The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-15

Not only has the numerical strengf ofhe army been
seriously impaired By the frequent assertions
substitutes have become but dissatisfaction
has been excited among those who have been unable
or unwilling to avail themselves of the opportunity
thus afforded of avoiding the military service of their
country.
fully concur in the opinion expressed BY the Sec
rectary that there is ground the objection
new provision, to include those who furnished sab
stitutes under the former call, would be breach of
contract: Toaccept substitute confer privi-
lege, not to enter into contract and whenever the
substitute is rendered Liable CONSUMPTION would
seem to follow that the principal whose place had
taken, should respond for him. as the government had
received no consideration for his exemption Where,
however, the new provision of law would fail
brace substitute in tie ranks there appears if
the principal should again be conscribed equi
table ground for to the conscript who
then would have added to the service soldier not
otherwise liable to enrolment
On the subject of exemptions it is believed that
abuses cannot be checked unless the is placed
on basis entirely different from that now provided
by law The object of your Legislation has been,
to confer privileges classes but exonerate from
military duty such number of persons skilled in the
various trades professions and mechanical pursuits
as could render more valuable services TO their
ny Sy aborlng IN their present occupation than by
ing into the ranks Of the army The policy uneues
tonable, but the result would it is thought be better
obtained by enrolling all such persons, and allowing
deaso be made of the number necessary to meet the
wants Of the country. Considerable numbers are be-
ieved to be now exempted from the military service
who are not ncedfnl TO the public in their civil
ton. - -.-
Certain duties are now performed throughout the
country by details from the army which could be
well executed BY persons above the preseat conscrp
age An extension of the limit, to embrace per-
sons over forty five years and physically fit for service
i'll guarding posts, railroads and bridges, in appehend
ing deserters and, where practicable, assuming the
place of younger detailed for duty with the nre
ordnance, commssary and quarermasters' bureaux of
the War Department, would, it is hoped, add largely
10 the effective force in the field, without undue
buftkeR on the population. .,.- .: ....--.. -
If TO the above be added law ENLARGE
the policy of the act of the 2st April, 1852, so as
enable the Department to replace not only enlisted
cooks but wagoners and other employees in the army
by negroes it is hope that the ranks Of the army will
be SO strengthened for the ensuing campaign, to
put at defiance the utmost efforts of the enemy. . :
In order to maintain, unimpaired the existing
ganZation Of the army until the close of the your
legislation contemplated frequent supply of recruits
and it expected that before the expiration of the
three years for which the enrolled under act
of 10th April, 1862, the majority of in each
pany would consist of those who joined it different
dates subsequent to the original muster of the compa-
ny into service and that the discharge of those who
had completed their term would at no time be sufi-
Gent to leave the company with less number than is
required to enable it retain its organization. The
difficulty of obtaining recruits from cettain localities
and the large number of exemptions from military
vice granted by different laws, have prevented su6
cient acceSsionS in many o the companies preserve
their organizations after the discharge of the original
members. The advantage of retaining tried and we'll
approved officers and of mingng recruits with expert
enced soldiers obvious, and the policy of such
cessary point the evil consequences which would
result from the destruction of the old organic aons OR
dwell upon the benefits to be secured from filing
the veteran companies long before the discharge of
the early members d may be possible In the
where it may be found npractcabe to maintain regi
mcnts in sufficient strength to justify the retention Of
the present organization, economy and efficiency would
be promoted by consolidation and re-organzation.-
This would involve the necessity of dsbanding part
of the officers and making regulations for securing the
most iudicious selection of those who arc retained
lie fho yhn
charged.
Experience has shown the necessity for further leg
slaon in relation to the horses of the cavalry. Many
men lose their horses by casualties ofservice, which
not included in the provisions made to compensate
the for the loss and it thus not unfrequent
y happen that the efficient troopers without auit
OF their own, indeed, it may be because of their zeal
and activity are lost to the cavalry service.
1t would also appear proper that the Government
should have complete control over every horse master
ed into the service with the limitation that the own
should rot be deprived of his horse except upon due
compensation being made therefor Otherwise, mount
ed may keep horses fit for the services and the
question whether they should mounted foot
would depend not upon the qualifications Of the men,
but upon the fact of their having horses.
Some provision is deemed requisite to correct the
evils arising from the long continued absence of COM
Observation-Disclosures Where it is without sufficient cause
it would but just that the commission should be
thereby vacated.
Where II results from capture by the enemy, which,
under their babarous refusal to exchange prisoners of
war, be regaredas absence for indefinite time,
there is necessity to supply their places IN their res
lrctIe commands This might be done by temporary
appointments to endure only until the return of the Of
hccrs regularly commissioned Where it results from
permanent disability incurred in the line of their duty,
~ ould be proper retire them and fill the vacancies
accol ding to established mode. J would also suggest
the organization of invalid corps, and that the
tired officers be transferred it. Such corps, it is
thought, could be made useful in various empoymens
&or which efficient officers and troops detached.
An organization of the general staff OF the army,
would be highly conducive to the efficiency of that
most important branch Of the service The plan adopt
ed for the military establishment; furnishes model for
the staff of the provisional if it be deemed adyis
able to retain the distinction, but recommend to your
consideration the proprett of abolishing it, aud pro-
vdng for the organization of the several staff corps in
such number and with such rank will meet al the
of the service To the requisite ability
for the more important positions, it will be necessary
to provide for officers of higher rank than is
thorizel for these corps. To give to the officers the
proper relation AND in their respective
and to in the chief OF each useful in
uence and control his subordinate there should
be graduation the basis of the rank of the general
with wfom they might be serving by appointment. To
the personal staff of general it would seem prop:r to
give grade corresponding with his rank aud the
number might be fixed to correspond with his COM
maud To avoid the consequence Of discharge upon q
change of duty the variable portion of the personal
staff might be taken from the line of the army and al
lowed to retaiu their line commissions. s-
Tie disordered condition of the currency to which
have already alluded, has imposed on the Government
system of supplying the wants of the army which Is
unequal in its operation vexatious TO the producer
injurious to the interest end productive OF
such dlscoueut amOng the people, as only to be Jus-