The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-12-23
MILES, ARMY BILL
HOW HE WOULD REORGANIZE
THE u. s. ARMY.
Makes Recommendations which
He Thinks are For the Best In
tereStS of the Government.

measure which will serve as the basil
son. looking to the Incl and re-
modelling of the regular United States
army. has been completed by the com
handing general of the army, and to-
day was handed by him to Secretary
Alger. who will transmit it to congress-
probably through the chairman CT the
house committee on military affairs,
Representative Hull, after he has had
an opportunity to make any changes
h a he may deem desirable.
The explanation of the general broad
principles of the bill Zone feature of
which provides for the creation of
three new offices, a general and two
lieutenant generals of the army, in &C
cordance with the practice of modern
military nations) is disclosed in the
following letter:
Headquarters Of the Army, Wash
ington, D. c., Dec. 5.-The Hon.. Sec
rotary Of War-Sir: I have the honor
to submit herewith the draft of a bill
for the reorganization Of the United
States army, based on the strength Of
one soldier to 1000 of the population of
the United States and two soldiers to
1000 Of the population in the dependent
cclonies-approximately 100, GOO men.
my recommendations are for what
l believe to be the best interests of the
government, not only at present, but as
far as we are able to see for the future.
Recommendations have been made re-
CARELESS of any personal consideration
of officer of soldier at present O n
nected with the military service.
NEEDED FOR DEFENSE.
1.-The proportion of artillery, cavalry
and infantry is in accordance with the
immediate necessities Of the United
States. We have 1000 miles of coast,
with twenty-seven principal harbors,
where are located millions of people
and property of almost inestimable val
ue. That they should be properly de-
Tended is demanded by every consid-
GRAFTON of prudence and good admins
%tration. In addition to his we have
the important harbors in Porto Rico,
Cuba and the Philippines to defend,
requiring a large force of artillery.
1.-The organization recommended is
such as to give rank in proportion to
the important duties and responsible
ties required of The different officers in
our service and is similar to the or
ganization which has been found most
efficient in the armies of all other CIV
ilized nations and also to hat which
was found to be most effective in the
confederate army between the years
1861 and 1865. A similar organization
has been recommended by General
Sherman and Lieutenant General Scho-
field.
II earnestly recommend favorable
consideration Of the organization as
presented. Very respectfully,
"NELSON A. MILES,
Major General Commanding"
Following are the principal features
Of the bill:
FEATURES OF THE BILL.
Section 1 provides that the military
establishments Of the United States
shall hereafter consist of fifteen regi-
ments Of cavalry, fourteen regiments
Of seacoast artillery, two regiments Of
field artillery. two regiments of engi-
neers, fifty regiments of infantry, the
professors and corps Of cadets at the
United States military academy and
such other force as shall be provided
for by this act.
Section 2 provides that each regiment
of cavalry shall consist of three troops,
1000 enlisted men and complement Of
officers.
Section 8. Seacoast artillery shall
consist Of fourteen regiments of
twelve batteries each: field artillery,
two regiments of twelve batteries each.
In s%eacoast regiments, 1900 enlisted
men; each field artillery regiment, LOOP
enlisted men; complement of officers.
Section 1. Infantry arm shall consist
Of fifty regiments of three battalions of
o companies each, each regiment to
be Of 1900 enlisted men; infantry arm
to be organized on basis of two army
corps Of three divisions Of three brig
AIDES Of three regiments each.
Section S. Each regiment Of cavalry
shall consist of one colonel, one lieu
tenant colonel, three majors, twelve
captains, fourteen first lieutenants
twelve second lieutenants, mi veter.
mary surgeon, one sergeant major, one
quartermaster sergeant, one chief ar
tificer, mi chief musician and one
chief trumpeter. Each troop shall con
sist Of n first sergeant, one quarter
| NJ q cta~ coveroo~k ci~ ~o~~1o-k~ 800