The times., 1898-06-30
THE INSPECTION SERVICE.
Orders by Gen. Miles for the Prep
arntion of Armies In the Field.

Adjt. Gen. Corbin has by direction OF
Maj. Gen. Miles issued an interesting cir
cular relative to the inspection service OF
armies in the field.
The circular states that inspecting officers. Sc
lected when practicable from the inspectors gen.
erai Of the regular volunteer Army. will be
assigned by the War Department to the head
quarters Of geographical departments, armies and
army corps, in the field, and by commanding
generals TO divisions.
Continuing the circular says In part:
In the absence of such assignment. and to I'LL
temporary vacancies, commanding generals NAV
detail officers from their commands for such
duty. Industrious attention must he given by
the inspector TO the study of the regulations and
laws for the government Of the army, the sys
TENS OF instruction, and the general principles
of the military profession The sphere of in
quiTy OF an inspector includes every branch Of
military aaairs-
An inspector general will make known his
orders to commanding officers, whose troops he
is directed to inspect, and these officers VIII
see that every facility and assistance. including
clerical aid and the use OF an orderly are pro-
Yided il requested.
II ordered TO investigate accusations preiudicixl
10 the character OF officer, viii
known their nature 10 the officer and give him
an opportunity 10 make his statement in
writing, which he will append TO his report.
Harmony well justice TO the individual and
the public require that such reports be main
tained inviolably confidential and that they
should not OF themselves be made rIe basis OF
official proceedings. In the investigation of mia
conduct or attempt TO defraud the Government
on the part of any officer agent OF the United
States, the inspector is authorized to administer
oaths 10 witnesses Inspection reports of troops,
OF disbursements. money accounts, and unservice-
able property viii be rendered on the prescribed
forms and will be submitted to the officer oTt-r
ing the inspection.
An inspector general will not give orders un-
less specially authorized TO do so. and then only
in the name of the superior giving such author
ity- He will report with strict impartiality all
Irregularities coming under his notice. well
the remedies applied to correct them, and viii
refrain from informal conversation or comment
upon subjects Of inspection or investigation.
Inspectors will make written memoranda
the spot OF every defect. rreguaritS. or neg
lect, observed during their inspections; also any
particular excellence which may strike their at
tention.
All officers and enlisted men. except the guard.
the sick. and one cook per company, gll be pres.
ent At inspection under arms
The inspector viii report cficers OF enlisted
men in excess OF the prescribed organizationsi
absentees will be ACCOUNTED for and the precise
status OF all officers stated; he viii report upon
the military bearing and appearance Of the troops
and their discipline; whether regularly muster
ed and paid and the date OF last payment;
whether parades, guHrd-mounting, and roll calls
are in proper form; whether company. battal-
ion, and reyimental Inspections are frequently
and regularly made. and by whom the condition
OF the arms, accounterments, ned equipments
and uniforms; the gun carriages, implements
equipments Of batteries; OF riding equipments
and harness. and whether well fitted; OF horses
whether well treated shod gndacrcdfr: whetler
troops fully equipped for field service, and
blanket bags uniformly and properly packed; the
police of tents, grounds. kitchens and sinks
whether camps are well located, properly drain
ed, and thoroughly pOlced; the condition of the
water supply; the composition and instruction of
camp guards. and number OF prisoners; whether
the troops proficient in the different drills
advance guard, and outpost; ia target practice
signaling, pitching shelter tents. first aid To the
injured, and whether every ctticer and enlisted
man has a first aid packet: whether the required
books, records and reports kept and render
ed, and company and all public funds legitimate
" expended and accounted for; whether the trans
pOrtation, including ambulances, stretchers, and
travois, the quarteTmasteF's. Commissary's medi-
good condition; the police and capacity Of the
hospital; number of sick and wounded, and
Shcther tIey receive proper attention; the pre-
valenee of epidemic other dsases; whether
all officers Jealous and intelligent, reporting
any who are addicted to intemperate and gamb-
ling, who frequent low company, or are in
capacitated in any way for active service.
In the inspection of heavy artillery the in
spcctor will report whether the batteries are
assigned to guns; whether the guns, carriages.
appliances, ammunition, platforms, magazines,
parapets, etc, preserved in good order;
whether magazines frequently aired and the
means prescribed for locating objects and the
control of the fire in good working order.
In the inspection Of cavalry, the inspector will
classify cavalry horses thus:
These to be condemned as unfit for any use
These unfit for cavalry service, but ft for team
or draught horses
These unfit for service, but susceptible Of re-
cupe-ation.
Serviceable horses.
The inspector will test the infantry and cavalry
in making an attack, over distance of at least
1000 10 1,500 yards against enemy, either
indicated represented
In the inspection Of field batteries they should