Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-07-04
VOLUNTEERS ARE
MUSTERED OUT.
The ORGANIZATION Of $4,000 Men And
OfdCerS is DiSbanded.
GENERAL SHAPTER RETIRED.
He Goes Ont of Active Service as a Major
General-Many Officers Take Com
missions in The Regular
Army.

Washington, July To-day the last of
the magnificent volunteer army of the
United States was mustered out of service
and the majority of the $4,000 men and
officers of that organization have returned
to civil life. The President and the War
Department officials are much gratifed
with the successful disbandment of this
army within the time fixed BY law. Only
those who knew the limitations and diff
cuties of the transport service can appre-
ciate the magnitude of the task of bringing
this army home across 10000 miles of
ocean. since the passage of the army re-
organization act, little less than four
months ago.
At the War Department there is moth
ing but praise for this splendid body of
men, and it is a matter of congratulatiOn
to Secretary Root and his associates that
so many of the experienced volunteer
officers have entered permanently into the
military service of the county by taking
commissions in tie regular army. 1t is
believed that at least IS per cent. of the
Young volunteer officers who have taken
examinations for second lieutenances in
the regular army will pass. 1t is also a
matter of congratulation that the ranks of
the regular army have received so many
recruits from the volunteer veterans.
As expressed by an official of the War
Department today IN commenting on tie
passing of the volunteer army, the country
can well feel proud of the record this Or
ganzation has made. 1t is just about two
years since the first recruits were enlisted
in this army and the months that ensued
were filled with exciting scenes that tried
the new soldiers to the utmost, but there
is no record of cowardice to show against
even a corporal's guard of the volunteers.
The volunteer army was begun under
Secretary Ager, who resigned July 10,
1899 and completed under Secretary Root,
who took office July 81. The President
received the commentator Of the regular
army and of the whole country as well by
ignoring political considerations.and select
ing the field officers of those regiments, the
colonies, lieutenant colonies aud majors
from the commissioned officers of the reg
ular army. There were very few ex-
ceptions to this rule. they being volunteer
officers, who had signaly distinguished
themselves in the Spanish War. The efli'
cheney of the new volunteer army was fur
ther assured by the selection of company
officers flom those who had participated
in the Spanish War.
AS rapidly as they were recruited the
volunteer regiments were sent to the Phil
ippines, the first regiment reaching Manila
on October IL, 1899, and The last on jan
uary 90, 1900. Their efficiency dispeed
the fears of a long and bloody war aud
the condition in which they reached this
country has effectually slenced the tales
of horrid diseases decimating,the army's
ranks and destroying the health Of the
soldier. The records Of the medical
branch of the army show the soldiers
-when mustered out at San Francisco to
have been in better health than when
they enlisted to 20 to the Philippines.
For the most part they have returned to
their homes stronger and better men than
when they left.
Probably the most conspicuous volun'
teer officer who was today discharged was
Major General Shafter. He has been a
major general of volunteers since May a.,
1898, at the breaking out of the Spanish
War, and now goes OH the retired list OF
the regular army as major general. Major
General Wood loses his place by the dis
bandment of the volunteer forces, but Will
continue as Governor General of Cuba,
with the rank of brigadier general in the
regular service.