The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-19
DKsFnrroNs IN TIE ARMY
Their Re-unrhn able Increase OF I.a,e-Credit-
nbi. Record or the Coiorcd Troops.

W.syrSoroN Nov. 1S-Were not enlistments
go brisk. owing to the hard times that moro
good recruits offer themselves than the army
limit will admit. there might be more anxiety
over tho disclosures in regard TO desortion
Even with the assurance that tho assertions
will lie fully and easily set of Ivy tho enlist
men's the former present n serious problem.
not only on the ground OF the Increased en-
pense entailed. but in their influence on the
discipline Of tho army. For there are now
other sources OF depletion. the chief one being
tho system OF purchasing discharges. which
was intended to decrease the number OF de-
sertions. When accordingly. it IL found that
these last arc largely IN excess OF the figure
for the preceding year. the matter becomes
rather discouraging.
Some facts hearing on the subject are con-
tanned in the reports Of the officers oil the
Inspector Generals Department. Col. Heyl in
the Department OF the Missouri reports 1S3
assertions there for the last fiscal year in place
OF 14U the year before. being an increase OF
about % per cent. although there has been
decrease in the average cd strength. Out
OF the 1879 noted the cause for desertion was
unknown in GA cases. while in IS 1t was nut
down as general dissatisfaction" and In 20
moro rs ito escape trial and punishment"
The remaining known cases were so misccl-
lnneous rs to give little clue to the reason OF
the increase.
Major Nroom. Department OF Texas. reports
an increase OF assertions there. and thinks
= heroic treatment the remedy for the evil.
Lfeut.-Ccl. Bacon. Department OF the Platte.
shows ITO assertions there against 10 last
year. being an increase OF 3S per cent. He
recommends tho repeal OF the law prohibiting
the enlistment Of privates who have served
ten years: also the paying OF a higher interest
mar ant COLI iare' IapN otfu ~ MAJ
with the Government. and. finally. q return to
Major. Hamilton Of the Department Of tho
from 175 last year to 2is now That is about
- per cent. For 1873 out OF the 2lS desertions
%ho IN sr
first year. He nWtes tho important point that
the The increase IN assertions had begun before
tho passage OF the ten years' law. RESTLESS
ness and the lack Of suitable punishment for
desertion seem to hin, connected with the OK
prison discipline administered in the army is
as efcncious, Us that administered in civil
Major Cinfree. in the Department OF Arizona.
has an extraordinary, record to repoIt for
tne5s the had 80
snss " ns1a , II The 5rst Saysiry
the Eleventh Infantry 8. the Twenty. fourth
Corps !. or course the enlisted strength pres
ent makes difference but the First Cavalry
!, nine and the Second ten troops there. aud
fourth eight companies.
Lent Col. Kent. department Of Dakota. re-
or over 4G per cent. There we find the Eighth
Cavalry. with nine trroop,s; losing Is men by
also with nine troops. only losing nine men
We find the Twenty second Infantry. with
srht nlnE & the
losing only men. This is certainly IL re-
mnrknhly creditable comparison for the col
Lieut.. Col Burton. Department OF California
makes an exception in tho general run Of re-
there but the general result through the army.
as has been seen. il a great Increase.
Col. Gordon. sixth Cavalry. thinks TINT tho
rca! trou bic is in enlisting boys of restless and
uniformed dispositions with no stability Of
ments may increase the trouble.
Lient.-Co Young. Fourth Cavalry. com
q the Geserters at that n"int ar" recruits Who
have enlisted frnuducntly and fear trial. Col.
Carlton. Eighth Cavalry. thinks it would he
ments. Col. Burt Twenty: NTH Infnntry and |
many other officers think that one trouble is |
shield til" deseiter. as II he were escaping
rom tyrannical treatment. Col. Townsend.
Twelfth Infantry. has this noteworthy sugges-
Ss s s and DO @ W.T. wh tn.
md lthorers and the Adutant must have CLERKS
Then enlist snecRliy for such dnty. giving ray for
he work tho men not enlisted as soldiers but AS
hanir4 clerks and nborrrs. Let sold crs he soldiers
nj Il they have labor let 1t he military labor. If
hey handle the prk aud sloye let Il he Tor intreuCh
nents or something IN the In" OF their profe
II company numbers siNty men the rolls. there
houd be sixty men Tor dr and parade less the sick
II those guard. when he comes on guard. there
hoTli be no "d guard fatlgnc ihs only fatcne work
or linn should be keeping his PREMISES clean. lie
hnuld always be for military duty II lie ensts TO no
soldier let him be soldier and nothing but Il sol.
ter Fhen shall have contentei ro!dIcrs II there
IL any such.
These are all interesting suggestions. and
perhaps they may bear fruit IN securing rem
dies Tor the OWL OF excessive desertlon.