The morning call., 1891-12-26
in THE ARMY.
Drawing the Line in Re.enliSting
Former Soldiers.
The Rank and File Averaged Up-Horses for
the Cavalry service-Recent Promotions.
Inspecting Indian Companies

Instructions to govern in the matter of
enlslments and re-eulistments of former
soldiers are now that no soldier who cannot
pass the examination in all respects will be
re-enlisted without special authority and
then only for his former command, and
when it is shown that any existing defects
will not prevent the full discharge of his
duties as a soldier, and that his continuance
in the service will be positive bene fit to
the army. Soldiers discharged as priv
ates upon expiration of term, and failing to
re-enlist within one month. will not be
again enlisted after they have passed the
age Of 50. unless for good reason in the in-
terest Of the service, and then only for their
former commands. The age limitation will
not apply to one discharged as a nom
commissioned officer desiring again to en-
list for assignment to former command,
though he must pass the examination and
furnish evidence regarding character and
habits since discharge. Soldiers discharged
with good character may again be enlisted
after six months upon the examination and
evidence alone. Soldiers discharged before
expiration of term for any cause will not
again be enlisted without special authority.
Regulations have been amended TO require
every enlisted man to be vaccinated, and
likewise re-enlisted men, unless they bear
lie mark OF previous vaccination.
AVERAGING UP THE SOLDIER.
Statistics gathered by the United States
Government in the latter part of 1890 show
that the enlisted soldiers of the United
States army vary in height from Il minimum
OF feet inches to maximum of feet y
inches The giant of the army is serving
IT. the Department of Arizona and the dwarf
in the Department of the Missouri In
weight the range IS even greater than 1t is
IN height. the minimum being 81 pounds and
the army being 1881, and the average height
being feet inches. The youngest soldier
enlisted is 10 years of age, the Oldest 66, the
average being about 80 years.
The Secretary of War has issued circu-
lar That boards for the examination of ap-
pointees to the military academy will con-
yene annually on March LIST and July 18th
at the military posts nearest TO fifteen cities
over the country.
The one unallotted item for coast defense
works Is that OF $4,000 for emplacements
In San Francisco harbOr.
HORSES FOR THE CAVALRY.
In an appendix to his report Inspector
General Breckenridge gives room to an eX-
haustlva article by Captain Durst, Troop
X, Fourth Cavalry, on the type of horse
that should be purchased for the cavalry
service and the education that should be
given him alter he is purchased. General
Breckenridge suggests the purchase of two
year-olds and retaining them al a remount
establishment for two years. Captain Dorst
favors purchasing the horses at from AZ
TO years, and then putting them through
as elaborate course OF training as the
German horses.
The Surgeon-Genera of the army is hav-
ing prepared information circulars for the
medical colleges and hospitals, where it is
hoped TO ind recruits for the reorganized
Hospital Corps
Lieutenants Benson, Troop K. and Lock-
wood, Troop /, Fourth Cavalry, are the
latest additions TO the corps of officers at
the Preside.
The canteen at the Preside has been re-
moved 10 the building formerly occupied as
apost-trader's store.
RECENT PROMOTIONS.
BY reason of the death OF Colonel Joseph
S. Conrad of the Twenty-frst Infantry
Lieutenant olOnel Horace Jewett, Third
Infantry, has succeeded to the Coonelcy in
the tirst-named regiment. Other promotions
are: Major Edward Moale, First Infantry
to be Lieutenant-C Colonel of the Third; Cap
tam Charles Bentzoni, Twenty Fifth Infan-
Try, to he NJ jOr of the First and since as
signed to duty at Angel Island, and. by an
other death. Second Lieutenant Z. S Ben
jamin, First, to be First Lieutenant in the
Fourth Infantry.
While some military critics in England are
complaining that the English army is made
up Of boys without stamina, Inspector
General Breckenridge says that in the United
States service the average is about so wears
This fact is due In some measure to the
efforts made for some years to induce men
TO stay in the ranks till they grow old and
60 on the retired list. 1t is in opposition 10
this practice that Adiutant-G General Kelton
in his report this year recommended that
except nOn-com mssioGed officers men be
not re-enliSted after fifteen years service.
A new schedule OF drills and calls has
been in effect at the Preside since the first
. 4, V.rf.h Ia H.
at 80 o'clock and guard mounting imme-
distely after. Drill for the mounted troops
is at 9 80.
Fatality has attended the colonies of the
Iwenty-frst Infantry, for during the year
Morrow, O'Beirne and Conrad have died.
MILITARY LEGISLATURE.
In the Senate has been presented the
perennial measure TO revive the grade of
acknowledgement. Senator Henderson has
q bill to increase Infantry regiments TO
twelve comnanies as now with the addition
OF Junior officers for the two proposed add-
tioDal companies; also to increase the en-
listed strength OF the army to 10000 Mr..
Proctor has bills also to reorganiZe the in
tantry and artillery.
The Acting Secretary of War has made
decision that the period of forty years ser
vice required by the act of Congress ap-
proved June 80 1852, to entitle an army Off
Ger 10 retirement on his own application, in
cludes the period OF his service as cadet at
Inc CHileu CNdktS MlllldTl ACdu6luy, w est
Point y. Y.
Second Lieutenant James j. Meyler, En-
gineer Corps, has been ordered to report in
this city on the 9th prOx. for examination
for promotion.
A correspondent to the Army and Navy
Register calls the Preside this army para
disc"
RESPECTING INDIAN COMPANIES.
Major Schwan OF the Adjutant- Generals
department has gone on tour of inspec-
ton OF the Indian companies, and will visit
all tine places where Indians are under en-
listment, and will observe wherein these
troops can be improved. This will be the
first general inspection of the Indian SOL
diers of the army, and the interest attach
ing TO the results of the present tour is more
than ordinary.
Regulations have been amended that off,
GERS in each ann of theseryice will be trans
ferred from one regiment to another there
in, as the Interests OF the service require by
orders from the War Department, without
change of rank or commission. The trans
fer or exchange of company officers of a
regiment Will be made by the General COM
manding the army.
First Lieutenant Godfrey II. Macdonald,
First Cavalry. has been detailed as aide-de-
camp to Major-G General o. o. Howard, COM
handing Department of the East
There is a bill in the Senate to repeal the
section which prohibits ex-Confederate Off
GERS from serving in the army and navy of
the United States