New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-13
AN ARMY REFORM BILL.
CONTAINING A PLAN TO REORGANIZE
THE INFANTRY.
THE BASIS OF 1T Is THE FORMATION or EACH
OF THE TWENTY FIVE REGIMENTS
INTO TuREE RATTALIONS


OF THE TWENTY-FIVE REGIMENTS
INTO THREE BATTALIoNs
lHY TELEGRAPH TRIRuNEl
| Washington, Dec 12-Representatve sherman. OF
| New-Y York introduced in the House to-day bin to
reorganlzc the infantry OF the Army on modern
| lines The measure contains number of excellent
| propositions. which. if adopted. would greatly in
crease the efficiency of this branch of the military
service. Some of the bilrs features original.
The three battalion scheme is the basis of the pro-
posed reorganization. The bill provides that the in
| fantry is 10 consist Of twenty-five regiments.
| twenty-three of which are to be composed Of white
men and two of colored men. Each regiment is 10
| have band. twelve companies. one colonel, one
| lieutenant colonel three majors one regimental
adjutant. regimental quartermaster. three bat
talon adjutants. regimental sergeant major,
regimenta. quartermaster- sergeant two color
bearers. for the National the other for the regi
mental colors and three battalion sergeants- ma jor,
one for each battalion. The regimental aijutants
are to be extra first leutenants The battalion
adjutan,s to be selected by majors commanding
battalions.
r Each infantry band in time OF war is to consist of
one chief musician who is 10 be the instructor in
music; drum-ma sergeant. three principal
musicia -sergeants. three assistant musican-ser-
geants-major fifteen private musicians and one
band cook In addition to their duties bands
men. the prncipa. assistants to act as instruct
ors of the trumpeters of the regiment in infantry
calls Each band is to be provided with separate
mess. 1t is to be commanded by the regimena
acjutant. In time of peace the rrivates of the
band Will be detailed for duty with the several
companies and be borne the company and regi-
mental rolls and returns.
Each company in time of peace is consist of
captain, one first lieutenant. second leu
tenant. first sergeant. four sergeants four cor
porals two trumpeters. one company clerk and fifty
privaes In the discretion OF the President the
number of non-commissoned officers and privates
may be increased. not TO exceed 1862. In case of
war, each company is to consist OF one captain, one
first lieutenant, one second lieutenant. first
sergeant, one ordnance sergeant one quartermaster
sergeant, commissary sergeant eight sergeants,
sixteen corporals two trumpeters' one CLERK one
cook, two assistant cooks. two artihcers, -FOUR
zsS to APPOINT amd Re rs ordnanee
and commlssary sergeants of his company. He may
company clerk. cook. assistant cooks. arifcers and
WagoneTs, taking men from his own company.
Separate company messes are provided for, as dis
pany is always 10 keep ready for field service the
various cooking utensils needed for detached duty;
The captain and his lieutenants, but the commander
of the regiment the lieutenant colonel, the major OF
the battalion and the medical officer serving with
the troops are to exercise general care in the mat
ter In time Of peace non-commssoned officer .,I
time of war the company commissary-sergeant will
perform this duty.
Infantry regiments are to be drilled in both open
and close formations The habitual order will be
Sllge rank IN time peace. IN time OF war II VIII
be that which the circumstances demand as best for
attack or defence. The companies are 10 be regu-
larry designated for the battaliOns, and four com
panies will constitute a battalion. The Secretary OF
War will appoint major as permanent commander
Of each battalion. In the absence of the major the
senior captain present will be in authority. and
while so serving he will be entitled TO the pay of
cavalry captain, also forage for two horses. Reg-
mental adjutans and quartermasters are to be
mounted. They are 10 receive $40 extra while
acting and forage for one horse Battalion adju-
tants and quartermasters are also to be mounted
but they to without increased compensa
ton. except In time Of war. In war time regimental
and battalion adjutants and quartermasters each
to be entitled to forage fer two horses. Majors
to appoint the battalion adiutants. There is TO be
battalion sergeant-majOr for each organization OF
that kind He, too is TO be selected by the major.
The bill further provides that all promotions in
the infantry hereafter to be made according
seniority determined by the entire length Of
service of officers. whether in the regulars the
volunteers and all officers take their PAGES
in the several grades In this order; An exception
is made TO the rule in the of colonies who have
reached that rank before the passage of the bill
Officers who have lost rank in pursuance OF SEN
fences of Court-martia are not to regain rank by
the proposed provisions