The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-01
M~USTERENG-IN DETAILS
ELABORATE INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED
EXPLAINING THE SYSTEM.
Oath to BE Administered-Omcers
Must Purchase the Cavalry Horses
aud Equipage-Other Duties.

The secretary Of war to the mastering off,
GERS Of volunteers. They contain interesting
details of the method in which enlistments
in the volunteer army will be made at IN
dianapolis and other points of rendezvous:
Only officers OF the regular army Except
IN case Of necessity will be detailed to
muster troops into and out of the service
of the United States, and no officer viii
make such musters unless detailed for that
duty by the War Department.
An officer who is appointed to make a
muster of any force into the service of
the United States on arriving at the place
designated in his instructions viii, If the
name Of the commander and captains be
not given in his order, obtain the informa-
tfon from the proper authority, generally
from the executive of the State. And he
must be satisfied that the whole number
OF companies for the designated command
are present or on their way there with
organization complete, unless otherwise d.
rected, before he commences the muster.
The organization Of regiments. battal-
ions and companies Of volunteers or militia
will be as authorized by law or by regula-
tons made by the War Department, of
which the mastering officer and all con-
cerned will be duly advised by the adju-
tant general of the army. Field and staff
officers of regiments may be mustered into
service upon completion of the organiza-
ton Of regiments or companies as follows:
sCavalry-colonel and chaplain-when the
entire regiment is organized.
Lieutenant Colonel-When six troops are
organized.
Majors-One for every four troops.
Artillery-ColOnel and chaplain-when an
entire regiment is organized.
Lieutenant Colonel-When six batteries
are organized.
Majors-One for every four batteries.
lnfantry-Colonel and chaplain-when an
entire regiment is organized.
Lieutenant Colonel-When six companies
MaJor-When four companies are organ
fed.
Engineers-Colonel and chaplain-when an
entire regiment is organized.
Lieutenant Colonel-When six companies
Majors-One for every four companies.
When volunteers are to be mustered into
the service of the United States they will
be infinitely by a medical officer
OF the army detailed for that purpose, when
practicable, to ascertain whether they have
the physical qualifications necessary for
the military service. Medical officers be-
fore being mustered into the service of the
United States will be required to pass a
satisfactory examination as to. character
and professional ability before a board of
army or civilian surgeons, or both, desig-
mated by the surgeon general or the army.
If there be no medical officers, duly APP
pointed, present, the mastering officer, on
consultation with the regimental command
er, will select and engage the services of
one or more physicians having diplomas
Charter TO ASSIST him in inspeoting the OFF,
GERS and men to be mustered and to attend
upon and the troops on their
pointed. They will be borne on the muster
roll of field and staff as acting surgeon and
acting first surgeon mot embraced in re-
capitulation), with dates and place of com
mencement of service, and, in the column
of remarks, say, engaged at Baltimore, July
%, by mastering officer, with approval of
the regimental commander, to serve as act
ing surgeon Tor acting assistant surgeon)
1n the regiment temporarily and provision
ally mustered at the rate of pay and allow
ances of that grade while serving and for
mileage from place. of discharge to his
home, or the place of general rendezvous.
EXCEPTIONS AS TO AGE.
Volunteers and militia are not to be less
than eighteen nor more than forty-ive years
of age. Some exceptions may be adj
missable. for over age, in commissioned
officers who are otherwise well qualified,
but In this the mastering officer must ex-
ercise q sound and rigid judgment.
The men having been accepted by the
surgeons, the company will be formed and
faced to the right. The mastering officer,
accompanied by the surgeon, after inspect
ing and accepting the captain and lieuten-
ents, will place himself about a dozen PAGES
from and nearly in front of the first SER
geant. with the captain near him on his
right, TO call the names. Inc second lieu
tenant will place himself by the left of the
first sergeant with directions to keep the
x~ight-now front file of the company (not
called closed up to his front, and to see
that each man, when his name is called,
personally answers here In a tone to lee
heard distinctly by the mastering officer:
AT the instant of answering the men will
step off briskly to and in front of the mus
tering officer and pass on to join the first
4be sama orIIer a h before see tbat he rear
rank men cover those in front and intervals
preserved between the grades SO that the
number in each may be easily distinguished
and counted.
The mastering officer will be careful that
men from one company or detachment are
not borrowed for the occasion to swell the
ranks of others about to be mustered in. To
this end he will, at the conclusion of the
muster-ln or eacn battalion or reglment
whether mustered in by companies or noO,
cause the entire force TO be paraded for
inspection: and in case any deception or
fraud is discovered to have been practiced,
ne will Immediately report the fact to the
adjutant general that the guilty parties may
be dismissed the service. No volunteer will
be mustered into the service who is unable
60 speak the English language.
If the company be a mounted organiza-
ton the men will be on horseback in one
rank and the mastering officer will require
them to move out of the rank for inspec-
ton. The horses will also be examined for
soundneSs and adaptability for service. No
horse under five nor over nine years old
should be received. In addition to the usual
examination of officers and men a test of
~AAAk AAAk4N ~ AsA10 AAA4AA AAA& III
Tection of the mastering officer, and no
person shall be mustered into the mounted
service who does not exhibit good horse
manship and a practical knowledge of the
ordinary care and treatment of horses.
Much Will depend on the efficiency of the
animals, and If the mastering officer is not
q good judge of horses in the qualities
mentioned he must obtain the services of
SOME reliable, disinterested person who is.
The horse equipments will consist of A
saddle, saddle blanket, bride with curb bit
and the rope or halter, all strong, well fit
ting and in excellent condition, but no
equipment will be accepted unless of pat
tern adopted for use in the United States
army for like purposes. Valuation of
equipments shall not exceed the United
States ordnance price for the same and the
valuation of horses shall not exceed the
government contract for animals for like
uss and purposes.
PURCHASE OF HORSES.
The mastering officer and captains of
companies will select three impartial men
OF good standing who are judges of the
value of horses. and not members of any
company. nor owning or having interest in
any horses therein, to appraise the horse
and horse equipments. The valuation will
be the fair cash price at the place and
time-what the judges would be willing TO
give were they purchasing for themselves.
And the assessed value for horses and