The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-01-04
ARMY ORGANIZATION.
The Effect OF the New Bali Upon Our
State Militia and Volunteers.

volunteer othcers OF the late war, both
north and>south, whose interest in ques-
tions OF Army organization is still active.
The numerous formations of Militia organ
izations that are being made throughout
the country, and the fact that whatever
organization is adopted for our insigni6-
cant standing army necessarily becomes
the organization for our militia and voIun-
teer forces, naturally attracts attention to
any legislation Of congress on the subject,
and effects large portion of our readers.
The voluminous bill that is now before
congress on this subject is almost too long
for any one to read who is not compelled
to do it, and its complicated machinery is
not easy for the non-military man to IN
derstand,
Amoag its simplest provisions, we copy
for the benefit of our readers the follow
ing:
SECTION I3. That the corps of infantry
shall consist Of eighteen regiments.
Each regiment shall consist of four bat
"talions, of four companies, and shall have
one colonel, one lieutenant colonel. three
majors, one chaplain, twelve captains,
twelve first Geutenants, twelve second
Eeutenants, one sergeant major, one
,quartermaster sergeant, and two princi-
pal musicians"
g. SECTION 10. That each company of
infantry shall in addition to its proper
0fncers' consist of enc orderly sergeant,
Iour sergeants, four corporais, two arti-
ncers, TWO musicians, and except as here
lnatter directed, Of not less than seventh
five priYates.
The above sections are substantially the
same as those providing for the cavalry
and artillery, except that for the latter. the
organization is more complicated. 1t ap-
pears that what is proposed for regiments
and for the army generally is copied pref
ty closely from foreign systems. notably
the Prussian.
What we wish to call attention to is the
fact that the bill ought to take into account
the necessities and interests of our militia
and volunteer system, which it does not
appear to do.
1t is well understood that in case Of ;
war of any magnitude, our regular army
however perfect in itself, is too small fol
any effectual service, and We must rely, al
we have always done, on large volunteer
army. For this army we have severa
millions of men, and the organization tha
will permit this army to be put into tht
field quickly, arm and equip it, drill ant
discipline it, and get it into the best condi
ton for service that is pfacticablesunde
the circumstances, ought to be a subject O
paramount Importance in our army organ
ization. 1t is not question of what is th
best organization theoretically for perfec
army that has been drilled and discipline
for long term Of years, but we want t
know what will suit our army, our peopl
} and our country best
ut has become fashionable lately for me
In power 10 send favorite military officer
to Europe OF missions Of observation
When these officers return they have t
write a book: these books are copied large
ly from published descriptions Of the or
', ganization Of foreign armies, and general!
c recommended some one of these organiz'
tions, almost always the Prussian, for ou
a army, and so settle the matter very easii,
. This appears to be the basis of the bi
= before congress. The argument appear
s to be that because the Prussian army h;
been more successful than any other in la
e wars, therefore whatever is its organic
a ton, must be the best organization; not
: ing can be more fallacious than this re
. souiug aud conclusion when applied to OF
case.
n Prussia is an empire. Its army is a
:, imperial army. Its officers and soldie
y - are disciplined and drilled long term
!, years before they see actual service: Il
N countries they are TO fight in are total
}, unlike our country, so that if we come
any conclusion on the subject at all,
ought to be that whatever organization
n best for them is likely to be the very VOL
le for W.
Is 1t appears to US that regiment-orgs
~ ~ lied as shown in the sections copied-cC
to sisting of four battallions and containil
as provided for in subsequent sectiC
n only two men who, in time of W
as as can be detailed for the purpt
~ Of organization, will be a rather CO
,ss plicated machine. Volunteer officers "
took regiments into the field during
lh' war can judge of this. What we ut
apparently is the very simplest orgar
alton Of a regiment that can
he made effective We have also to take
ny to account the manner in which regime
"a y are raised. A town Of moderate size o
small area of country, can raise a IT
On mept. Its officers are from the same
cality, and are among its best citizens.
regiment should be no larger than the
GERS can train and manage well. Ii ia
he. with it into service valuable spirit of Il
rg pride, mulations. or, what military men
ap- esprit de Corps,
al 1t it were made up of several discord
sta sections, drawn from different comml
of ties, its organization would be slower
less effective. Nor does i: seem tha
could be SO well managed. or do SO 6
= service IN our peculiar country.
rec ii were practicable we would say
on the best way to determine what would
ah- tha hos. nrnnniaa.;o,. for n.,a &c o,,-