The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-12
ITO Be continued.I
A Word for the Regulars.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
as read in THE TRIBUNE the letters of
comrades reciting their military experiences, /
am reminded that there was time when the
slightest allusion TO g the army" would kindle
enthusiasm in every true lover Of his country.
Have we army now: and If so, is it not as
much of Union army as it was in 1612-'15,
in 1S46246, or even in 1876? Yet, how
seldom does one ever hear anything about it,
or see anything but the merest little paragraph
stuck III the remotest corner of newspaper.
And the people of the country seem to know
little and to care very much less about the
army of the Union-its strength, efficiency,
personnel, or any details Of any branch Of the
service. How many OF cur citizens can affirm
positively Of the number Of regiments in any
arm Of the service, or can say who is COM
manding officer of this or that regiment, or
where any particular command is stationed
In fact, it seems as though the army was some
thing aside and apart from the body of the
Nation, in which we, for some reason, took
very little interest. And it is true that the
Regular army has always been exactly in that
category. The officers of the army-and OF the
navy as well-haye had the best advantages
of education and culture, and those of the navy,
in addition, have had the advantage Of life In
all parts Of the world, and so the officers of the
Nations defenders have formed, in a sense, a
sort Of an aristoeTacy. On the Other hand, it
is said and perhaps truly, that those below the
rank of commissioned officers are, many OF
them, of Indifferent personal character; that
very few are of native birth, so that there is
no personal interest felt in them or in any par
ticuiar troop, battery company or regiment
And, finally, it Is seldom that any considerable
body of our soldiers are quartered where they
can become acquainted with the people, or the
people with them.
1t has always appeared to me that the utter
indifference so many of Us feel in regard
to our army-or navy, for that matter Have
We navy ?)-is altogether wrong. 1t is
not SO in many Of the older countries in the
world, / think; especially in continental Eu.
rope and probably in the United Kingdom
The conditions, ! confess are quite different
In some of these countries every man has
served, is serving, or will serve, and so has a
| personal interest III some particular organZa-
| ton. Some regiments have a history running
back perhaps century or two; or they have
some particular popular nickname, compli-
mentary or otherwise, which designation is
more generally used, and is dearcr to them
and to the people than the official title So il
4 happens IN other countries that old and young
men and women, boys and girls. feel an inter.
! est in all movements of their armies, even in
times of peace, and are posted in army matter;
| to a greater or less extent. ] think every
American citizen should take deeper interes
i IN both the navy and army, and keep himself
! better informed in regard to them than feal
most of US are now. The Posts of the G. A. E
having garrisons or officers or soldiers on dc
! tached service near them, might do something
towards bringing about more fraternal feel
/ ing between the citizens generally and thu
army men by getting as many as possible Of
! the latter, who served during the war of th,
rebellion, to become members of their Posts
interested and active at that. And think
that all who we're soldiers of the Republic il
her extremity ought still to take an interest il
! our Regular forces, and TO teach their sons anG
daughters to do the same. May The TRIBUNE
live long and prosper.
JOHN L. TITcoMB,
Late Capt. S8th U. S. Inf
ENGINEER CAMP, LARAMIE Co., Wy.