the war formation of the army ought to be in the increased magnitude of the latter; and the only change in passing from the former to the latter, should consist in giving to it the augmentation which will then be necessary. It is thus, and thus only, the dangerous transition from peace to war may be made without confusion or disorder; and the weakness and danger, which otherwise would be inevitable, be avoided. Two consequences result from this principle. First, the organization of the staff in a peace establanment ought to be such, that every branch of it should be completely formed, with such extension as the number of troops and posts occupied may render necessary; and, secondly, that the organi zation of the line ought, as far as practicable, to be such, that, in passing from the peace to the war for mation, the force may be sufficiently augmented, without adding new regiments or battalions; thus raising the war on the basis of the peace establishment, instead of creating a new army to be added to the old, as at the commencement of the late war. The next principle to be observed, is, that the organization ought to be such as to induce, in time of peace, citizens of adequate talents and respectabili ty of character to enter and remain in the military service of the country, so that the government may have officers at its command, who, to the requisite experience, would add the public confidence. The correctness of this principle can scarcely be doubt. ed, for, surely, if it is worth having an army at all, it is worth having it well commanded. regular and undisciplined troops, to meet with suc- difference, consequently, between the peace and cess those that were regularly trained. Genius without much experience may command, but it cannot go much further. It cannot at once or ganize and discipline an army, and give it that military tone, and habit, which only, in the midst of imminent danger, can enable it to perform the most complex evolutions with precision and promptitude. Those qualities, which essentially distinguish an arniy from an equal assemblage of untrained individuals, can only be acquired by the instruction of experienced officers. If they, particularly the company and regimental officers, are inexperienced, the army must remain undisciplined, in which case, the genius, and even the experience, of the commander, will be of little avail. The great and leading objects, then, of a military establishment in peace, ought to be to create and perpetuate military skill and experience; so that, at all times, the country may have at its command a body of officers, sufficiently numerous, and well instructed in every branch of duty, both of the line And staff and the organization of the army ought to be such, as to enable the government, at the .commencement of hostilities, to obtain a regular force, adequate to the emergencies of the country, properly orgamzed and prepared for actual service. It is thus only, that we can be in the condition to meet the first shocks of hostilitics with unyielding firmness; and to press on an enemy, while our resources are yet unexhausted. But if, on the other hand, disregarding the sound dictates of reason and experience, we should in peace neglect our military establishment, we must, with a These are the general principles upon which i powerful and skilful enemy, be exposed to the most propose to form the organization of the army, as distressing calamities. Not all the zeal, courage, proposed to be reduced under the resolution. By and patriotism of our militia, unsupported by re-reference to tables A and B, which contain the gulaily trained and disciplined troops, can avert proposed and present organizations, it will be seen them. Without such troops, the two or three first that the principal difference between them is in the campaigns would be worse than lost. The honor reduction of the rank and file. The present or of our arms would be tarnished, and the resources ganization of the staff, with its branches, is retainof the country uselessly lavished; for, in proportioned, with slight alterations. The principal changes to the want of efficiency, and a proper organiza-in it are, in that of the commissary general of purtion, must, in actual service, be our military ex-chases, and the judge advocates, by which it is inpenditures. When taught by sad experience, we tended that they should conform more exactly to would be compelled to make redoubled efforts, the principles on which the other branches are with exhausted means, to regain those very advan- now formed. It is believed that the true principle tages which were lost for the want of experience of its organization is, that every distinct branch of and skill. In addition to the immense expenditure the staff should terminate in a chief, to be stationwhich would then be necessary, exceeding, mani-ed, at least in peace, near the seat of government, fold, what would have been sufficient to