Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-08
SOldieFs - the Frontier.
GEN. sHERhAN HAKRs eo,n ACCOMMODATIONS n
THEIR FAyQR--NIIIrARY sCHOokS


Gen. sherman's annual report, an abstract Of
which was published In yesterdays STAR, con-
tanned the following: 'Tt would be wise and would
lead to the general welfare OF the army II some
just rule could be adopted for term OF service by
regiments In the remote and less favored parts OF
our vast country. Spite Of wise counsels and
sage advices,' Officers will marry, have families
ana yearn for schools, churches, and refined so
c1ety. These are not to be found in the remote
corners where duty compels US to post our
pickets. Hitherto Arizona, New Mexico, Texas,
i Idaho, Montana Montana, Dakota etc, have been
and 1t Is natural that ofdcers, and even SOL
diers, should feel neglected II left there as we
have been forced to DO. for ten and fifteen years
at time, and the consequence has been that
friends. especially members OF Congress, try to
have particular Officers called away from their
tary duty nearer home. This cause has had q most
damaging influence on the army, and II we could
give any assurances, as Is done in England, that
regiment sent ABROAD rs 1t were, to Arizona or
the Rocky Mountain region, should not be kept
there over nye years consecutvely, it would much
there Is feeling that Partially favor bansnes
whole regiment The artillery regiments have
geners NY oeen intercnanged by some such tacit
frontier, where alone their services are appreci-
ated and needed; and they are only changed
when there Is some pressing necessity. The In
fantry regiments, as rule, have The hardest time.
Each department commander may SHIFT his troops
according 10 the necessities OF service, but is, q
course, limited TO the area Of his own command.
The division commander Is also necessarily en-
powered to move his troops from one department
to another OF his own division, but is usually re-
str1cted 70 movement demanded by actual danger,
and Is often restricted for the want Of necessary
money. SO at army headquarters. Regiments, or
even companies, are only ordered from one dt-
vision to another when necessity demands, and
regiments are only moved when the appropriation
admits OF 1t, and this Is most rare. Now, believe
we can and ought to keep three infantry regiments
In the division or the Atlantic; that each should
have tour OF three years rest, and then be re-
placed by another regiment which has been long
est on the hlo drande frontier, or in the fartheSt
west Inc mere hope OF sucn detail would carry
contentment to many a family now seemingly
banished far from home and friends"
Referring to the reports Of Brigadier Gen. How
ard, or the military academy at West Point; Of
BVt Maj Gen. Getty OF the artillery school at For
treSs Monroe and OF Col Otis, OF the school OF APP
pllcatlon at Fort Leavenworth, Gen. Sherman
says: "They exhibit tho great care and
labor which have been bestowed upon military
educauon IN che army during the year. All Of
and most satisfactory bass are we'll administered,
and fulfill admirably their several PURPOSES" In
regard TO post schools for officers and soldiers
children, Gen. sherman says: "AS no provision Is
made Tor teachers other than by the detail Of off,
GERS or enlisted men, these schools cannot be said
to be successful Too many OF our officers and
enlisted men are already OF necessity taken from
their companies for daily or detached duty, 80
that cannot recommend any further reduction OF
the fighting force for this or any purpose; but II
Congress Is disposed to furnish teachers in
or the present organization, am certain these
schOois can pc gradually made universal, and
they Will doubtless prove auxiliary to good order
and discipline, IL they do not actually rescue many
good men from the usual fate OF ignorance and
Vice.