The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-23
IN THE ARMY.
Organization of a Hospital Corps
Battalion.
Using Force on an Enlisted Man-Attendanee
at Post Scholastic Helmet Attacked.
Locating the Boundary.


cation Of two companies of the Hospital
Corps, one to be stationed at Fort Riley,
kans., and the other at Fort ID. a. Russell,
Wyo. These companies will number from
forty to sixty men, and will, so soon as the
organization is perfected, be filed by en-
listmens from civil life, it being the inten-
ton OF the Surgeon General to communicate
with all the hospitals, training schools for
nurses, colleges of pharmacy and other SILL
liar Institutions for recruits for thls corps.
In this ay he hopes in time TO be able to
recruit this sanitary corps without drawing
upon the enlisted strength of the army.
Each company will be officered by three
medical officers, Captain and two Lieu
tenants, and have as on-cOmmlSsl0ned
officers three hospital stewards and four
acting hospital stewards. The duties which
will occupy all the working hours Of the
day Will consist of military and hospital
corps drills, with gymnastic exercises, OF
the lectures and EXAMINATIONS In the ele-
mentary branches of medical knowledge,
such as chemistry and practical pharmacy,
anatomy and physiology, bandsging and
first aid of the disabled, studies in the
theory and practice OF cookery. studies in
the methods of pitching tents and the for
nation OF field hospitals
This corps Will continue until the men are
thoroughly informed in iheir medical and
military duties and are sufficiently proficient
to warrant assignment to posts where there
OF this corps. With the facilities which
VIII be provided for instruction in cookery
it is expected that not only will the men of
the corps be made proficient in this valuable
art. but that other men will also be in
structed and that the school will ultimately
furnish skilled cooks to the line OF the army.
The first of these companies has already
been organized and is in active operation
at Fort Riley.
The Government does not provide prayer
and hanks hymn als al nther hooks for
chapel services, the Secretary OF War has
decided, but the Chaplain Is expected to OBJ
tain them through the voluntary contrlbu-
lions OF those Interested.
WHEN FORCE MAY BE USED.
Captain Thomas c. Leho OF the Tenth
Cavalry was recently tried by couTt-martal
at Fort Grant, Ariz., for striking priva to
of his troop with his saber while in the
ranks at troop inspection. The court ac-
quilted him in accordance with his plea,
namely, that be was guilty of the facts al
legged, but that no criminaity attached
thereto. General McCOOk did not approve
of tie finding and acquittal, but restored the
Captain to duty, saying:
The court in confirming the plea OF the ac-
cused and finding him guilty OF the facts as
stated IN the specification, but attaching no
cTiminalIty thereto, has evidently held that the
blows given were not in ended as punishment
OF Inc soldier for failure 10 promptly obey the
orders OF the accused. In this conclusion the
department commander cannot concur. The
evidence shows that they were given after re-
peated commands which tile accused believed
the soldier did not try to obey. blow given a
man for failure 10 obey IS In the nature OF pun
ishment. aud the greater or less severity OF the
blow makes II none the less Illegal ana an Of
tense. Tie use or force against an enlisted man
is only authorized 10 cases where restraint or
selfdefense, TO secure restrain 4 prisoner,
etc. and ii IS not juSiifable when intended as a
punishment
A decision Of the Secretary of War de-
aia h1f f,r Isea IF ita,-xr
reservations and lands occupied by the War
Department will be given without authority
from Congress, unless such use or oceupa-
ton will be Of some benefit to the military
service.
Lieutenant Colonel William H. Jordan is
now Colonel Of the Nineteenth Infantry,
Colonel Charles Ii. Smith having been
retired.
GRADES IN POST SCHOOLS.
In regard TO the post schools Adiutant-
General kelton recommends 10 his report to
the General Of the army that there be two
grades, one elementary, attendance at which
should be compulsory, and Ole moro adj
yauced, for the benefit of enlisted men
anxious to extend their field of knowledge, at
tendance at which should be voluntary. As
to teachers he recommends that legis-
ative authority be asked to enlist
for each post a fully qualified school
teacher, TO be designated as post school
teacher, and to receive the pay and allow
duVGS VI Il HOSpitdl SteWaEu, appointments
to be made by the Secretary OF War after
the candidate has passed an examination
before board of officers convened to in
Qutre into the character, special capacity
and aptitude OF applicants for these impOr-
taut positions for which also enlisted men
of the army should be considered eligible.
Such a law would be great inducement TO
the well-educated enlisted men. and suffi-
cient to insure applications for appoint
ment from well-edueated young men in
civil life competent as instructors"
The acting ge-Advocate General has
reported that under the Revised Statutes
Oaths of office of army officers should be
taken before some one authorized by United
States or LEGAL municipal laws To administer
them, officers of the army not being author
lied by law to administer oaths.
The people of Walla Walla have sent n
petition for the remission OF the court mar
tial sentence of Colonel Z. E. Compton,
Fourth Cavalry.
The abandonment OF Fort Bennett,
s. OAK, was announced as occurring on the
4th inst
DOWN ON THE HELMET.
In his annual report Lieutenant-C Colonel
j. Ford Kent, Eighteenth Infantry, Acting
lnspect0r-General,D Department of Dakota,
made vigorous attack upon the helmet.
He said:
have interviewed nearly every post and COM
pany commander in this department on the sub
Ject. ana with one exception, a Colonel of IN
idhli y, Vi lNe EttiItt PAINFUL,
uncomfortable headpiece, because of its weight
and iigidiiy; and all, except one Colonel of ill.,
fdnfy, one field Oflicer OF cavalry and one Lieu
tenant Of Infantry were III favor of - return 10
the slOuch hat, with the black feather, for all,
that was worn when the late war OF The rebell-
ion began. THIS hat, made a lille higher in the
crown than the Old pattern, folded ia on top aud
with less flimsy United States coat OF arms
than The Old style, is suggested fayorab BILE 10
almost every one who ever wore IL, as most COM
Portable, more distinctly American, far lighter
and more servlceable.
Lieutenant-Colonel Burton, Inspector
General Of the Department of California,
says IN his annual report: " | think it
would be advisable to have some uniformity
regarding the limit of profits on the general
articles kept by the canteens throughout the
service. This could be done by an order
from the War Department"
Announcement has been made of tho de-
tail of Iieuterant-Co Colonel John W. Barlow
aud First Lieutenant David Du B. Gaillaird
OF the Corps OF Engineers for duty in con-
Dection with the location and marking of
the boundary between Mexico and the
United States under the convention between
these two countries.
Upon being relieved at Fort Shuyler,
n. Y, Captain William L. Hall, A. S., will
come to Angel Island and report to Colonel
Shafter for duty.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
WORTH A GUINEA A BoX."$
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