put our and to be made responsible for its condition. It is peace establishment onļa respectable footing, a cri- thus that the government may at all times obtain sis would be thus brought on of the most dangerous correct knowledge of the condition of the army character. If our liberty should ever be endan-in every particular, and be enabled to introduce gered by the military power gaining the ascendan- method, order, and economy, in its disbursements. cy, it will be from the necessity of making those It is, at present, with slight exceptions, thus ormighty and irregular efforts to retrieve our affairs, ganized, and the beneficial effects of it have been after a series of disasters, caused by the want of strikingly exemplified by experience. Since the adequate military knowledge; just as, in our phy-passage of the act of the 14th of April, 1818, which sical system, a state of the most dangerous excite. gave the present organization to the staff, the exment and paroxism follows that of the greatest de- pense of the army has been greatly reduced, while, bility and prostration. To avoid these dangerous at the same time,the various articles supplied, have consequences, and to prepare the country to meet a state of war, particularly at its commencement, with honor and safety, much must depend on the orgamzation of our military peace establishment, and I have, accordingly, in the plan about to be proposed, for the reduction of the army, directed my attention Kainly to that point; believing it to be of the greatest importance, been improved in quality, and the punctuality with which they have been issued; and while the movements of the army have, at least for the present, been rendered more expensive by occupying the distant frontier posts at the mouth of the St. Peter's and at the Council Bluffs. By a statement from the adjutant and inspector general, and the books of the second auditor, marked C, containing the army To give such an organization the leading prin- disbursements from 1818 to 1820 inclusive, it ap ciples in its formation ought to be, that, at the pears that the expense of the army in 1818, the commencement of hostilities, there should be no-year in which the present organization commencthing either to new model or to create. The only led, amounted to three millions seven hundred and duty, the saving in war (not to insist on an increas ed energy and success in our military movements) would be of incalculable advantage to the country. The number of deputies and assistants in each branch ought to be regulated by the exigency of the service, and this must obviously depend much more on the number of posis, than on the number of troops; and as no material change can, consis posts, under the proposed reduction, little diminution can be made in the number of subordinate officers belonging to the staff. forty-eight thousand four hundred and forty-five dollars and one cent, while the amount of warrants issued for current disbursements to the first of No. vember this year, has amounted only to two millions six hundred and sixteen thousand five hundred and twenty-six dollars and eleven cents, and the disbursements of the whole year, will, probably, not exceed two millions seven hundred thousand dollars. In the year 1818, the aggregate average num-tently with the public interest, be made as to the berof the military establishment, including the ca. dets, amounted to eight thousand one hundred and ninety-nine, and that of this year to nine thousand six hundred and eleven. It is admitted that, during It is also proposed to retain the two major and the same period, a considerable reduction has taken four brigadier generals. Although it is not proba place in many of the articles which constitute the ble that there will be concentrated,in time of peace, supplies of the army, the effect of which has been at any one point, a force equal to the comand of a to reduce its expense; but, on examination, it will single major, or even a brigadier general, yet it is appear that the diminution on this account is much conceived that it is important to the service that less than what on the first impression might be sup- they should be retained. As two regiments, with posed. Many of the more considerable items, which a proper proportion of artillery and light troops, constitute the expenses of the army, are fixed by constitute, in our service, one brigade, and two bri. law, and do not fluctuate with the change of prices, gades a division, the command of a major general, such as the pay of the officers and men, the sub. the number of regiments and battalions, under the sistence of the former, and the allowance to them proposed organization, thus gives a command equal for servants, forage, transportation of baggage, &c. to that of two major and four brigadier generals. All of the items estimated for, by the paymaster But a more weighty, and, in my opinion, decisive general, excepting clothing for