fications of a soldier, and they are possessed to a greater degree by boys near the age of twenty than by men of middle life. At least one-quarter of the men enrolled in our army in the Civil War should never have been accepted, because of advanced years or physical disabilities, and quite that number never performed a day's active duty. Not only was the service injured by their presence in camp, but the industries and professions were depleted, while the hospital expenses and the pension rolls were increased to the same

extent.

The enrolling of old and feeble men in our war was not the greatest error; but the formation of new regiments, before those in the field had been recruited to their maximum, was doubtless the greatest evil of our system for increasing the active forces. Recruits sent into old regiments were soon made efficient soldiers, were intelligently cared for, and consequently they suffered less from disease and exposure. Had one-half the number of men sent out in new regiments during the second, the third and the fourth years of the war been sent to old organizations in the field, the fighting force would have been greater and much more effective than it was.

The claim that it was necessary to organize new regiments to fill the calls for troops, because it increased the activity of men by holding out the prospect of appointments, calls up another subject which deserves consideration. Shall an army be raised by calling for volunteers or by ordering a draft? This country will never declare war without receiving the tender of more men fit to be made soldiers than can be equipped, but when men are required to fill the depleted ranks they must be gained by bounties or by a draft. Patriotic enthusiasm will be exhausted in filling the first call; at least the experience of the past confirms this statement. Bounties tend to chill patriotism, debase manhood and lead to extravagance and peculation. A draft recognizes the responsibil

ity of citizenship, and is a just method of providing for the public defense.

Congress has provided the soldier with clothing, equipments, rations, pay, spiritual guidance, pensions for disabilities incurred in the service, and homes for the aged, and, in these provisions, has gone beyond the policy of any other country to promote his efficiency and to satisfy his wants, except to provide the best means to protect his health, cure his diseases and heal his wounds. The Medical Department, throughout the Civil War, the Spanish War, and to the present time, has been treated with marked indifference and neglect by Congress. The personnel is kept far below the number requisite to perform efficiently the duties devolving upon that department, and the recommendations of men of the highest scientific attainments, supported by officers of the largest experience in military affairs, have failed to secure for the Army an adequate medical force and the benefits of the latest discoveries which scientific investigations have brought into medical and surgical practice.

After every material provision has been made for the soldier's efficiency and welfare, there are other means of greatly enhancing his usefulness; these consist in official recognition of his meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy. We have now brevet appointments and Medals of Honor, but their usefulness has been minimized by the delay in conferring them. Every act of an officer or soldier, wherein he displays unusual skill, valor, fortitude or devotion to the flag, or to a disabled comrade, should receive prompt recognition, and in a manner to acquaint the entire command with the circumstances for which the honorable notice is given. Such awards are inspiring, not only to the recipient but to the army, for honorable ambition and love of glory are unquestionably controlling motives, which move the springs of action to the performance of the most valorous

deeds, deeds which are inspiring to others; and, if promptly recognized, the beneficial effects are greatly extended. An army commander should be authorized to bestow medals of merit, and be furnished with such a number that he can cause to be awarded prompt recognition of every act of conspicuous bravery. Congressional Medals of Honor and brevet appointments should be bestowed as early as possible, and not withheld until the war is over, when they are useful only as family heir-looms.

Probably ninety per cent. of the brevet appointments and Medals of Honor were awarded after the close of the war in which they were earned, and consequently were valueless in the essential element for which they were authorized, as incitements to noble deeds.

As a world power, we need more than ever before to raise our military and naval forces to the highest state of efficiency, to bring into use every discovery which will express in the shortest time and most effective manner the nation's strength. Such a policy will increase the number of the nation's days of peace, it will insure the world's respect and, should evil days befall us, it will put the country in a position to compel peace in the shortest time and with the least cost. Writing these closing lines on the forty-first anniversary of my last battle, I feel more keenly than ever the inexpressible horrors of armed strife, and, while desiring the nation to cultivate the arts of peace with the greatest assiduity, I, nevertheless, believe that suitable preparation for war is the surest guarantee of peace.

R

CHAPTER XXXI

THE REGIMENTAL ROSTER

OSTER of the Sixteenth New York Infantry Volunteers mustered into the United States service for the term of two years at Albany, May 15, 1861. Mustered out at Albany, May 22, 1863.

The Arabic figures following the names indicate, first, the age, and, secondly, the height in feet and inches of the member at the date of muster into service. In the cases of those who joined after May 15, 1861, the date of their appointment or enlistment follows the figures indicating height. The rules adopted by the War Department for capitalization and punctuation have been followed here.

The abbreviations used are as follows: resd, for resigned; disa, for disease; wds, for wounds; dis, for discharge; tr, for transferred; m o, for mustered out.

The three members unaccounted for are doubtless dead, but their friends do not authorize their being so reported; James A. Hurley was last heard from in 1866; George H. Forsythe, in 1875; Alpheus Tompkins, in 1880.