Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-08
CORB|N ON THE ARMY
,xsuAL REPORT OF THE coUS-
rRYys ADJurANr-GENERAL.
EARLY MARRIAGE OF OFFICERS
VT 70 Greatly to Be pep1ored and
Should Be Observation-Disclosures
don of cantcea urEed-1n.truc-
.ion Of Soldiers In Vocal Music Re-
commended.
EARLY MARRIAGE OF OFFICERS
commended.

WASHINGTON, November THE an
lual report Of Major-General Henry A.
-orbin, acknowledgement of the army.
thows that there were IS officers killed in
action or died OF wounds and disease Il
resigned, and 6S retired during the war
3f the enlisted men. 1.2c7 were killed. or
iied Of wounds or disease, 35,SoS were dis
charged on expiration Of service. 5,eS
were discharged for disability, or dismiss
ed by order Of court-martiai. 1867 DESERT
ed. two were missing. and 93 retired
General Corbin. in calling attention TO
ais former recommendation that the rank
and pay of military attaches ABROAD
should be increased, suggest that retired
,ticers Of high rank might be selected for
this service. While the number OF at
taches have been decreased, the service
has improved because Of the reciprocal
relations that have been established with
the War Departments of the several gov
ernments where officers are stationed. he
cites the case in which the military at
tache at Paris secured models Of the Le-
bel rife and the French saddle from the
French government
FALL MANOEUVRES.
In reviewing the reports Of the officers
who participated in the army and navy
me noeuvres last September. General Cor
bin says that much valuable information
was acquired. He continues:
"The manoeuvrcs proved that the rank
and file of our army can be depended upon
in every emergency: that apparently i'm
possible tasks cun be accomplished under
the spur Of duty, and that there is an
immea surable gulf between practice and
theory. The lessons learned by both OIL
GERS and men wel of more practical value
than years Of ordinary garrison foutiHe
ind instruction"
I> Sfrnnclv recommends that similar
exercises be conducted annually and made
TO embrace each year new theatre OF
operations. so that the benefit may be
shared by the different garrisons i'll the
several fields Of defence
NATIONAL GURD ARMS.
The adjutant- general has observed the
number and kinds of arms in the hands
ri the National Guards in the scTcra!
States. and finds less that 1900 United
States magazine rifles in their possession.
OF the multitude Of other types. he says:
This heterogeneous collection of obsolete
arms is very serious detriment to the
efficiency Of the National Guard, which ID
drill assinilates closely to the regular
army, and under this depiorable cor dition
vexatious delays are experienced In pro-
viting the different kinds Of ammunition
required and in urgent or unforeseen con
tingencies may lead TO disastrous results.
General Corbin recommends legislation
providing that Ma Generals Merritt,
Brooke, and Otis, now on the retired list,
be given the rank of Acknowledgement.
EARLY MARRIAGES.
He has the following TO say concerning
early marriages:
The early marriage of the younger off,
GERS of the army, many OF whom are en-
tirely dependent upon their pay and al
lowances for support is greatly TO pc oe-
plored, and should be discouraged a
young officer should havebut one4allegiance
and that should be to the service. Those
without private means must necessarily
divide their nay between the demands of
their Office and their family. A consider
able number arc required for service IN
the Philippines. where living is expensive
aul .le accomplishm of this tour OF
duty results in an actual hardSMp 10
officers with families
General Corbin has the following to say
regarding the canteen: The restoration
of the exchange as it existed prior to tne
passage Of the act of February :. l9oi.
prohibiting the sale of beer. is desired
and urged by the great majority OF OIL
GERS and men, and by none more than
those of pronounced temperance views.
Numerous reports confirm the views held
by :h;s Office that the old exchange con-
1ributed to the sobriety, health and con-
tentment Of the men. The increase OF de-
::ertions ana of trials for attractions OF
discipline is by those best Informed at
tributed TO ..le abolition of the former
privileges Of the exchange.
VOCAL MUSIC.
In conclusion he says: The instruction
of our men in vocal music would be a step
in the direction of contentnent and better
discipline Every regiment should have
its marching song. Frequent practice IN
singing, particularly during the long Win
Ter evenings, would do much to make our
men satisfied TO remain in quarters, ana
away from the baleful influence OF the
bar rooms that exist in too great numbers
in the vicinity OF all our military posts.
These bar rooms are under the proteccon
of the licenses and laws OF the seEeral
States, and are beyond the control OF the
military authority.