servants, which is reason why they should be retained, may be found of small amount, partake of this character; to which, in the principle already stated, that the organiza if we add these in the quartermaster general's esti- tion of the peace establishment ought to be such as mates, which, although the price of some of them to induce persons of talent and respectability to have in the period under consideration been reduc-enter and continue in the military service. To give ed, yet that has been at least balanced in the in- to the officers of the army the necessary skill and creased expenditure of that department for the acquirements, the military academy is an invalua two last years, by the extension and increased num-ble part of our establishment; but that alone will ber of the military posts; it will result, that the be inadequate. For this purpose, respectability of. reduction in the expense of the army by the dimi-rank and compensation must be given to the offibution of prices is substantially confined to the cers of the army, in due proportion to the other clothing, medical, and subsistence departments. pursuits of life. Every prudent individual, in seSome pains have been taken to ascertain this dimi- lecting his course of life, must be governed, mak nution in the various articles supplied by them, and ing some allowance for natural disposition, essenit has resulted in the belief, that the average of tially by the reward which attends the various purthose supplied by the clothing and medical depart-suits open to him. Under our free institutions, evements were, in the year 1818, about seven per cent. ry one is left free to make his selection; and most higher than in this, and in the subsistence about of the pursuits of life, followed with industry and forty cent. With this data, it is ascertained, (see skill, lead to opulence and respectability The table D,) that the expense of the army this year, profession of arms, in the well established state of A no diminution in price since 1818 taken place, things which exist among us, has no reward but would have amounted, deducting for the difference what is attached to it by law; and if that should be of the average number of two years, and allowing inferior to other professions, it would be idle to for the expenditure of the Seminole war in 1818, suppose individuals, possessed of the necessary tato about two millions seven hundred and ninety-one lents and character, would be induced to enter it. thousand and thirty-eight dollars and fifty five A mere sense of duty ought not, and cannot, be cents. This sum, deducted from three millions safely relied on. It supposes that individuals would seven hundred and forty-eight thousand four hun-be actuated by a stronger sense of duty towards dred and forty-five dollars and one cent, the ex- the government than the latter towards them.. pense of the army in 1818, gives for the actual If we may judge from experience, it would seem saving, after allowing for the diminution of prices, the sum of nine hundred and fifty-seven thousans! three hundred and fifty-six dollars and forty-six cents, (see table D,) which has been effected through the organization of the present staff, by enabling the department to superintend, in its minute details, as well the various disbursements of the army as the measures taken to prevent the waste of public property. The amount of saving may appear to be very great, but it is confidently believed that it cannot be materially reduced by any just mode of calculation of which the subject is susceptible. As great as this result is, it is only in war that the benefits of a proper organization of the staff can be fully realized. With a complete organiza. tion, and experienced officers, trained in time of peace to an exact and punctual discharge of their that the army, even with these important commands, which, from their rank and compensation, must operate strongly on those who have a military inclination, does not present inducements to remain in it stronger than, nor even as strong sthose of most of the other respectable pursuits of life. The number of resignations has been very great, of which many are among the most valuable offcers. Should the number of generals be reduced, the motive for entering or continuing in service must also be greatly reduced; for, like the high, prizes in a lottery, though they can be obtained by a few only, yet they operate on all those who adventure; so those important stations which they occupy are, with those who are the best qualified to serve their country, the principal motive to enter or remain in the army. To retaip them is, in fact,the cheapest mode of commanding such talents; for, to pursue the metaphor, if the high prizes | tion the whole of the experience and skill of thể were distributed among all the tickets, there would latter, which, with attention would, in a short be but few adventurers; so, if the compensation period, be