New-York tribune., 1876-02-07
CEN MEIGS'S MISSION.

FOREIGN ARMIES AND THEIR ORGANIztTION 10 DE
srUDIED-THE STYLE IN WHICH OUR OFFICERS
ARE SENT ABRoAD-FULL PAY AND ALLOWANCES
OF A MAJOR GENERAL ALLOWED.
WASHINGTON Feb. 6.-Bcow are presented copies
of the orders under which Qdartermaster-Gencr1
Meigs is now absent in Europe His detachment
last Spring caused a great deal Of gossip in army
circles. because 1t generally supposed that the
Presidents desire to promote his personal friend,
Gen. Ingalls,. had more TO do with Gen. Megss visit
TO Europe than the desire for information which he
might obtain The following are the orders:
WAR DEPARTMENT. WASHINGTON CRY, Nav IL, 1875.
Gen. Nj. C. MEIGs, Q"0termdsier- General o. s. AT"'H
GENERAL: The President. recognizing your varied
and distinguished services AS an officer OF he engineer
service and as during the most
eyentfu period Of the military history OF the country
and desiring that your experen may be SUI iurtner
extended and results OF your observations bc eu
bodied i'll special rcport, directs hat you be detchi
upon special service with full ray ana ao"ahees' lof
the purpose of inspecting and reporting upon the or
ganizauon Of fo. egn armies IL ~ expected ta you
will make the staff department The sicci snoJect 3I
Departr n IT has been MANY years since that Dc
While other corps has enjoyed this advantage You will
emOrace in your final report not ohy tnr re
but that which may he Of most value IN the
reports Of your suburinatcs during the recent
repeion, and make sucn suggestions and rceommcnia M
lions IN your Judgment WI add To te th.rhcl Oi our
own organization. You will be allowed eighteen months
for this purpose from June L. such portion OF tha me
as ma be- deemed necessary by you properly 10 perform
| LII
n,ced i'm your way by 10 eign Governments officers u
the pursuit Of your inquiries II my be wr ne" 10 naVe
but 10 proceed in apparently private capacity But
this is lett to your own discretion an' General very
'''p''''"'''' ''1' Nm " BELkSAf Secretary Of War.
Gen. NJ. c. MEIGs, Quartern a. ter 6enordt
GENERAL: In pursuance 81 my communication on May
H. 1879, President directs that you proceed to La
rope upon special service in Inspecting ann reporting
for this purpose, beginning june II Is eIrecea that
you will the ,taf ii, partnenis the SUBJ ct 9' your
! ltVe
and make such suggestions aud reT9n, naatlons on
your judgment nal bc OF value IN AIDING ~ INC en-
| Cheney Of the United states army
During the absence herein contemplated you VIII ~
ceiye ull pay and allowances OF abrPadicfgccEa
Inclusive of fuel an quarters in kind, in quintity, AT
rates and under regulations prevailing AZ TINS station ior
the time You VIII also receive actual expenses oi a,
travelling performed by you, under this order provided
in General orders g, and H., Adjlnni-Gcncrais Omre
scres of le74 without tne mliaInn oi ,e me, 10 "ilr @
charges hotel bis subject under such orders pro
yided that hotel bills or other items OF travel tt
I pcus.s shall be charged while sOJournng al any point
az which you may have hired quarters FOR tho same nc
Two dollars per day VIII be aowel az Once eA "
be paid from the appropriation Tor cohthsehceSoi oi the
army. , ..,.a.o, -, ,,,o,,, r,,L
u hereby ordered to accompany y0n dofh your "seh
TO receive full pay and allowances OF an is
grade. inclusive oi iuei quarters in hInu, nu
expenses; all under the conditions abOvs pleScilp
You are also authorized employ one quartefIaseTh
clerk, to accompany aud all you Ia TIE colccuoh
ami preservation OF papers aud Ia keepng accounts 3i
expenditures. The Gle VIII receive 500 per noln
and travelling expenses be paid by the Qnar,rI arr eo
masters Department prescribed ia Gcner Od;fs %
aud II cited, without limitation oi time, 10 "io"
i
All payments contemplated IN tbls oidcf VIII ~ pu"
In gold Those for tue month OF june WIN "ch Tue
present n, d. year Terminates inclusive OF uaNoS q
pcnses 70 London, ENGLAND, may be made mere III au
vance upon estimated vouchers, and m"noranduin Hc
yny the vouchers for travelling erpcnscs 10 SCI
FORTH the items and the eel thcd u he anenue
u that the account Is esimated me ICES & -
aurrd for subsequent 10 June 80 VIII nc iu7heu
Ia you In advance in sufficient FOR s1 months al a
time To this end, you VIII submit proper estimates ,9
the Pay and Quaitcrmaster's departments, which WIZ
th,reipon draw their coin equs ions Tor Tue amounts
called Tor 10 invested by them III bills oi exchange o
depost TO our credit with the banking house OF song
ma Brothers in London. The cost OF exchange VIII oo
paid by the Qu sters Department from III" hppro
uIiatiOn contingencies. You VIII account 10 e
denartents or the funds pertaining to each rendering
The returns and vouchers prescribed By Their reSuat0S
for like receipts a disbursements. Very respectfully
| VA. ". BELKNAP, Secretary or war.
| Man ~, 1875. }
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 104-[E1tract l-rhe Preside mt
Of the United directs that the following order DO
ma e l. BrigadelGeue,dl NJ. G. Mcigs, Qualtelidstei-
General IA gned To special duty according 10 us com
rnisson Of nalur-gcneral by brevct und instructions
from the Secretary of War, to tahe effect juno 1870
| BY order OF the Secretary Oi War.
| ~ l.. ID. TOW ksEsD, Adjutant- General