Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-27

oNiN1HNe oL al concerned.
II is the popular impression, probably.
that 1t is an easy matter to get rid OF
an army. but il is pretty safe to say that
the work Of raising 1t was not much
greater Following is the order referred
TO above:
War Department,
Ad1utant-Generals Office.
Washington, August 20, 1893.
General orders. No. l2l:
!. The following instructions for the
muster out Of the service OF United
states volunteers are published for the
Information and guidance of all con-
cerned:
/. only officers Of the regular army will
be detailed by the War Department TO
muster out troops, and in all matters per-
tanning to their duties as mastering Off
GERS the officers and men OF organizations
10 be mustered out Will be guided by the
instructions of these officers, given in
pursuance of authority conferred by the
Secretary of War
z. The mastering officer proceeding &C
oording TO a well-considered plan. suited
TO the situation. will make full use. under
the supervision Of the company or other
commander. OF the men of each com
pany or other organization possessing
clerical ability, 80 that the transfer OF
property, preparation of physical record
blanks. correction and completion of or
ganization records, preparation and COM
parsOn Of property returns, statements
Of charges. and muster-out rolls may be
accomplished with the least possible de-
lay, each individual engaged in the work
of comparison being required to initial
the paper compared, in order that the re-
spOnsibility for errors in comparison may
be fixed.
8. To avoid expense to the government
and hardships and annoyances to indi-
viduals concerned by unavoidable de-
lays that will occur in the final payment
Of officers and enlisted men absent from
their commands on muster out. COM
handing officers will make every effort
10 effect the return Of all absentees and
attachments 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 10 the Adjutant-
General Of the army for further orders.
l. The mastering officer. from the daily
reports of his staff assist ants, and his
own notes will Telegraph TO the Adjutant-
General of the army. in brief. daily pro-
gress in the preparation OF returns,
vouchers, muster-Out rolls, transfer, and
disposition of property, physical exami-
nation of troops, muster out, payment.
and departure from the camp or station.
with designation Of the organization, and
statement Of the number of officers and
men separately.
s. Officers who at any time were re-
sponsible for public property Of any
description must obtain certificates OF
nonindebtedness before their final pay
ment can be made. Commanding officers
will therefore, forward at once TO the
,r..,a,oI LIST ~ all
the officers of the organization TO be
mustered out. and 10 the quartermaster-
general, commissary-g general of subsst-
ence surgeon-general, chief OF engineers,
chief of ordnance. and chief signal officer,
a list Of those officers who are, or at any
time have been, responsible for public
property Chiefs of the supply depart
ments mentioned will cause immediate
examination Of returns to be made, and
transmit the result thereof to the pay
master-Seneral
g. Oiicers who have not at any time
been responsible for public property will
be required to furnish the mastering Off
Ger with their afidavits TO that effect,
certified TO by the commanding officer Of
the regiment, independent battalion, or
company. The affidavits Of such officers
will be transmitted with the muster-out
rolls 10 the paymaster designated to make
the payment TO the organization.
7. All officers will be held TO a strict
accountability for the discipline Of their
commands, and the preservation Of public
property. Mastering officers are empow-
cred to prefer charges against officers who
neglect in any manner to take the proper
measures TO insure the government
against loss Of property, or to keep their
commands together, and under proper
discipline.
o Co.,. - 81. c.,ef aoror+,,oa,te %
the regular army will be detailed, when
practicable, 10 receive public property,
supervise the preparation of all returns
and papers relating thereto, and for the
performance of this duty will receive spe-
cial instructions from the chiefs of the
supply departments Of the army.
9. The supply departments of the army
will continue to furnish organizations
with needful supplies until date of final
payment and discharge
10 The mastering officers, upon arrival
at the camp or station Of the organization
TO be mustered out, will make
careful examination Of the regimental
and company records and cause any
omissions found TO be supplied in order
to complete the records.
IL Five muster-out rolls will be pre-
pared under the supervision of the mus
tering officer by the proper commanding
officers with the greatest care TO dNOld
any Injustice being done TO the govern
ment or 10 persons who at any time were
members Of the organization, special at
tention being given TO the requirements
of the last paragraph Of Circular No. 81,
current series, from this office, being
careful to note that settlement of cloth
ing may involve different fiscal years,
and all concerned in their preparation
will initial the same and carefully read
the instructions for the preparation or
muster-out rolls" printed on the back
OF the rolls.
70 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 the muster
i'm. must be accounted for on the muster
ont roll. which is required 10 be COM
nlete record Of all the officers and men
who ever belonged 10 the organization.
II After the muster-out rolls have been
ncepared. they will be carefully examined
bv q board OF officers, 10 be appointed
nv the commanding officer, which viii be
furnished with the retained copy of the
muster-in roll. with copies or all the
muster rolls of the organization and other
necessary data Under the supervision of
Inc mastering officer the board Will com
are rolls and data with the muster-odt
nc IN insure their absolute correctness
in ali respects
"a Discharge certificates viii be pre-
rared for every officer and man, present
9l.e nsaf nfttFarC