communicated to the new recruits, and attached to the general officers were distributed the officers recently oppointed, so as to constitute proportionably among the other officers, the in-a well disciplined force. Should the organization ducement which the army now holds out for a mi.cf full companies, on the contrary, be adopted for litary profession, to individuals of suitable charac-the peace establishment, this process could be ter, would be almost wholly lost. If the generals carried to a very limited extent. Six thousand were reduced to one major and two brigadiers, the men so organized can be augmented on the full saving would not exceed $14,432 anuually, which, war establishment only to 9,115 by doubling the distributed among the officers in proportion to their battalions, (see table E.) Any additional foree, pay, would give to a lieutenant but $25.59 addi- beyond that, must be obtained by adding new regis tional pay, and to a captain $30.87 annually, a summents and battalions, with all of the disadvantages too inconsiderable to have much effect. of inexperience in the officers and men, without I will proceed next to make a few remarks on the means of immediate instruction. This was the that portion of the organization which proposes fatal error at the commencement of the late war, to reduce the rank and file, without a corres-which cost the country so much treasure and pondent reduction of the battalions and regiments. blood, The peace establishment, which preceded By a reference to the table A, it will be seen that it, was very imperfectly organized, and did not it is proposed to add the rifle regiment to those admit of the necessary augmentation; nor did the of the infantry, and unite the ordnance, and the government avail itself of even its limited capacity. girt and heavy artillery into one corps of artillery, in that respect. The forces raised were organized. which, when thus blended, to form nine regiments into new corps, in which, consequently, every of infantry, and five battalions of artillery, from the branch of military duty was to be learned by the latter of which the corps of ordnance is to be officers as well as men. But, with all of these taken, to consist of one colonel, and lieut. colonel, disadvantages, the experience and discipline of two majors, seven captains, and as many lieuten- the old establishment was of immense use and ants as the president may judge necessary. This has, not been duly appreciated. The officers organization will require all the officers of the line belonging to it gradually diffused their military of the present army to be retained. The reasons knowledge through the army, and contributed for the union of the corps, as well as the 'other much to the brilliant results of the campaign of details, will be found explained in the proper place 1814. For the truth of this assertion, I might in the annexed tables. with confidence appeal to those officers, who then acquired so much glory for themselves and their country. possible to have the latter without the former; for it is not difficult to form in a short time well disciplined troops by experienced officers, but the reverse is impossible. The qualifications of the officers are essentially superior to those of the soldiers, and are more difficult to be acquired. The progress of military science has not added much to the difficulty of performing the duty of the soldier, or of training him, but it has greatly to that of the officer. No government can, in the present improved state of the military science, neglect with impunity to instruct a sufficient numher of its citizens in a science indispensable to its independence and safety, and to perfect which instruction, it is necessary that some portion of them (the number to be regulated by the resources of the country and its relation with other governments) should make arms their profession. No position connected with the organization of the pace establishment is susceptable of being more rigidly proved, than that the proportion of Another reason remains to be urged, why, in its officers to the rank and file ought to be greater the peace establishment, the number of officers than in a war establishment. It results immediately ought to be great compared with the actual force, from a position, the truth of which cannot be fairly At the commencement of war an adequate numdoubted, and which I have attempted to illustrate ber of experienced officers is of greater importin the preliminary remarks, that the leading ob.ance than that of disciplined troops, even were it ject of a regular army in time of peace ought to be, to enable the country.to meet with hosor and safety, particularly at the commencement of war, the dangers incident to that state; to effect this object, as far as practicable, the peace organization ought, as has been shown, to be such, that, in passing to a state of war, there should be noth. ing either to new model, or to