Year: 1862

efect by aocOndary means, pro
pose which is tho health and happiness of the army


Resolved That looking only TO tho health and comfort
OF tho troops II is our profound conviction that any
special relaxation of military discipline in favor OF von
troops based other upon their supposed unwilling
inability 10 endure u. or upon the alleged expec-
taon OF tho public falacous policy, and fraught
national cause and that speaking in the name Of the
families and the communities fom which the volunteers
come and ia the name OF humanity and religion, we
mporo that tho most thorough system OF military disci
pine be carried out with tho officers and men Of the
volunteer force the first and essential condition or
their health, comfort and morality


Resolved, That the esh and comfort and efficiency
OF the men is mainly dependent on the uninterrupted
ry OF the regmental and company oicers and that all
the great defects whether the commissarat or IN the
police OF camps are radically due TO the absence or OIL
from their posts and TO ihe axty OF the discipline
to which they are themselves accustomed--a laxty
which would never be tolerated among regulars, and
which, while tolerated among our soldiers, will mako
force crowd Of armed men rather than an army
Resolved, That 1t is the public conviction Of this com
mission that the soldiers themselves ia their painful ex
perence Of the want of leaders and protectors would
heartily welcome rigid discipline ezerted over their
oncers ana themselves tnat the puoio qua mai, WIN
JOY the Inauguration of decisive prompt and rigid rule
extending alike to officers and men, AID that any de-
spondency doubt connected with our military and ma


onal prospects or with the health AMI security OF oar


troops would disappear with the first Indications Of rigid
order enforced with impartial authority throughout the
The Commission consider that the leading advantage
possessed by West Point officers is tho greater attention
to discipline





Tho remarks of tho Commission under this head are
nearly all devoted to exciting aud athletic exercises
While every other topic connected with the soldiers
health treated most ably and eaboratey think the
Commission have largely overlooked q most important
subject w will not attempt now to supply what we
consider the deficiency but certain that the man
who should invent and Introduce some rational popular
camp would be benefactor to the soldier,
and greatly promote his healtn enjoyment and ecency
Hould not 20 ,hapn uaf m
. reward Of $500 for tho best screaming farce or
"mitary burlesqus" to be played in camps-somethng
short apropos amusing and particularly adapted to the
present political situation Of the country II would


eve enui and be source OF great interest where the
& ~ N u anv srv q active
in pursuit Of the enemy; and next to that rational
amusements cleanliness and nutritious food
OF temperance and good clothing come in for
large share in an enumeration OF the friends OF the
soldier


The Commission speak Of the large religious element in
tho volunteer force and point with pride TO the fact
that each regiment sends homewards from three six
hundred lettcrs by mail every week.
REMITTANCEs OF PAY.
The volunteer soldiers have generally shown great
lberay and consideration in sending home their
pus earnings The commission think from half TO two
thirds Of their pay usually goes home and that proper
facilities and encouragement were given larger pro-
portion still might he remtted Government particu
ary requested to do this both to preveQt drunkenness
and spendthri habits in the soldier and 10 save the
danger Of great pauper class among destitute soldiers
| families.


PROPORTION OF SICK.


In army Of the Potomac the proportion OF sick ia
sixty every thousand mem in Western Virginia.
1852; and in the Valley of the Miss isspp 116 in a
thousand. The average number the sick list, both
East and West during the three months Of August Sep
tember and October, less than eight per cent
seventy seven thousand. In the British army
time OF peace is sixty i've and during the PENN
sular war il was 210 in thousand.


In the troops from the different States the following Is
the proportion In each thousand men,