The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-09

am aware that the confusion results from
the fact that the 37th section of the act OF
July %, 1866, clothes the Army Regulations
of 1868 with the sanction of law, but the next
section repeals all laws and parts of laws IN
consistent with the provisions of this act.
The regulations of 1868 are but compilation
of orders made prior to the war, when such
men as Davis and Floyd took pleasure In
stripping Gen. Scott of even the semblance
of power, and purposely reduced him to
cipher in the command of the Army.
Not one word can be found in those regu-
lations speaking of the duties of the Lieu
tenant General Commanding the Army, or de-
filming single act of authority rightfully
devolving on him. Not a single mention Is
made of the rights and duties of Com
mander-in-Chief of the Army. He is ignored,
and purposely, too, as part of the program
resulting in the rebellion, that the Army
without legitimate head should pass into
the anarchy which these men were shaping
for the whole country.
/ invite your attention to the Army Regu-
lations of 1S47, when our best soldiers lived,
among whom was your own father, and see
paragraphs 4S and 40, page s, and they are
so important that quote them entire:
''4S. The military establishment is placed
ulshtl lDt OiutfS VI tIC NletOl-pSHeldA Noih-
manding in Chief in all that regards its disci-
pline and military control. Its fiscal arrange
ments properly belong to the administrative
departments of the staff and to the Treasury
Department under the direction of the Secre-
tary of War.
''49 The General of the Army will watch
over the economy of the service in ali that re-
lates to the expenditure of money, supply of
arms or1panoa oud nrdnanpa CforeS clot hiuu
equipments, camp eguipage, medical and
hospital stores, barracks, quarters transpor-
tation, Military Academy, pay, and subsist-
ence; in short, everything which enters into
the expenses of the military establishment,
whether personal or material. He will also
see that the estimates for the military service
are based on proper data, and made for the
objects contemplated by law and necessary
to the due support and useful employment
OF the Army. In carrying into effect these
important duties he will cali to his counsel
and assistance the staff and those officers
proper, in his opinion, to be employed III
verifying and inspecting all the objects which
may require attention. The rules and regu-
lations established for the government of the
Army and the laws relating to the military
establishment are the guides TO the Com
handing General in the performance of his
duties"
Why was this or why was all mention of
any field of duty for the head of the Army
left out of the Army Regulations? Simply
because jefferson Davis had purpose, and
absorbed to himself, as Secretary of War as
Gen. Grant well says all the powers of Com
mander in-Chief Floyd succeeded him, and
the last regulations of 1868 were but a new
compilation of their orders, hastily collected
and published to supply a vast Army with
new edition.
/ contend that all parts of these regulations
inconsistent with the law of July %, 1866,
are repealed.
/ surely do not ask for any power myself,
but / hope and trust, now when we have a
military President and military Secretary
of War, that in the new regulations to be
laid before Congress next session the functions
and duties OF the Commander-in-C Chief will
be so clearly marked out and defined that
they may be understood by himself and the
Army at large.
l am, with great respect, your obedient
servant, w. I. SHERMAN, General.