create; and that the difference between that, and the war organiza. tion ought to be simply in the greater magnitude of the latter. The application of this principle has governed in that portion of the formation of the proposed military establishment, now under consideration. The companies, both of the artillery and infantry, are proposed to be reduced to their minimum peace formation, the former to consist of sixty-four privates, and non-commissioned offi. cers, and the latter of thirty-seven, which will give to the aggregate of both corps thus formed, six thousand three hundred and sixteen, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates. Without adding I have thus presented an organization which I an additional officer, or a single company, they deem the most effective, and which, in the future may be augmented, should a just precaution, grow- exigencies of the country, may be of the utmost ing out of our foreign relations, render it neces- importance. A different one, requiring for the sary, to eleven thousand five hundred and fifty-present an expenditure something less than that eight; and, pending hostilities, by adding 288 off-proposed, might, in some respects, be more agrees, cers, the two corps, on the maximum of the war ble at this moment; but, believing that nothing in formation, may be raised to the respectable force our situation or in our relation with other powers, of 4,545 of the artillery, and 14,490 of the infantry, however pacific at this time, can give a certain making in the aggregate 19,035 officers, non-com-assurance of uninterrupted peace, a state which missioned officers, and privates (see table E.) The may exist in the imagination of the poet, but which war organization, thus raised on the basis of the no nation has yet had the good fortune to enjoy, Peace establishment, will bring into effective opera. I have deemed it my daty to present that organiza, Table Fexhibits the estimate of the saving which will be made by the proposed organization, tion which will most effectually protect the coun#ry against the calamities and dangers of any future contest in which it may be our misfortune to be involved. tillery); 5 trumpets, (light artillery); 40 drummersi 90 gunners, (light artillery); 720 do. (artillery); 180 matrosses, (light artillery); 1.440 do. (artillery); 10 workmen, 45 soldiers of the train, (light artillery).-Total privates, 2,950. " Infantry-9 colonels; 9 lieutenant colonels; 9. majors; 90 captains; 90 lieutenants, 90 first lieu tenants; 90 second lieutenants.--Total officers, 297. 360 sergeants; 360 corporals; 9 armorers; 9 drum majors; 90 drummers; 2,520 privates; 18 workmen. Total privates, 3,366. 75 artificers, workmen of ordnance--6,391 men, rauk and file. Economy is certainly a very high political virtue, intimately connected with the power and the pub. lic virtue of the community. In military operations, which, under the best management, are so expensive, it is of the utmost importance; but, by no propriety of language can that arrangement be called economical, which, in order that our military establishment in peace should be rather less expensive, would, regardless of the purposes Staff-The chief reduction which is practicable for which it ought to be maintained, render it unfit in the staff, is that of the purchasing department. to meet the dangers incident to a state of war. It is reduced to one commissary general, stationed With a single observation, which was omitted at Washington; one assistant and two storekeepers, in its proper place, I will conclude my remarks at New-York and Philadelphia, where all stores The plan proposed for the reduction of the army purchased for the army will be concentrated, and gives six thousand three hundred and sixteen non- from whence they will be distributed to the quartercommissioned officers, musicians, and privates, masters of every corps. By abolishing the distincinstead of six thousand, the number fixed in the tion between the battalion and regimental paymasresolution. It was found difficult to form an organiza-ters, several corps may occasionally, when assem tion on proper principles, which would give that precise number, and as the difference was not deemed very material, I have ventured to deviate to that extent from the terms of the resolution. I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, J. C. CALHOUN. The honorable JOHN W. TAYLOR, A. Organization of the army as proposed under the reso. lution of the house of representatives of 11th May, 1820. bled on one point, be paid by the same officer. The difficulty of finding suitable persons willing to ac cept of the appointment of surgeons' mates, has likewise been the reason for suppressing that rank, and the allowing in their stead a certain number of assistant surgeons, with the rank and appointment of post surgeons, and abolishing all distinctions of rank and pay between surgeons employed in a post, battalion, or regiment. In