The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-06-19
UNITED STATES ARMY.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITARY ARM
OF THE GOVERNMENT.

An Interesting Explanation Of its For
nation from Military Point OF
view-How the Army is Divided into
Various Administrative Departments.
Captain W. G. Champlin, who is the
instructor of the Young Mems Chris
ian Association Military Company OF
Poughkeepsie, N. Y, a few days ago
delivered an address to the company
in which he discussed the organiza-
lion Of the United States Army. He
said:
The army Of the United States is
directed during peace by the President
IS Commander in Chief. He appoints
officers, subject to the approval Of the
Senate, and issues all commissions OF
:ank. The Secretary Of War has the
direct administration of the army
under his care. The subjects Of supply,
legislation, administration, instruc-
ton, etc., are carried out through him
by a corps of officers specially educated
and peculiarly fitted for this work.
Every measure decided upon must
come before the Secretary of War for
l6nal approval, together, in certain
I Eases of sentences Of courts-martlal,
with the President.
The actual commander Of the army
Is the Senior Major-General of three,
: the other two Of whom, with the six
, Brigadier Generals, having charge OF
The geographical departments into
: which the country is divided.
t Army headquarters are in Washing
4 ion, D. c., where Major-General Miles
directs the whole under the Secretary
If War. The other headquarters are
8 10 situated that they may be in touch
l by rail or telegraph with the troops in
: The department, making easy the cen
;ralizing of troops in case Of need. The
}. headquarters of the different depart
;, ments are situated as follows, viz:
: DEPARTMENT Of the East, Governor
/. Island, New York.
Department Of the Colorado, Den
l. YER, COL
Department Of the Missouri, Chi
III eago, III.
< Department of Dakota, st. Paul
"a MINI.
ID Department of the Platte, Omaha
~ Neb.
Department Of Texas, San Antonio
;, Texas.
x Department Of the Columbia, Van
.; ,ouver Barracks, Washington.
o. Department Of California, San Fra1
no cisco, Cal.
It can readily be seen how easlI
IL. md speedily troops can be moved fro'
Ter the posts all over the country to Gel
10 10 tral point, either Of the department {
40 country. In Chicago during 1884
ne good example was shown OF no
in quietly and effectively it all worked.
md Besides the 1873 garrisons there a
es- seventeen arsenals and depots and to-
=. large recruiting rendezvous, besld
' 'nu many recruiting stations. There ~
'on further than these, schools OF applle
18th lion each for engineers, artillery, ca
alrv and infantry, and the Unit
alt Military Academy for the education
as officers at West Point.
You All troops in the field are in tou
= my ny constantly when practicable by; tie
axe granh or courier with departing
the Headquarters, whence they are dire
ow. ed in their work.
With The staff departments, or those
psrtments which assist the fsht'
branch, with headquarters at Wash1'
' 'aa, ton, and representatives with the
' a''d nartment commanders for their ass
hal tance, are: The Adjutant-Gener'
ave department., which issues orders
administration, transfer OF troops {
on officers, etc., is composed Of the .
yes. infant General, with the rank
It ne Brigaaier-General, together with
''ln teen assistants, either with him
RAN. scattered throughout the country v
Mar the department commanders: i,
life, The Department of Justice, WI
You has in charge trials for otfenses,
'hich cisions in law, is composed Of
70 a,, 10 Judge Advocate General aad seven
a a1Je sistants and deputies.
c is I The Inspector-Generals DEP
here ment, which has q care TOR the
cheney Of the fighting men ana
sweet rectness of accounts Of dlsbur
have officers. etc., is made up OF the Ans
'uSnt tor General with six assistants.
! ! t n"e The Supply Department. winch
! INV nishes all stores for the army ez
t it." arms and equipments, builds barr
esst- and quarters, transports 6nt troops,
I am ;s composed Of the Quarterm"
'elled General, with foriy-fve assistants
ue. Ouartermasters.
your The Subsistence Department, "
'n e1. supplies the army with food, or
i back to this supply, is composed o o
ithout Commissary- General OF suosist
les a. with twenty-four assistants ana
lder if +;o.
e Will The Medical Department,
Gov tho sick and wounded