Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-26

districts during the past year has been
| much larger than heretofore, and that has
doubtless contributed considerably toward
| the great reduction of desertion.
By a recent order the maximum age at
| which original enlistments are made has
been reduced five years, and is now limited
to those under the age of thirty years. 1t
| would be very desirable if this age-limit
could be still further reduced, and no re-
| enlistments allowed except in case of such
| on-commiSsioned officers as have attained
| special proficiency. This would return the
soldier after three or five years service to
civil life in the majority of cases better
| fitted for it than when he enlisted 1t is
| better that the soldiers service should be
| an incident and not the business of his life.
| If retained too long in the army he cannot
| succeed out of it, and SO may end his days
in the soldiers home, instead Of in home
| of his own. The army, in time of peace,
while training men for the possible con-
| tingency of war, should not unfit them for
| the certain duties of peace.
| Lam confident that after a few months
training they will be fit for any service,
| and, properly managed, will furnish val
liable addition to the military strength of
| the nation. Great care must De taken IN
| the selection of officers to whom is intrusted
| the instruction and development of these
| companies. Only officers of high charac-
| ter, who believe in the work and i'll the
| possibility of progress and civilization for
| the Indian, who are patient and faithful,
| and not only soldiers of highest order, but
| imbued with something of the missionary
| spirit as well, should be selected.
1t is not only an important step toward
their civilization, self-support and control
but II is the cheapest and best insurance
against further Indian troubles. While l
believe they will prove trustworthy in any
service, even against their own people,
they will at least be sureties in some meas
ure for their respective tribes.
THE ARTILLERY.
The bill for the reorganization of the
artillery passed both houses at the last seS-
sion OF congress, but amendments were
added in the senate, and the amended bill
reached the house so late in the session
that it failed to receive action From a
purely military standpoint the organization
of this arm is not defective, but two first
lieutenants in each battery are an unneces-
sary expense.
THE THREE-BATTALIoNO ORGANIZATION.
The question Of the three-battalion Or
ganization for the infantry has been before
congress, and on account of the great de-
fectS of the present system must necessa-
rily be the subject of discussion until rene
died by legislation. A measure in other re-
SpectS desirable which would materially
increase the expense of the army might not
receive favorable consideration, but the es-
sential features of this change can be had
without increase of expense.
The single battalion organization of in
fantry is radically defective and unfit for
actual service under present conditions.
During the period since the civil war our
infantry organization has remained I'M
changed, and is now, in respect to the sin
gle battalion feature, obsolete. 1t is SO
vicious that the first step in case of war
mus be to abolish it and to start anew 1t
amended iS
wieldy, incapable of subdivision to either
make or meet an attack under methods
now prevailing, and the situation grows
worse with every improvement of arms.
the development of range, rapidity and
accuracy of fire of modern arms, has been
so great that a smaller and more flexible
battalion is essential, for this development
makes celebrity in handling troops on the
field prime necessity.
ENLISTMENT OF INDIANS AS REGULAR SOL
DIERS.
In March last general order was issued
authorizing the enlistment of one company
of Indians for each of the twenty-six regi-
ments of white cavalry and infantry serv-
ing west of the Mississippi river. This ac-
ton was taken after careful inquiry into
the conduct in the past of Indian scouts and
police employed in military or quasi
military capacity.
The primary object. fully iustifying the
employment, in useful and legitimate chan
nels, TO a considerable number of Indians of
the warlike tribes Having been deprived,
by the extinction of game, of both employ
ment and means of subsistence, they can
not De changed at once from nomadS to
quiet and successful farmers. Incidentally
it was hoped that the habits of obedience.
cleanliness and punctuality, as well as of
steady labor in the performance of both
military and industrial work inculcated by
service in the army, would have good
effect on those who might enlist, and also
furnish an object lesson of some value and
exert healthy influence upon others of
their tribes.
1t was not deemed advisable to urge In
dams into the service hastily, and special |
efforts have been made to inform them of |
the responsibilities they would incur and |
the duties that would be required of them |
as soldiers. The results have been very |
satisfactory. Seven companies, three of |
cavalry and four of infantry. have been |
recruited to their full complement, and |
seven others partially, and the reports indi- |
cate that the organizations of these will be |
completed at an early day. | have had an |
opportunity to personally inspect some of |
these Indian cavalry troops, and have re-
ceived full reports showing the condition of |
others. In good conduct, drill and military |
bearing, attention to duty, observance of |
courtesies, and care of horses, arms and |
equipment, clothing, barracks. mess rooms |
and kitchens, they are al least equal to SOL |
dierS of other races of no greater expert |
ence.
For example, Troop L of the First cav
airy, recruited from the Crow tribe, though
none of its members had had more than five |
months services, furnished as early as Sep
TENDER IA last its full quota of non-commis-
stoned officers, trumpeters and privates for
guard, fatigue and other post duties; and |
on recent two weeks practice march of
the command to which it belongs demon
strated its capacity for the performance of
the various duties of the expedition. The
colonel of the First cavalry recognizes that
the men OF this troop possess in a high de-
gree the characteristics and traits essential |
in light cavalry, and considers them a valu-
able acquisition to his regiment. Salts
factory reports have also been received of
the progress of the Indian infantry COM
panies.
Nothing unfavorable has been brought to
the attention of the department regarding
the utility as military organizations of the
Indian companies of either arm. but so far !
there is every reason to believe that much |
more than was expected of the experiment
will be realized. They are treated in all
respects like other soldiers, and the same
duties are required of them. They are
dressed the same, fed the same, taught to
cook and eat their food in the same man
ner, and in every respect they strive earn
estly to equal and, if possible, Guido their
white comrades. All commands are given
in English, and though few of them under
stand the language, they learn the sound of
their orders quickly and make rapid pro-