small posts, the assistant commissaries of subsistence may be charged with the functions of quartermasters. Artillery.By uniting the three corps of the ord nance, light artillery, and artillery, in one, appoint ing one general staff at the head of it, and making General staff-2 major generals, 4 aids de camp; its officers pass in rotation through the three ser 4 brigadier generals, 4 aids de camp; 1 judge advo-vices, the organization of the army will be rendercate; 6 topographical engineers, 4 assistant topo-ed more simple, and the instruction of the officers graphical do.; 1 adjutant and inspector general; 2 much more complete. The present regiment of adjutants general, 4 assistant adjutants general; 2 inspectors general, 4 assistant inspectors generals; 10 regimental adjutants; '8 battalion adjutants. Quartermaster's department.-1 quartermaster general; 2 deputy quartermasters general, 16 assist ant deputy quartermasters general; 10 regimental quartermasters; 8 battalion quartermasters. Paymaster's department.--1 paymaster general; 19 paymasters. Purchasing department.—1 commissary general; 1 assistant commissary general; 2 store keepers. Subsistence department.-I commissary general, with as many assistant commissaries as the service may require. light artillery being organized to manœuvre sixty guns, is stronger than our occasions require; being on foot, and performing garrison duty, it cannot practise its peculiar manœuvres, nor qualify itself for the service which it will be called upon to perform in the field. It is therefore proposed to convert it into an additional regiment of foot artillery, which will only be changing its denomination, and to add a company of light artillery to each of the five regiments of artillery. This arm will thus be distributed on the frontier, and by allowing twenty eight saddle and thirty-two train horses to each company, with ten soldiers of the train to serve them, it will be enabled to maneuvre two pieces Medical department.-1 surgeon general; 2 assist-at a time, with their caissons. ant surgeons general; 1 apothecary general; 2 assistant apothecaries general; 25 surgeons; 44 assistant surgeons. Two lieutenants and two second lieutenants in each company are more than the service indispensably requires. A certain number of officers of this Engineer corps.-1 colonel; 1 assissant engineer; rank can, therefore, always be spared from regimen 1 lieutenant colonel; 2 majors; 6 captains; 6 lieu-tal service, and appointed as assistants in the ordtenants, 6 second lieutenants. nance department. But it is necessary to maintain Military academy.-12 professors and masters; some supernumerary captains for this purpose; for, 250 cadets. if their number did not pass that of the companies Artillery-1 colonel commandant; 1 colonel of of artillery, it would be impossible to spare a capordnance; 1 lieutenant colonel of ordnance; 2 ma-tain of artillery from his company. Lest misapprejors of ordnance; 5 lieutenants colonels of regi-hension should arise on this subject, it is proper to ments; 5 majers of regiments; 7 captains of ord state, that officers of artillery detailed on the ordnance; 5 captains of light artillery; 40 do. of artil-nance service, are exclusively under the control of lery; 10 lieutenants of light artillery; 80 do, of artillery; 10 second lieutenants of light artillery, 80 second lieutenants of artillery.—Total officers, 247. 15 sergeants of light artillery, 120 do, of artillery: 30 corporals of light artillery, 240 do. of artillery, 5 do. of the train; 5 armorers; 5 smiths, (light ar the ordnance department. The service of the ar senals is to be provided for out of the artillery; and the cannoneers will tlins perfect themselves in the composition of fire-works, &c. A single company of ordnance artificers will be retained in peace. As three or four experienced painters are suffi the army. As it is inconvenient to present this in the tabular form in which it was given with the report, we have thrown it into the same form as the statement of the proposed organization. It is as easily understood. General staff.-2 inajor generals, 4 brigadier generals, 1 adjutant and inspector general, 1 quarter master general, 2 adjutants general, 2 inspector generals, 4 assistant adjutants general, 4 assistant inspector generals, 2 deputy quartermasters general, 16 assistant deputy quartermasters general, 1 paymaster general, 2 judge advocates, 1 surgeon general, 40 post surgeons, 1 apothecary general, 2 assistant apothecaries, 1 commissary general of purchases, 2 deputy commissaries of purchases, 6 assistant commissaries of issues, 1 chaplain.