Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-11-17
coRBIN ON THE ARMY.
Tho Adjutant General. In His Annual Ro-
port, Furnishes Interesting statIatlca q
and Makes Valuable Suggestions.

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Washington, Nov. 12.-Adit. Gen. II.
O. Corbin has made his annual report
to the secretary of war II contains
much OF statistical nature about the
army of the United States, including
the regular and volunteer branches.
lie. shows that, at the breaking out of
the war, the regular army consisted
OF ALAS officers and 5000 enlisted
men. He refers to the legislation for
increasing the strength of the regular
army; also to proposed legislation sub
mitted to the last congress, but which
was not enacted. Under the war leg
islation the regular army was in
creased until it amounted to 2 339 otli-
GERS and So, 1865 enlisted men, which i'm
cluded $685. men of the hospital corps.
Regular army officers to the number
of 3s7 were nominated and confirmed
in different grades of the volunteer
army.
Discussing the volunteer army, Gen.
Corbin shows the legislation regard
ing 1t and gives in detail the different
organizations called out from the vari-
GUS states and territories. The
strength of the volunteer army at its
highest point, which was during the
month of August, was s, 7s5 officers and
207,244 enlisted men. The aggregate
strength of the regular and volunteer
armies was II, los officers and 263, 600
enlisted men.
Gen, Corbin says that the "suspen-
sion of hostilities, resulting from the
short but brilliant operations of the
army against Santiago; the surrender
of the Spanish troops in Porto Rico,
no less than the successful operations
OF our troops in the Philippines" led
to the determination to muster out
100000 volunteers, He gives the de-
tails of the campaign, which have been
published, and adds:
Since the signing OF the protocol, the officers
and m N Of the volunteer regiments have re-
malned at their posts Of duty, In most cases ut
great personal sacrifice. That they have done
this cheerfully and without complaint makes IL
all the more desirable that spec ly increase
OF the regular army DO provided for In order
Their service and be allowed to return to their
peaceful vacations.
The number killed and wounded in
all campaigns is as follows: Officers
killed, 23; enlisted men killed, 957; Off
GERS wounded, 113; enlisted men wound
cd, AGA. The total deaths from wounds
and disease mp to October l were lO7
officers and 9,SOS enlisted men.
Gen. Corbin has the following to say
concerning the increase of the regular
army:
The organization Of the cavalry, artillery
and infantry regiments has stood the test of
trial In battle and received the approval OF
those in command so that the increase of the
line OF the army, demanded by our new possess
sions, should be by the addition Of the neces-
sary number OF regiments organized rs are
those now In service Toe number of officers
should be increased by one FIRST lieutenant to
each troop, battery and company This would
enable the department TO meet the demands
as to various details required by law, cnd
then leave the troops with the necessary
plumber for their proper discipline and instruc-
lion, ana In war allow the appointment OF Suf-
hcient generals and general staff officers, Vita
out destroying the efficiency of the army, us
threatened by the recent experience Of the de-
pertinent The number OF trained officers as
herein provided for Mt the beginning of the
present war would have saved lives and treas
ure, to say nothing Of the increased effi ercy
OF the service AT the beginning OF the pres
ent war some 400 officers were appointed to
the statT and volunteer regiments. With these, |
and for aides to the generals and other duty
absolutely required for the conduct Of the war, |
were sent to battle with scarcely more than
one officer TO the company 1t is difficult now, |
with the sick and wounded officers, for the de- |
partment to get one officer to the company. and |
too frequently there have been two companies
with but one officer The increase proposed |
would in no way give greater number OF offs
GERS than required, BY the date fixed for the |
assembling of congress, the department will, |
under your direction, be prepared to submit |
bill providing for the increas, OF the army,
Gen. Corbin recommends that the
men of the national guard who en-
tered the volunteer army be allowed |
to return and be readmitted to their
state organizations.
Gen. Corbin also recommends that
the pay of non-commissioned officers
be increased, and that there be re-
of army bands which will
secure the better class of musicians.