Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-07-18

carried on in the rebellous States, cannot
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 not apt TO
be lost sight Of The Federal courts being
suspended, grave ofenses may be committed
over which our military courts, as now or
ganized, have no authorized jurisdiction. =
1t would seem only consistent with Just
regard to the interests of the government
and the people, that some properly organi-
zed military tribunal shotld be empowered
to take cognizance Of criminal offenses and
to punish the offenders when found guilty
Such tribunal should not have any juris-
dlction when the functions of the Federal
Courts are uninterrupted. | therefore re-
commend that the subject be referred to the
| consideration of Congress
The subsistence of the troops now in the
service isamatter.of the highest importance.
Rations, proper in quantity and quality, are
quite as essential to the efficacy of an army
as valor or discipline. Itis desirable, there
fore. that the quantity Of rations distributed
to the troops should, as far as possible. be
adapted to their previous dietary habits
While it cannot be expected that the luxu-
ries to which many have been accustomed
should be provided by the Commissariat, a
just regard to comfort and health imposes
upon the Government the duty of furnishing
sound, healthful and palatable food. A larger
proportion Of vegetables and Of fresh meats
when they can be procured, then can now be
furnished under the army regulations, would
undoubtedly diminish the danger Of epidem-
les among the troops. Therefore, submit the
question, whether it would not be expedient
for Congress to enlarge the powers of the
| Commissariat, SO as to enable it the better
to carry into practice the views here sugges-
ted.
As all acquisitions for camp equipage, for
the means of its transportion, and for sup
plies, are made upon the Quartermaster
Generals department, it is highly essential
that every facility should be afforded its
chief for meeting all such acquisitions with
promptness. AT present the power of that
bureau is limited For instance, it seems
very desirable that the troops in field should
be supplied with water proof capes and
blankets, to serve as protection against
the effects ofthe climate As the army reg
ulations do not recognize such an article of
clothing, and as no discretion has been lodg-
ed with the department to act in the mat
ter, many Of the troops, for the lack of this
essential outfit, have suffered much incon-
venience. Some of the States of New Eng
land have sent their quotas forward equipped
most admirably in this respect. would
recommend that this subject be commended
to Congress for its favorable consideration.
The sudden large increase of the army in
May last, induced the acting Surgeon Gener-
al to call the attention of this department
to the necessity Of some modification of the
system of organization connected with the
supervisor Of the hygeine and comfort of
the troops. A commission of inquiry and
advice was accordingly instituted. with the
object of acting in cooperation with the
medical bureau. The following gentlemen
have consented to serve, without compensa-
ton, upon this commission: Henry w. Bel
lows, ID. D.; Prof A. ID. Bache, LII ID.
Prof Jeffries Wyman; Prof. Halcott Gibbs,
NJ. D.; w. III. Van Buren, NJ d.; Samuel
G. Howe, M. p; r. G; Wood, Surgeon
u. S. Army, George w. Cullum, U. S.
Army, and Alex. L. Shiras, y. s. Army.
They are now directing special inquiries in
regard to the careful inspection Of recruits
: and enlisted men, the best means of guarding
and restoring their health, and of SECURING
the general comfort and efficiency of the
troops, the proper provision of hospitals
nurses, cook, &C. The high character anC
; well known attainments ofthese distinguish
: ed gentlemen afford every assurance tha
, they will bring to bear upon the subjects of
their investigation the ripest teachings O
9 sanitary science in its application to the de-
D tails of military life.
The organization of military hospitals, anC
: the method of obtaining and regulatin!
whatever appertains TO the cure, relief, o
care of the disabled and also the regulation
g and routine through which the services o
q patriotic women are rendered available a
nurses, was at an early period of the pres
: ent struggle entrusted to the charge Of Mis-
ID. L. Dix, who volunteered her services
t and is now, without remuneration, devotins
: her whole time to this important subject.
e The arms and ordnance supplied from ou
], national armOries, under the able superin
G tendence of the Ordnance Bureau, compar
e most favorably with the very best manufac
= tured for foreign Governments. The cele
It brated Enfield rifle, so called, is simpl
copy of the regular arm manufactured TO
\ many years at the Springfield armory.
y Previous to the early part Of last year tn
S Government had a supply Of arms and mu
% nitions Of war sufficient for any emergency
% but through the bad faith ofthose entruste
% with their guardianship they were taken fror
N their proper repositories and distribute
through portions Of the country expected t
10 take part in the contemplated rebellion. L
IS consequence of loss thus sustained there wa
# available, at the commencement OF the out
n break, much less supply than usual of a
], kinds. But through the zeal and activit
/ of the Ordnance Bureau, the embarrassment
o thus created have been in a great measui
l. overcome. As the capacity of the Govern
> ment armories was not equal to the suppl
~ - III 90 hax aa fha fnrr