—To tal 96. cient for each piece, it is proposed to form them into a peculiar class, as in Europe. All augmenta tions or reductions of the artillery will then fall on the matrosses, who can be trained in a few weeks. The proposed organization allows three sergeants, commanding two guns, to each company, (of whom the senior may perform the duties of orderly and quartermaster sergeant,) six corporals, commanding each one gun, three gunners, and six matrosses, (the least number that can manœuvre it,) to each gun. By raising the force of each company to 100 men, in time of war, the whole corps will be able to manœuvre 90 guns in the field, viz 30 by the light artillery, and 60 by ten companies of foot, and 900 or even 1,800 guns, in forts and batteries, by allowing six cannoneers, or even three, with the aid of the militia, to serve alternately two guns. Infantry.--The proposed organization in the reduction of each regiment to the muimum force, will leave it adapted to the purposes of military service and instruction, by preserving in each corps all its necessary component parts. To execute the modern manœuvres of the field, each battalion must divide itself into two half battalions, four divisions, eight platoons, and sixteen sections, and thirty-two squads, exclusive of its flank companies. Experience has pointed out that in time of war its front should not pass 200 files, exclusive of flank compa. Regiment of light artillery.-1 colonel, 1 lieutennies, lest it become weak and wavering. But it ant colonel, 1 major, i paymaster, 1 regimental surcannot in peace be reduced below 128 files, or 64 geon, 10 captains, 10 first lieutenants, 20 second to a half battalion, 32 to a division, 16 to a platoon, lieutenants, 1 armorer, 1 sergeant major, 1 quarter8 to a section, 4 to a squad, as the various fractions master sergeant, 2 principal musicians, 80 artiwould become too diminutive for any service, if re.ficers, 40 sergeants, 40 corporals, 20 musicians, 580 duced below that number. privates and matrosses.-Total $11. up Engineer department.~*6_topographical engi neers, 1 colonel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 2 majors, 6 captains, 6 first lieutenants, 6 second lieutenants, 1 principal musician, 20 artificers.-Total 53. nel, 1 lieutenant colonel, 2 majors, 10 captains, 16 Ordnance department.-†18 store keepers, 1 colofirst lieutenants, 10 second lieutenants, 10 third lieutenants, +3 master mechanics, †72 mechanics, †88 artificers, 121 laborers.-Total 346. Infantry, eight regiments; and riflemen one regi ment. : Each regiment : The propriety of reducing each regiment to its Corps of artillery.-4 lieutenant colonels, 4 maminimum force, rather than reducing the number jors, & paymasters, 32 captains, 64 first lieutenants, 8 of regiments, and making them somewhat stronger, 64 second lieutenants, 8 armorers, 32 quartermashas been chiefly deduced from the following printers sergeants 160 sergeants, 256 corporals, 128 ciple: the desire of avoiding to create new regi- musicians, 3,200 privates and matrosses.—Total ments, with raw inexperienced officers at their 3,952. head, in the time of war. Each regiment of the army can be formed into two battalions, equally intermixed with old soldiers at the approach of war, and that by a very simple operation, provided that, some time previously, care may have been taken to augment the number of their officers, and fill their ranks to a higher compliment. Nine regi. ments, which, on the proposed organization, form only 3,663 men in time of peace, may then be raised to near 16,000 in time of war, without creating new corps by doubling the number of battalions, and raising their front to 250 files, including the flank companies, and forming them in three ranks. It is, therefore, evident, that the reduction of each regiment of infantry, when formed on this small scale, whilst it makes a very trifling economy, for the present, deprives us of the power of forming a large and effective' force in time of war. The mode of doubling the battalion is simply to form a battalion of each half battalion, a division of each platoon, platoon of each section, &c. and fill up their ranks to the proper number, with a care to place the recruits in the second ranks. Total. : 9 9 : : 9 : 9 1 paymaster : : 10 first lieutenants .. 1 armorer Note. As this estimate is predicated on the small. *The chief engineer, and senior officer of the est numbers that can perform the requisite mancu-corps is allowed one assistant. The four sergeants, vres in the school of company and battalion, and as experience proves that no organization can be kept full, an increase of one sixth to the rank and file, would render the corps at all times efficient and perfect, and would greatly improve the proposed organization. B. 8 a statement signed by the adjutant and inspector general, showing the present organization of four corporals, four musicians, and eighty men, composing the company of bombardiers, sappers. and miners, attached to the engineers, are by law added to the peace establishment of 10,000 rank and file. fthe officers, mechanics, artificers, and laborers of the ordnance, with (†) prefixed, are unlimited by law, and the numbers now in service are assum. ed as the organization. |