The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-23
MUSTER-oUT ORDERS.
War Departments instructions for
Releasing the Army

tne army.
The War Department issued a general
order yesterday giving instructions as to
the methods to be employed in mastering
out the volunteer army. The order is
similar to that issued at the end of the
civil war. over thirty years ago. They
contain, however, several improvements
among them careful method of physical
examination for the future convenience
of the Pension Office.
Following are the most interesting par
agraphs of the order:
ITO avoid expense to the Government
and hardshipS and annoyances to indi-
giduals concerned. by unavoidable delays
that will occur in the final payment of
officers and enlisted men absent from
their commands on muster out, COM
mandIng officers viii make every effort
10 effect the return of all absentees and
detachments prior to muster out of the
organization, and If for any reason an
officer or an enlisted man absent is unable
TO join his command. a full report of the
facts will be made to the adjutant gen.
eral of the army for further orders.
.All persons borne on the muster-in
and on all other muster rolls. and all
/ who have Joined or belonged to the or
ganization at any time since its muster
! in must b.. accounted for on the muster
out roll which is required 10 be a COM
plete record of all the officers and men
who ever belonged TO thu organization.
..As rule, the muster out Of organiZa-
| tions and their final payment will take
| place at the State or regimental rendez-
vous, except when otherwise ordered
| by the War Department. The prepara-
ton and completion of the muster-out
| rolls. returns and papers. and the inspec-
| ton and transfer of public property 10
| the officers of the supply dspAr ments of
( the army, except as hereinafter provided,
will take place before the organization is
! ordered TO its State.
| THE supply departments concerned will
arrange through the chief commissary
and chief quartermaster of the depart
ment within which the State rendezvous
is located for meals camp ground, shell
ter transportation and quartermasters'
| supplies for the time of the encampment
of the organization at the State or regi-
mental rendezvous.
ITO facilitate the settlement of pension
| claims that may be made on account of
disability incurred in the United States
service and to protect the rights of per-
sons who may be entitled TO the benefits
of the pension laws, as well as to guard
the interests of the Government it is or
dered that thorough physical examina-
men of volunteers, except general officers
and officers of the general staff, immedi-
ately prior to their muster out of service
or discharge. For this purpose a blank
form will be supplied by the adjutant gen
eral of the army.
THE mastering officer will report to the
adjutant general of the army any person
under examination who claims to have
a disability of which the medical officer
can find no evidence. or claims to have q
disability incurred in line of duty, where
as the medical officer if of the opinion that
the disability was not so incurred such
person will not be discharged until after
he shall have been examined by board
of three medical officers, to be convened
by the adjutant general of the army
which will make a full report of the case
in accordance with the terms of this or
der. If the medical officers fail to agree
with regard to the case, a separate mi
nority report will be made by the dissent
ing officer.
The physical examination having beer
completed. the regimental and company
records and blanks, and the colors, will b.
packed and marked. showing the organi
zation TO which they pertain. and for
waTded to the adjutant general of TIT
army the day before the muster out anC
payment takes place.