Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-20
MUST DO THEIR DUTY
GEN. CHAFFEE'S ORDERS TO OF
FICERs OF POSTS.
Criticism Of Conditions in Department
Of the East-Increased En-
fciency Required.

Regimental, post and company command
ers in the Department of the East, which IN
cludes all posts in this vicinity, have been
notified by Gen. Chaffee, the department
commander that they will be held to a
strict accountability for the execution OF
their full duties. General Chaffee has just
promulgated general order embodying
general and special instructions looking to
increased efficiency in the department. In
this order Gen. Chaffee criticises existing
conditions, in part, as follows:
THE department commander has OBJ
served during a recent inspection of many
of the posts in the department that COM
pany administration is lax (for which post
commanders are, in a measure, responsibility,
through failure to enforce careful attention
to the important details thereof by COM
pany officers.
Dirty and disorderly barracks, ceilings
hlackened by lamp smoke. walls dtsfigured
and plaster broken by soldiers feet and the
careless handling of furniture, excessive
quantities and many unnecessary articles
of clothing in the possession of men, gen.
erai absence of any system in folding and
packing bedding and clothing and similar
neglects evidence inattention to company
administration, with resultant conditions
much inferior to what they should be. 1t
is the duty of company officers to carefully
examine the condition and quantity of cloth
ing in the possession Of a soldier before adj
ditional articles are issued to him."
Practice in Athletics.
The order provides among other things.
that an officer shall be designated at each
post whose duty 1t shall be to superintend
the systematic practice of the troops in
calisthenic. athletic and gymnatic exercises
and also to initiate and manage games and
contests in foot ball, base ball, Quots, ten
mis-. golf, polo, etc. for which the utmost
latitude and independence of action con-
sistent with the spirit of the army regula-
lions will be accorded.
When weather and other conditions are
suitable there will be daily dress parade
Saturdays and Sundays excepted) which
will be reviewed by the commanding foff1-
Ger.
All military exercises under arms and of
the artillery at their guns will Except dur
Ing the hottest season south of latitude 30
degrees north) be concluded at pm. daily.
With the exception Of the target-practice
season the drill period will embrace the
entire year. Weather permitting, not less
than one hour each day Saturdays and
Sundays excepted) will be devoted to out
door instruction in the drill regulations;
and when the weather is too inclement for
these drills suitable military exercises will
be held indoors.
1t is incumbent on post commanders to
assure themselves that officers and men are
thoroughly trained in the respective arms
and that suitable detachmentS are drilled
In the manual of machine guns and other
artillery on hand at their respective posts;
ALSO that all enlisted men are instructed
in the duties Of litter bearers and the meth
DDS of rendering first aid to the sick and
wounded.
Practice Marches.
During the drill season the troops Of each
post will make a practice march under the
personal direction of the post commander.
These marches will be so conducted as to
exemplify, as far as practicable, actual
service conditions in campaign, special at
tention being given to loading and unload
ing wagons or other transportation, map
reading and orientation. making and break
Ing shelter-tent camp and the practical use
Of the mess kit; but no expense for fuel,
forage or camp grounds will be incurred
without authority from these headquarters.
Advantage will be taken of the opportu-
mites afforded on these marches to prac-
ttcally test the efficiency of the command
In signaling, the results to be embodied in
the reports of the practice marches.
Every command equipped for the field will
devote at least forty days mot necessarily
consecutive) in each calendar year to ''prac-
teal exercises in minor tactics, covering
problems adapted to or more arms of
the service. and to the station and sur
rounding country"
During the active drill season two and
one,half hours will be allotted daily to
artillery instruction. and during the rest Of
the year two hours daily.
Companies will be marched daily during
the active drill season (weather permitting
and Sundays excepted) to the guns, and
under the supervision Of a commissioned
officer, will clean and place in order all the
material connected with the guns, position
finders, magazines, communications, ETC.,
and police the emplacement.
Theoretical and Practical Instruction.
When the weather is too Indictment for
outdoor work. theoretical, and, as far as
possible, practical artillery instruction will
be given under cover during the prescribed
hours for the season.
Systematic instruction in submarine min
ing will be given in artillery districts and
at artillery posts for at least one month
annually.
The works will be manned at night for
the operations laid down in Drill Regula-
lions for Coast Artillery under the head of
Might Practice"
The command will be exercised in fire
direction and fire control at least once
each week. and all details Of this drill will
be carried out thoroughly as the equip
ment at hand will permit. This exercise
may take the place of one of the regular
drills.
The commanding officer of the post will
be responsible that all proper precautions
are taken to avoid accidents and insure
safety to passing vessels.