Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-06-01
The SOLDIER IN SERVICE. --..-A
Essay Read Before on,i the o National , Guard OF
City, March 10Th. 1893.

aud 1t IS the manner In which we NEE,
the occasion that will bring to us the
cummcndaiiun or condemnation OF the
public, that will secure TO Us the SYM
pathy and cooperation Of our fellow
citizens who now nrC too apt to look
slightngy and derisiycly upon Us.
But this misconccption Of the true
mission OF the military art is not con-
fined to the civilian We ourselves are
apt to misconcciyc, though In a differ.
ent way, It's objects, It's methods. its
accomplishments. Not inircqucntly We
hear the young graduate from West
Point complain that ut the Academy he
was never taught the practical elements
OF his profession. Thcofc ical knOwl.
edge IS at his fingers end. On
arriving ut his post Oi duty he has
an idea that his collegiate training
should III him for the immediate appli
cation Of II. At times he feels humil.
lated IN seeing an old sergeant better
qualified than he IN the details OF
practical work. lie Is apt then to ctiti.
else the course nj the Academy. | do
not agree with such. True military
education cannot be completed Ia a
collegiate course; any more than can
perfection in any OF the arts or sciences.
II is divided into three periods. The
theoretical at the Academy; the details
OF administration at the garrison, the
application Of both In the field or active
service. II i this latter period that is
so often neglected. Many there are who
20 through the routine 0i organization
aud drill successfully, who perform all
the duties incident to their position In
garrison with skill and intelligence, who
challenge comparison In everything, that
think they have achieved all that Is re.
quirCd. II Is only the primer to what
!, to come. We will admit rs q premise
that all these qualifications exist, then
let Us formulate what wall be required
in the third period OF cur military cdu'
cation
For this purpose let Us assume that
any one Of rs IS called out with our CON.
mand, a company, battalion, a fcgi-
ment OF brigade, to quell an iusurfec-
ton, TO oppose an organized opposition,
OF to protect threatened properly. What
would We do' We will be informed
that disturbance exists, that the laws
are being deiied, that property Is being
destroyed or held by llWless organi
zaiion, and We are to procecd to the
locality and overcome It, That is all
the information We get. How many OF
Us will assume the responsibility, or are
equipped with the knowledge necessary
to execute M Naturally the first per.
son to discuss Is the commanding officer.
do not assume to dictate conduct or
rules Of action for those whose rank Is
greater than We can reasonably aspire
to, but for those Of my own rank or my
juniors To whom will be entrusted most
oil the operations We may expect to be
actors IN. still ! will assert that per.
lection In the rules lay down for minor
action, will prepare one tor the require
ments Of larger aud more extensive
field. The thorough commanding oil.
Ger should be proficient IN all the details
OF his profession a. learned In the
school and garrison, TO know what his
command requires, what II can do, aud
TO instruct those to whom the details
are assigned. Generally, he should not
be hampeted with Their execution, but
he must know their necessity, the pro.
per methods for procuring, caring and
accounting for them IN order that before
engaging In any operation he may be
assured that his command Is properly
equipped tor the work assigned Il. lie
should be dlspassiOullg, secretiye, dis.
trustlul, Dispassiunate lest those under
him suspect over anxiety or timiiiiy.
Sectetlyc lest his plans become the suD.
iect Oi criticism aud opposition among
his subordinate. Disirustlul lest he be
Imposed upon by exaggerated reports,
and led into rash, unwisc or undigesled
action. lie should be prompt, entrgct.
&c, watchlul aud Tesolule, No quauty
Is more disastrous to a military com.
mandgr than indeClslOn. lie should
learn at the outset what he is expected
to do, and then decide what he .rW do
under every aud all circumstances, To
this end he will determine as lar as
practicable what contingencies may
arse. lie should endeayOr never to be
taken at a disadvantage. and never in
any emergency show the least hcsiti,
ton or surprise. Thus he will impress
his command with the idea that he is
equal to the undertaking, and remove
from their minds that most serious and
unfortunate sentiment, want Of conh-
dcnce. TIA command has confidence IN
It's leader the limit Of achievement Is
vastly increased.
His first duty Is to learn what to do,
plish IL. THIS opens up subject that
all officers ought to be familiar with
before attempting any opcratiOns-whdt
officers may do with their commands
under the law, | will not attempt to
elucida,e Il at this time for two reasons,
hfst, II is too extensive for the scope OF
TINS essay; second, | nope 10 be able to
induce Captain Allen OF my regiment to
read to you ms essay on law given this
year before the Officers Lyceum at Fort
Douglas most complete aud cOmpre'
henslye tTcd.iie, leaving you To no doubt
as TO your 7 negatives, your duties TO
your country, your command, and to
yourself.
The commanders next duty Is to con.
slider what force he Is gwen to accom-.
plsh his task wl,h-and the length OF
lime he may be engaged in its eNecu
ton. Thu, lie will give directions as to
the necessary supplies, subsistence,
arms, ammunition, clothing, equipags,
medical stores, transportation, Each VI
these headings may require special alIen'
ton. lis mode OF transportation may
determine tic kind OF subsistence; the
possibilities oi action, the amount Of
ammunition; the locality olhlsopefallons,
the kind aud quality Of clothing and
eguipagc climatic conditionsandc Change,
his medical supplies. It ms tTdnspoTta-
ton is overland by wagon, the ierllly
OF the country lie passes through IS an
important consideration IN determining
the amount and nature oil forage he wall
take. An these things the commanding
officer must attend to, lor he alone viii
be held responsible Tor the wants OF ms