
both orces, would constitute them one grand army
OF the Union.
Recruiting for the Regular army has not been at
tended with that success which anticipated, al
though large number Of men have entered this
branch OF the service. Willie it is admitted that sol
ders in the Regular army, under the control of Off
GERS Of military education and experience, gener-
ally better cared for than those In the Volunteer
service, 1t lie certain that the popular preference
is largely given to the latter. Young men evil
deRtly prefer TO enter corps ofhceTed by their
friends and acquaintance, and, beside the bounty
granted TO Volunteers in most of the States, in
ducements are often directly offered to them by
those whose commissions depend upon their sue
cess in obtaining recruits. In addition, the Vol
unteer ls allowed to draw bis full pay Of Sl3 per
month, while by law 81 per month are deducted
from the pay of the Regular to be returned to him
at the end Of his term of service. In my judgment
this law should be repealed and the Regular soldier
be allowed TO receive his full pay when due. He should
also receive either reasonable bounty upon enlist
ing or an advance Of so Of the 500 which law Of
the last session of Congress grants to regulars aud
volunteers the expiration Of their periods Of
vice. This would doubtless stimulate enllstments,
as il would enable the soldier to make some provs-
ion for those dependent upon him for support until
be receives bis pay.
BY the act approved August 5, 1861, the President
Is authorized TO appoint as many aids TO Major Gen
erals OF the regular army. acting in the field as he
may deem proper. The number OF aids, in NY opin-
ion should be limited, and no more should be al.
lowed to each Major General than can be advan-
tageously employed upon his own proper staff. Much
expense would thus be saved and the Executive and
this Department would be relieved Of applications
very embarrassing from their nature and extent.
Tire fifth section Of the act approved September
IS, 1851 makes the discharge OF minors obligatory
upon this Department, upon proof that their enlist
meni was without the consent Of their parents or
guardians In view of the injurious operation of this
law, and of the facilities which it opens to frauds,
respectfully urge early repeal Applications for
discharges of minors then be determined either
by this Department in accordance with such Iegula
lions experience may have shown to be necessary
or by the civil tribunals OF the country.
The employment Of regimental bands should be
limited the proportion Of musicians now allowed by
Law beng too great and their usefulness not at all
commensurate with their heavy expense.