The San Francisco call., 1897-11-22

pany were assigned TO that duty and were spe-
cial,y drilled. From this time out special In
strGctons in the duties OF litter-bearers and
the thodS OF rendering first aid to the sick
aud wounded will be given 10 ali the enlisl ed
men of the army by their company officers for
at least four hours in each month. All avail
able men of the hospital corps will be in
structed by the surgeon OF the post in this
branch for at least eight hours in each month.
An effort will be made to have the law
changeI so as to allow chief surgeons OF mill
tary departments to make annual inspections,
which under the law as it now exists cannot
be done as effectually as is desired by the
surgeon-general
Captain John S. Mallory, acting judge advo-
cate, in his report 10 the Judge advocate gen.
eral, saws that deSertion from the army of the
United States is due to natural restlessneSs.
which is an American chara cteristic, and dis
position 20 change ones occupation for tenn
pOrary and often trivial reasons, which. how
ever, in the case OF men who commit the
crime of desertion, prove stronger than their
respect for the sanctty OF the oath OF enlis i
ment." also to the case with which the crime
oan be accomplished and the slight proba-
bility Of ubsequent apprehension and conse-
quen punishment. He declares that in time
OF peace there is too much sympathy among
civilians for deSer ter ana suggests that the
remedy would be to cultivate the same sen IT,
ment outside OF the service as there is within
III regard TO desertlon and to largely increase
the reward apprehension.
ComJauy C, First Infantry, Lieutenant
Frank o Ferris ommauding, came down
from Benicia on the Mcdowell last Saturday
ana took station at the Preside.
The work OF grading the big parade ground
at the Preside has been CONF ted and now q
force Of men with teams are busy placing q
top dressing of broken rock upon it.
Two large stone and brick stoi ehouses are
being erected at the Presdio post at q point
north and east OF the cavalry quarters
The months of December, January, Feb
ruary and March have been designated as the
period for the theoretical instruction of the
command of the Department OF California in
lyceums, schools Tor non-commissioued Off
GERS and post schools.
During the past week general court mar
tia passed upon seven cases and made short
work of the accused, who were charged with
being absent without leave, drunkenness aud
desertion. All were found guilty. and PEN
atty Wis TED on each off .nder. One charged
with desertion was sentenced to be dishouor-
ably discharged, forfeit all his pay ana serve
eighteen months Mt hard IL Dor. The brlgadier-
general in consideration OF the prev ous good
character of the prisoner reduced the i'm
priSonment 10 twelve months.
First Lieutenant Arch bald Campbell has
been granted leave OF absence for fifteen days,
commencing tomorrow.
Forty-six thousai rifle tall cartridges and
5 900 atbne cartridges OF the surp US ord
nance stores in the hands OF the ordnance
officer at Fort du CneS have been ordered
turned over 10 the quartermaster at Benicia.
The present system of paying troops will
soon be changed, and payments Will be by
paymast ters III person.