The National tribune., 1894-04-12
A REORGANIZATION SCHEME.

"a AZ
The measure introduced into Congress by
| Mr.. Cultivate for the reorganization of the
| artillery and the infantry Is more likely to
satisfy the former than the latter arm. The
| plan pursued by Mr.. Cultivate is different
from that of the many preceding measures on
the same subject This element of novelty
| entities it to attention.
II adopts, TO begin with the plan of increas-
! ing the artillery from five regiments to seven,
but its characteristic feature is that of consti-
tuting five regiments as corps of artillery
and adding to this two regiments of mounted
| field artillery. atI
| The whole organization is to be under chief
of artillery, with the rank of Brigadier- Gem
erai, selected from the artillery Colonels, and
| becoming a member of the staff of the army
| commander.
The five regiments of this artillery corps
| would have each - batteries as now, and each
| battery would have one Captain one First and
| one Second Lieutenant one First Sergeant,
| four Sergeants, four Corporals two artificers,
two musicians. and AZ privates. Each regi-
ment would have Colonel, a Lieutenant-C0l
ne and three Majors, as now 1t is provided
| that the President may increase the non-com-
miSsioncd officers by four more Sergeants four
C0rporals an armorer, three machinists, and
three electricians for each battery when he
deems necessary as in time of war, and may
also add a Second Lieutenant besides ncreas-
ing the number Of priyates to 16O Certain
changes are also made in pay, all the rates for
commissioned officers and privates remaining
as now.
In the two regiments of mounted field artil-
lery there are, OF course, some changes from
the foregoing, the grades of drivers. cannoncers,
and on, being provided for, and a specific
organization in each regiment of four mounted
batteries as a battalion, under its Major. And
there are two such battaions to regiment
There is further provision for promotions,
first by seniority and then by selection the
latter having special reference to fitness for
scientific seacoast artillery service after which
viii come the assignment of the remainder Of
the officers to the field artillery, although APP
rication may be made for the latter
This indication OF preference in favor of
the heavy artillery is in itself noteworthy, the
popular impression being, perhaps, that tho
command of the light batteries is the more
attractive service, indeed it ordinarily be-
comes the more famous in time of war with
field campaigning. But the high value placed
upon the work of scaboard defense in the
future of army service is obvious.
The plan Thus set forth would certainly bring
large number of promotions to the artillery.
There would be- 10 begin with, a Brigadier-
General, three Colonels and as many Lieu.
tenant-Colonels to provide for, and then the
promotion would go on in lower grades.
There would be some actual retardation of
promotion III the infantry. Those who are
now Lieutenant Colonies and Majors would
particularly suffer. On the other hand, the
Captains would profit, because there would be
three Majors to each regiment under the three
battalion system. instead OF only one, as now,
or total of 60 in place Of %. as at present.
The promotions of 80 Captains would be i'm
mediate; but there would be reductions in the
numbers OF officers in every grade below that of
Major, and altogether the infantry would per-
haps be disappointed at getting their threebat-
talon system on such teI ms. after hoping for
different solution Of the problem.