The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-22
ESSENTIALS OF MILITARY Eff
Cheney.

+ In the course of the discussion of the
military bill in the House on Wednesday
the proposition to authorize companies and
regiments to elect their own officers was
defeated on the ground that such a policy
was detrimental to discipline and efficiency.
Such was the Judgment of every officer who
served in either army during the war who
spoke upon the subject. The action was
wise. If the Governor in any State should
permit such a selection of officers for new
regiments he would plant the seeds of de-
morslization in the commands A military
organization cannot be a town meeting. A
colonel selected by vote OF line officers
would at once place himself under personal
obligation to a part of his officers. Many
men. to secure such a command, would
make promises to subordinates such as
would compel him to show favors to them
and to overlook their inefficiency. The
sooner it is understood that authority in
military commands must be transmitted
from higher to lower grades without any
interference or compromise, the better.
If it is not recognized now that men who
are given commands must, by personal ex-
animation show some fitness for RESPONSE
BILE duties, aside from political influence or
local popularity, it should be recognized at
once. At the beginning of the late war
scores of regiments were demoralized and
thousands of men were disabled by disease
in camp because men were selected for
commands who had no knowledge of their
duties and who never learned them. The
Eleventh Indiana was ready for service
at once because two of it's field officers
had not only seen service, but were con-
nected with military organizations when the
war broke out. At that time there was
10 other way than TO take men for officers
who had no experience and TO select them
because of political prominence. Such con-
dition does not now exist There are scores
of men who are familiar with the organza-
ton and management of troops in Indiana
who would make magnificent regiments out
of recruits and bring subordinate officers
| into efficiency. Governor Morton soon
| learned the fatal weakness of popular cleo
| lions of officers and selected his higher Off
played in the field. More than twice as
many men died of disease during the war
as in battle, and three times more re-
turned in broken health than bore dis
abling wounds. A large per cent. of the
| deaths and disability consequent upon
| disease was due to the ignorance of officers
regarding the care of men in camp. The
man who is fit to command regiment
| should know how to prevent many of the
4 t,o
receives a commission which assigns to him
the care of a thousand men he should show
| that he knows something of what is neces-
] sary to insure the well-being of men in
camp. Again, it would be absurd 10 con-
! sign companies to the command of men
| ignorant of the merest rudiments of mill
tary duties when men who have some prac-
teal knowledge can be found At any rate
before q commission is given to any man
he should be examined by competent
| board as to fitness, or at least to ascertain
If he possesses the character and intelli-
gence which promise efficiency.
1t should be understood at the outset that
men who have commissions and men who
/ enlist are not going out for picnic-thai
| when they go into camp it is for instruc-
ton and preparation. The days must be
devoted TO drill and instruction. The colonel
fit for the position and approaching its i'm
portance should instruct the line officers
daily in tactics and camp duties. The new
rife is a somewhat complicated arm. rem.
dering careful instruction necessary for It's
use, whereas the Misunderstanding musket ol
the late war was a simple affair. The OIL
GERS who arc in charge Of men should b.
sufficiently intelligent TO give full Instruc.