Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-07
INCREASE OF THE ARM.
MiIes's Plan of REORGANIZATION
Three New Generals.

Three New Generals.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. December c.
The measures which will serve as the
basis for the legislation of Congress this
session looking to the increase and re-
modelling of the regular United States
army has been completed by the com
manding general of the army, and to-day
was handed by him TO Secretary Alger,
who will transmit II to Congress, prob
ably through the chairman of the House
Committee on Military Affairs. Represen-
tative Hull. after he has had an oppor~
tunity 10 make any changes that he may
deem desirable. The explanation Of the
broad general principle Of the bill Zone
feature of which provides for the orea-
ton of three new officers, a general, and
two acknowledgements of the army, in
accordance with the practice Of modern
military nations), is disclosed in the fol-
lowing letter:
EXPLANATION FROM MILES.
HEADQUARTERS of the Army, Washing
ton, ID. c., December 8, 1S9S.-The Hon.
the Secretary of War: Sir,-I have the
honor to submit herewith the draft OF
bill for the reorganization of the United
States army based on a strength of one
soldier to 1000 of the population of the
United states, and two soldiers TO LOCO of
the population in the dependent Colonies
approximately 100000 men.
'My Recommendations are for what 1
believe to be for the best interests OF the
government, not only at present, but, as
far as we are able to see, for the future.
The recommendations have been made
regardless of any personal consideration
Of any officer or soldier now connected
with the military service.
"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 To-
Gated millions of people and property OF
almost inestimable value. That they
should properly be defended is demanded
by every consideration of prudence and
good administration. In addition to this
we have the important harbors in Porto
Rico. Cuba, and the Philippines TO defend,
requiring large force Of artillery.
ORGANIZATION LIKE CONFEDE-
RACY'S.
"The organization recommended is such
as to give rank i'm proportion to the i'm
portant duties and great responsibilities
required of the different officers in our
service. and is similar TO the organiza-
ton which has been found most efficient
in the armies Of all other civilized ma
tions. and also to that which was found
to be most effective in the Confederate
army between the years 1876. A SINH
lar organization has been recommended
by General Sherman and Mathematician
eral Schofield.
81 earnestly recommend favorable con-
sideration of the organization as pre-
sented Very reSDectfully,
(SigneO NELSON A. MILES,
"Major-General Commanding"
CAVALRY ARM.
The bill provides that the military es-
Establishment Of the United States shall
hereafter consist Of fifteen regiments Of
cavalry, fourteen regiments of sea-
coast artillery, two regiments OF field
artillery. two regiments Of engineers, fifty
regiments of infantry, the professors and
corps of cadets Of the United States Mill
tary Academy, and such other force as
shall be provided for by this act. TO be
known as the army Of the United States.
The regiments Of cavalry shall be or
ganized as now provided by law, each to
consist of three squadrons Of four troops,
each regiment TO consist Of 1000 enlisted
men, with the necessary complement Of
officers.
ARTILLERY.
The artillery arm Of the service shall
consist of seacoast and field artillery. The
seacoast artillery shall consist Of fourteen
regiments of twelve batteries each, and
the field artillery of two regiments
Of twelve batteries each. Each regi-
ment of seacoast artillery shall con-
sist Of l,2OO enlisted men, and each regi-
ment Of field artillery of Lose enlisted
men. with the necessary complement or
officers.
The President may, in his discretion,
convert such field batteries as may seem
to him to be necessary from time to time
into siege batteries, horse-artillery bate
res, or mountain batteries.
INFANTRY.
The infantry arm of the service shall
consist Of fifty regiments, OF three bat
talions of four companies each, each reg
imeut TO consist of 1900 enlisted men.
The infantry arm OF the service is 10
be organized on the basis Of two army
corps, of three divisions, Of three brigades,
OF three regiments. each
MANY GENERALS.
There shall be one general Of the army,
two ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, six major-gene-
rails of infantry. one maJor-general OF cav
airy. one ma general of artillery,
eighteen brigadier-generals OF infantry,
two brigadier- generals OF cavalry, and
two brigadier-gener of artillery, who
shall be entitled TO the personal aides-de-
varAp and the military secretaries now
prtvfded by law.
The major-generals and brigadler-gene-
rails of artillery and cavalry shall be as
signed to duty as chiefs and inspectors
OF artillery and cavalry, and TO such
commands as the President may direct.
ADJUTANT-GENER DEPT.
The adjutant-generaps department shall
consist of one Acknowledgement. with the
rank of major-general; two assistant ad-
Jutant-generals. with the rank OF briga-