The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-30
Army Organization,

without pretending to any further know
ledge of the subject than we have picked up
for the occasion, we will venture to set down
a few words Of explanation that may tend to
elucida,e the tumble and jargon of military
terms of which all conversation is now full,
An army organized on military principles is
a most perfect and beautiful piece OF mechan-
ism. The army organization of the United
States, which Is chiefly due to the genius OF
Mr.. OAIHocS, is probably as perfect as any In
the world. With this III our guide, we shall
sketch the leading outlines of the admirable
machinery of a we'll constituted army.
There Is first the Line. composed of the Lost
of men and officers intended for actual ser
vice. 1t 10 divided, of course, into artillery,
cavalry, infantry and so forth, with their re-
spectivs arms and 10 organized into Divi-
sions, Brigadss, Regiments, Battaiions, Com
panies, etcetera. At the head Of the Line is
the General in Chief; who, of course, is next
In rank TO the President who is Commander
In Chief, and TO the Secretary of War, the Sc
cond- self, voice and mouth piece Of the Pres
ident as to all matters appertaining to the
military service.
Besides the Line, there is the Staff. com
posed Of several distinct corps, charged with
several functions, all auxiliary TO the Line
The Staff consists of the Adju liant General
and his corps, the Quartermaster's Depart
ment the Commissariat land the several corps
of Ordnance officers, of Engineers, and OF Sur
geons.
Through the Adjutant General and his corps
of officers all orders of the President and En-
ecutiye are transmitted 10 the Line; and also
all orders from the General in Chief, and off1-
GERS of superior TO those OF inferior rank. In
the office of the Adju tant General are filed and
registered all records relating TO the PERSONAL
of the army, and through that office is admin
istered all business and judicial functions
touching the personnel of the service. The Adj
iutant- General of the United States usually
held, We believe, the commission OF Colonel
The Quartermaster's Department provides
Transportation for the army, and all animals
and vehicles requisite for that branch of the
service 1t provides, also, clothing, quarters,
tents, blankets, cooking utensils, and the like
necesearies for the troops, and horses for the
Cavalry, Artillery and Staff. The head Of
this Department of the Federal service usu-
ally held the commission of Brigadier-Gen-
eral.
The Commissaries furnish food in all its
forms for the army. The head of this Bu-
reau at Washington is usually Colonel.
lne bcphl h"o 80 "a
the whole subject of arms and ammunition.
The Engineer Corps of the United States Is
divided into Typographical Engineers and En-
gineers, each in charge of an appropriate Blu
reau at the seat of Government. The Engi-
neers have charge of the whole subject of
Topography and Notifications; of the con-
struction of permanent forts, of surveying
and mapping the country, selecting sites for
camps, throwing up earthworks, reconnoi-
terinS the face of the country with reference
10 movements of the army or the enemy, and
the like duties. This service generally en-
braces the most accomplished and scientific
officers belonging to the service.
The Corps of Surgeons, Of course, have in
charge the whole subject of health and sur
gerry.
The War Department is a grand office gem
eral located at the seat of Government ut
which all the heads of these different Bureaus
Of the Staff are In constant attendance, and
in immediate conference with the Secretary
of War;-receiving reports from their subordi-
nate officers all over the country, and issuing
orders approved by the Secretary. The Sec
Rotary of War is the adviser and right hand OF
the President in all matters touching the mill
tary service, acting for him and in his name
ana Bt6dO. ne ISSUES OTUtTb lot the lAiut cituci
to the General-n- Chief or directly to officers OF
lower grade, at his option. His orders to the
Line are issued through the Adju'ant. General
those to the other departments of the Staff are
Issued through the heads of the respective
Bureaus.
From this general outline of the organiza
ton Of the army Of the United States, 1t viii
be seen that the system is a most perfect ane
complete piece of machinery, such as canno
fail to prove, If administered by able men
very effective in operation. or all depart
ments Of the Federal Government al Wash
ington, we suppose that Of War is far thu
most perfect in its organization and Mr.. CAL
Houx achieved q distinction in devising it
during the early period of his public career
commensurate with the great ability he dis
played in the subsequent years Of his con
spicuous public life.