The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-05
THE ARTICLES OF WAR.
obligations and Duties the Enlisted
Man Undertakes.

Kansas City Journal.
Every officer who enters the military serv-
ice of the United States must subscribe to
the articles of war, and every private upon
enlisting must first listen to the reading or
the articles and then take oath that ne VIII
support and obey them. These articles are
the acts of Congress governing the military
service of the Nation, and they become OF
peGn da 1h ed at 1he aw Which still
stands unrepealed, every male citizen be-
tween the ages of eighteen and forty-ive is
subject to military duty, but under the Ar
ticles of War certain limitations are placed
upon the enlistment of youths under tWen-
ty-one. as follows Every ofncer VINO
knowingly enlists or musters in any minor
over the age of sixteen years without the
written consent of his parents or guardian,
or any minor under the age OF sixteen or
any insane or intoxicated person, or any
deserter from the military or naval service
of the United States, or any person who mas
been convicted of felony, shall, upon con-
viction, be dismissed from the service or
suffer such other punishment as court
martial may direct.
1t thus appears that minor under the
age of sixteen cannot be enlisted, even with
the consent of his parents or guardian. I'm
der the militia law the services of a youth
it would seem to be forbidden to enlist him
until he reached the age of twenty-one I'M
less with his parents consent: IN hansas
and forty-five by the Constitution. and we
can find no authority for the enlistment or
those who are younger, particularly as the
United States statutes exempt from militia
duty all those who are so exempted by the
State laws.
When once in the service of the United
States, however, the mlitiaman becomes
subject solely to the articles of war, and 1t
may be interesting to sketch hastily few
of the duties and obligations falling upon
him. If he sells or wastes the ammunition
which is placed in his charge he becomes
subject to court-martial. and If through
neglect he spoils Injuries his clothing.
arms or accOutrements, he must suffer the
loss of half his pay until the injury is made
whole Any officer or private who shall
speak disrespectfully of the President. of
Congress, of his superior officer or of the
Governor or legislature of the State in which
he is CHARTERED is liable to court-martial
and punishment. Any officer or private
who, under any pretense whatever, strikes
his superior officer or draws or, lifts
weapon against him shall suffer death or
such other punishment as a court-martIal
may direct. Privates who use reproachful
or provoking language to each other are
also subject to court-martial, and any prl~
Vate who inciteS a mut1ny or rebellion
against his superior officers or their COM
mands shall suffer death. Any private who
without leave lies out of his quarters or is
away from his company, or fails to report
as commanded, or is caught more than
mile from his camp without leave IN writ
form his duty, is subject to court-martial,
and the private who goes to sleep while
doing sentry duty may be punished by
death if the court so determines. For drunk
enness the court may administer corporal
punishment, except that no court shall
Any officer or private who misbehaves
himself before the enemy, who runs away
or Shamefully abandonS any fort, post or
guard, which he is commanded to defend,
or who induces others to do so, may suffer
death. If he casts away his arms without
orders, or quits his duty and post to pillage
and plumber, a like punishment becomes his
portion If, for example. the commanding
officer of a fort should be compelled by his
own men to surrender to the enemy they
would become liable to the death penalty,
and the same fate awaits the soldier who
shall betray the countersigr. So. too, death
awaits the private or officer who deserts
and goes over to the enemy. or who fur
nshes the enemy with ammunition or sus-
tenance.
Here are couple of articles directed to-
ward the moral phase of soldier, life, the
latter, Of which was never, or seldom en-
forced during the late war:
'Fifty-two--It is earnestly commended to
all officers and soldiers diligently to attend
divine service. Any officer who behaves in
decently or irreverently at any place of di-
vine worship shall be brought before gen.
eral court-martial, there TO be publicly reprl-
manded by the president thereof. Any SOL
der who so offends shall. for his first Of
Tense, forfeit one-sixth of dollar; for each
subsequent offense he shall forfeit like
sum and in addition be confined twenty
four hours. The money so forfeited shall be
applied 70 the use of sick soldiers in his
s'F'ifty-three-Any officer who uses any
profane oath or execration shall. for each
offense, forfeit and pay 81. And soldier who
so offends shall incur the penalties provided
in the preceding section"
Court-martals are allowed wide lati-
tude. In cases of crime against property
or person, such robbery, assault, muir
der, etc. the court is required to attach
the penalty fixed by the State for the
same offense. that IS, the State in which
the crime is committed. For offense against
the articles of war the court may its
own discretion. there being no fixed pun
ishmerts. However. the sentence of death
CO mot be executed unless tWo-thirds of
the court have voted for IT, and not then
until the President has approved of 1t, ex-
cept in cases of persons convicted in time
of war as spies, deserters. mutineers or
murdcrers, when the approval may be
made by the commanding officer of the
department or in the field.
II must be remembered that while the
articles of war are devoted mainly to tell
ing how the private soldier must conduct
himself ample provision has been made to
protect him from oppression IN the part
of his commanding officers He has the
right OF complaint to the authorities on the