The morning call., 1891-10-12
WITH THE REGULARS.
Contemplated Features of the Re.
organized Signal Corps.
Badges for ARTILLERY Gunners -Court-Martial
sentences-A Reduction in Rank-Rsturn
of the Park Patrols.

Signal Corps Sergeants by the discharge OF
Sergeant Appleton Pritchard of Fort
Brown, Tex. There have been about seven
applications selected from which the ap-
pointment VIII be made. The corps has
been filed up, so far. almost entirely by the
transfer of on-comnissioned officers Of the
line, and it is the desire of the Chief Signal
Officer that future vacancies be filled from
the same source. A school Of instruction in
electricity. telegraphy, telephony, military
signaling, ETC., las been established at Fort
Riley, Kans., the present class consisting OF
nine Sergeants. Hereafter Sergeants trans
ferred to the Signal Corps will be sent to
this school before being sent to stations.
The early purchase of balloon train and
portable electric search-lights is c0ntem-
tlated. The prominence given to balloon
ing and signaling in the recent military
maneuvers in Europe have impressed the
War Department with the Importance of the
subject and the necessity of providing the
best means OF collecting and distributing
military information. BY the end of an
other year it is expected that a new field
telegraph and telephone train will be COM
pleted. AS already stated, the new uni
form is Identical with that OF the cavalry,
except that the faeings and plume and cord
OF helmet are black 1t is being prepared
for issue by the Quaitermaster's Depart
ment.
The War Department is still correspond
ing with department commanders for ma
terial for the general order of meritOri0us
acts and services for the year 1880.
BADGES FOR GUNNERS.
The badges for gunners in the artillery
contest have been designed and will be
made at the Rock Island Arsenal. They
are of silver. That for the first-elass gun
of wit ssltnpppoI'b an
graved between representations Of two pro-
jectiles From the bar by three circular
links hangs a round pendant, in the center
Of which is the representation OF the ar
tillery target i'll position with the words
First Glass" inscribed above. The badge
fer second-csss gunners is similar in shape
TO the bar of the trst-class gunners' badge.
1t is inscribed Second Glass GunBers,"
with a representation OF the target at each
end.
Major John W. Clous, j. A, is quoted as
having SAID in q lecture on military punish
ments that the most severe are inflicted in
the United States army and the mildest in
the German.
During the week nine recruits arrived
from Columbus Barracks, Ohio, and were
taken over 10 Alcatraz Island.
CoURT-MARTIAL SENTENCES.
The proceedings and findings in three
cases tried by the general eourt-martial al
George Burg0yne of Battery |, First Artil-
lery, who deserted from the post on JaDu-
AIRY 8, 1889, and surrendered himself at
Stockton on September s, 1891, pleaded
guilty, was sentenced to be dishon0rably
discharged and TO be confined at hard labor
for one year. The confinement at AlcatTaZ
Island was reduced to ten months. the max
imum prescribed for SUCH offeuse. Private
William 5. Mcmahon of Battery H of the
Filth Artillery deserted from the Preside
on June 10, 1891, and was apprehended at
Sacramento OIL the 9Th ult. He viii BIZ con-
fined for one year. Private Robert Ward of
Company B. First Infantry, deserted at Ar
cata, Cal, on June q, 1890, and was appre-
hended near COquile City, Oregon, on the
18th Of August, 1891. He was sentenced to
confinement at hard labor for two years, but
this part Of the sentence was reduced TO
one year.
Cadet Thomas P. Curtis has been dismissed
from the military service, having been found
guilty OF abSeDiing himself from the Mill
IaTy Academy without leave and classifying
the hospital records to cover his absence.
Second Lieutenant John Il. Wholley,
Fourth Infantry, has /, en- ordered TO re-
turn to his station Fort Sherman, Idaho.
A LIEUTENANT's BACON SAVED.
The President has saved the bacon of
First Lieutenant James A. Swift, First
Cavalry, and mitgated the sentence OF dis
missal 10 reduction in rank for five years.
his name to be put at the foot OF the list Of
First Lieutenants of calvary. The PIesi-
dent Endorsed on the papers the following:
From the evidence in the case it appears
that the accused has contracted pecuniary
Obligations of such nature ana in such
manner as to indicate very careless habit.
if not q more serious fault. Any further
transactions of a like character would prove
beyond a doubt the latter to be the case,
and would render further leniency impossi-
ble But in view of Lieutenant Swift's
large family and the frequent changes of
station he has been required 10 make, the
clemeney recommended by majority of
the court and cOncurred in by the depart
ment commander will be granted"
The Second Controller has decided in the
matter of baggage accompanying the troops
or other employees of the United States when
transported by common carriers, that the
term baggage shall not be held to include
only the wearing apparel" of such passen-
ger.
Lieutenant Colonel George Fl. Burton,
Inspector General, Department of Califor-
MIA, went to Napa City during the week on
public business.
The Chief of Ordnance has asked for pro-
posals to furnish the army with twenty
Calling guns OF the 1899 model.
VIEWED BY A PAYMAsTER.
Paymaster Poole is reported to have said
recently in an interview: Members of the
regular army are paid too regularly and fed
too carefully TO make good soldiers IN time
of war 1t is comparatively pleasant to eat
regularly and draw pay every month, but a
soldier On duty is often too far from head
quarters to enjoy such Injuries. The pres
ent system has a tendency to effemnate
men and render them unfit for the vicissit-
udes of war"
Troops l and K OF the Fourth Cavalry
will be withdrawn to the Preside from the
Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks re-
spectiyely. according TO orders, mot later than
the 1st proX., or, if made necessary by bad
weather, the movement may commence on
any day after the 18th inst. that the respect
i've troop commanders may deem advisable
in the exercise Of due discretion" No such
tender solicitude is shown the troops in
Arizona.
Major Charles w. Foster. Q. NJ, has been
retired after forty years of service. CAPTAIN
James NJ. Marshall A. Q. NJ, has been pro-
noted
Captain Charles Fl. Warrens. Fourteenth
In tfain of