The Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR.
WAR DEPARTMENT, _Feb. 10, 1813_.
SIR: In reply to the letter you did me the honor to write
to me, on the 5th instant, by direction of the Committee on
Military Affairs, I respectfully submit the following opinions:
1st. That an increased number of general officers is essential
to the public service. The number of regiments provided for
by law, is, two of light dragoons, three of heavy artillery,
one of light artillery, one of riflemen, and forty-five of
infantry, making, together, fifty-two regiments.
The simplest organization is ever the best. Hence it is, that,
as a regiment consists of two battalions, so a brigade should
consist of two regiments, and a division of two brigades.
This sphere of command will be found in practice, sufficiently
large. The management of two thousand men in the field, will be
ample duty for a brigadier, and the direction of double that
number will give full occupation to a major general. To enlarge
the sphere of command in either grade would not be a mean of
best promoting the public good.
Taking these ideas as the basis of the rule, and taking
for granted, also, that our ranks are filled, the present
establishment would require twenty-five brigadiers and
twelve major generals. But the latter admission requires
qualification, and, under existing circumstances, it may be
sufficient that the higher staff should consist of eight major
generals, and sixteen brigadiers.
The general argument, on this head, might be fortified by our
own practice during the war of the Revolution, and by that of
European nations at all times. Believing, however, that this
view of the subject has been already taken by the adjutant
general, in a late communication to you, I forbear to do more
than suggest it.
2. The recruiting service would be much promoted, were the
bounty in land commutable into money, at the option of the
soldier, and at the end of his service. This modification would
be addressed to both descriptions of men--those who would
prefer money, and such as would prefer land.
I need hardly remark that bounties, at the close of service,
have many advantages over those given before service begins.
The former tie men down to their duty; the latter furnish, if
not the motive, at least the means of debauch and desertion.
Another, and a public reason, for the preference, may be found
in the greater convenience with which money may be paid at the
end, than at the commencement of a war.