The New York herald., 1862-10-19

sen, Davis ON rae on t,etent Army o6iCsrs.
t. rus swqsm AMP HOUSE % fEffhsENisIifH of Ess
CooFrEpArs sT4Trs:--
Te rear anpreyoh eg the day fixed for your aojourn
ent aduces to renew certain reconnsendators mace
tho Of lbe session and for which cGis
asC has not vel prol Sed The schct Of the efficiency
the army Oi paramount lplrcf ance and the ei-
ecsd by oorrespcGcence with the generals Of our
nmes the aeld whose practical experience OF the
evils resulting ron TIE defects IN cur present system en-
Sties their opin0n 10 great weight.
Az army without discipline ard instruction cannot DC
rees FOR purposes Of defence si less fer operations
III az enenys conntry ~ s ~ VAIN e. add non anu M
uuess 2t the same time give TO the aggfe
saied the character and capacity of soldiers IRE
discipline ind instruction required Tor its efficiency can
be imgarted without competent officers. NO power
~ law Tor securing sueh officers to III Nacan
hen elections and promotions tail 70 accomplish the
effect,
Extreme ought nc, To furnish rols, yet some
proyiso should he made evils exceptional
ia matter So vitay affecting Tie safety troops
fender consideration for worthless and incompetent Off
cers s be, another name for cruelty towards the haye
who fa sacrifices 20 these defects OF tne,T leaders
IL not aceit 20 dev se proper mode 81 obvatns his
eyn The law authorizes the refusal TO promote officers
who found incompetent to f vacancies and tue pro
motion of leir juniors their stead but instances occur
IN which ne officer remaining r regiment rs it 20 be
promoted 90 the grade Ct colonel and DO oeer remaining
in company is competent 20 command i Is captain.
Legislation providing for he selection in suc Of
Seien. officers from other regiments OF the sane state,
srords ready remedy FOR the evil wen for the
where officers elected are found unit for ;bs poe' os 20
which they may be chosen Eff selection nc made
such manner as may seem to Congress most advisable
hui ths or some ohor remedy ndsren sable os hGIs
nNmofbiE vacancies row existing.
While thus deficiency OF competent cifscfs eslsts
IN ecme cases, there IS large cxcoss IN others.
Eumeoa- regiments and companies have be.n reduced
by The casualties ~ by sickness and otner
10 be comparatively useless under the Di
xAtwn. TDcre companies IN the army ahioll the
Lobor II officers cSceeos that o be risa.es pre- ios
duty. and regiments 10 wbeh INC Dunbcr u sgeh rr
vasos Goes not exceed that which ,s require fer single
elective pspy.
The eos, Of supporting the army already very heavy
harthe0 on the resources OF the country tn4s Increased
&c extrarassrt extoHt But this n 81 secondsvy I'M
psrt&ncc compared with The ipe:itency veh results
from nis eonditsou ef things. Same .es siaon which
eha provide for he consolidation II companies and resi
meals when sh4s reduced n numbers, aud whep
scripts cannot he obtained from State u sifcicpt
eers for ang the rnnks, Of pressing necessity. aud
deor sense OF duty apcs me o repeat that ~ sdea
tion for the officers who may he unfortunately deprived
cf commands ought safely be permitted cbsract
tbe sautary feform
may be proeef q remark tbat the necessity ion ID bs
consolidation sad the consequent asebargng tried and
nsritcricus officers, VIII obviously be Increased by
legislative action permitting organizations 70 he
formed of men who by fhe provis'one Of EoUsC
law directed 20 be Incorporated INTO existing coa.
and regiments JEFFERSON DAVIS.
LssccyHp otacs, soerscrn. Oct 6. 1902