Daily national Republican., 1863-05-19

Gen. Banks has issued the following ORDER,
No. 40:
HEADQ'Rs DEPARTMENT or THE GtLF.
10TH ARMY CORPs, OPELOJ sAS, May l, 1865 \
G,uerdl orders No. dO.-ThC Major General
commanding the Department proposes the or
ganiZation of a corps d'armCe OF COlOred troops,
to be designated as the Corps d'AfriQue." 1t
will consist ultimately OF eighteen regiments,
representing all arms-intAntry, artillery, cav
alry-making nine brigades of two regiments
each, and three divisions of three brigades
each, with appropriate corps of engineers and
flying hospitals for each division. Appropriate
uniforms, and the graduation of pay to CORE
spond with the value Of services, will be here
after awarded.
In the field the efficiency Of every corps de-
pends upon the influence of its officers upon
the troops engaged, and the practical limits of
one direct command Is generally estimated at
1000 men. The most eminent military histO-
rans and commanders, among others Thicrs
and Chambray, express the opinion upon n full
review of the elements Of military power, that
the valOr of the soldier Is rather acquired than
natural. Nations whose individual LcrOism Is
undisputed, have failed as soldiers in the field.
The European and American continent exhibit
instances Of this character, and the military
proves of every nation may be estimated by
the centuries it has devoted to military contest,
or the traditional passion Of its people for mill
tary glory. With race unaCCustOmgd to mill
tary service, much more depends on the immc-
! diate influence Of officers upon Individual
members, than with those that have acquired
more or less of warlkc habits and spirit by
centuries Of contest. 1t is deemed best, there
fore, in the organization Of the Corps d'Afriquc,
to limit the regiment to the smallest number of
men consistent with efficient service in the field ,
in order to secure the most thorough instruC-
tiOn and discipline, and the largest influence of
the officers over the troops. At first they will
II Io Itr,f TOD
Of American regiments is less than that mum
ber
The Commanding General desires u detail
for temporary or permanent duty the best Ofli-
GERS Of the army for the organization, instruC-
tIOu and discipline Of this corps. With their
aid he j. confident that the corps will render
Important scTrlrc 70 the Government. II Is
not oetayisbhei upDn any dogma Of equality or
other theory, hut as practical and sensible
matter Df business. The Government make
use Of mule-, hOrsc-, uneduchtcd and educated
white men In the defence Of It's Institutions
Why should not the negro contribute whatever
Is In his power for the cause in which hc is a.
deeply Interested AS other men We may prop
Cry demand from him whatever service hC
can render. The chief defect in organizations
OF this character has arisen from incorrect
/ Ideas OF the officers In command. Their dis
! CipnC has been Ian aud in some cases the
/ conduct OF their regiments unsatisfactory aud
| dlsCredltablc. Controversies unnecessary aud
Injurious to the service have arisen between
them and other troops. The organization pro.
/ posed will reconcile and avoid many Of these
| troubles.
Officers aud soldiers will consider the Uxigen-
clCs Of the service in this Department. and the
absolute necessity Of aplroriating every uc-
mcnt OF power to the SUPPORT Of the Govern
mCnt The prejudiccs or opinions Of men are
in no wise involved. The cooperation and
active support Of all othcCrs and mUu, aud the
& nomination Of III men from the ranks, aud
from the liblB Of non-cOmmisbioned aud COM
mIssIoned officers are respectfully solicited
from the Generals commanding the respective
divisions. By command Of
Maj. Gen. BANKS.
RICHARD B, IKwIN, A. a. General.