marches have been put off, in view of the possible necessity for additional troops in connection with the disturbance referred to, but there remains ample time for their execution, and all organizations other than those now in the field and at Fort Russell will be required to make a march of from 80 to 100 miles as if in the presence of an enemy. The practice will include concentration marches, the essential feature of which is to be strict conformance to the prescribed time of departure from and arrival at designated points. As serving to prepare them for the regular practice marches, it is my purpose to send the troops out, weather permitting, to a distance of 5 or 6 miles from their posts as often as once a week throughout six months of the year.

The limited target practice prescribed for the current season has been completed at Forts Niobrara, Russell, and Washakie, the results showing a slight falling off in the figure of merit, which may be ascribed to lack of familiarity with the new magazine gun. A battalion of the Second Infantry at Fort Omaha began its practice on the target range of the as yet unoccupied post of Fort Crook in May last, but was obliged to stop it, as a large percentage of the bullets was found to ricochet from the hill back of the butts, endangering life and property. It is thought that when the post shall be garrisoned this difficulty may be overcome for the short ranges by the erection of a parapet in rear of the butts and by terracing the hill. Meanwhile ground about 80 miles distant, on the Omaha and Winnebago Indian Reservation, which is suitable for the practice, has been kindly placed at the disposal of the regiment by the acting United States Indian agent in charge (Captain Beck, Tenth Cavalry), and arrangements for utilizing it for this purpose have been perfected. The target ranges at the other posts are reported as in good condition. At the cavalry posts of Forts Robinson and Meade the revolver practice has been finished, but the practice with the carbine is necessarily deferred until the troops shall be supplied with the new magazine arm. The report of the inspector of small-arms practice will be submitted upon the completion of the practice.

Instruction in signaling was carried on at all posts until the extent of proficiency required by the regulations was fully reached. At Fort Meade it has been even more comprehensive, all officers and men having, under separate instructors, become qualified to send and receive messages by flag and heliograph.

The requisite attention, as prescribed by regulations, has been given to the practical instruction of the members of the hospital corps and of the company bearers. The medical director's report shows that the general health of the command was excellent.

A statement of the work accomplished in the various post lyceums, which I regard on the whole as satisfactory, forms an exhibit of the report of the adjutant-general of the department. I am inclined to think, however, that the number of subjects embraced in the course of instruction at some of the posts was too large for a thorough study of each; that subjects such as the drill regulations, with which officers are kept familiar by daily practice, though included in the scope of the examination for promotion, might well be omitted, and that officers who have shown proficiency in a subject of limited range should not be made to go over it year after year, but ought instead to be required to give more attention to branches, such as minor operations of war and military history, which present a practically limitless field for profitable and original investigation.

Noncommissioned officers have received theoretical instruction at most if not all of the posts; but I am without sufficient information to

report upon the methods of and the advantages derived from these noncommissioned officers' schools, the importance of which can hardly be overestimated.

As regards the post schools I concur in the recommendation of the assistant adjutant-general at these headquarters, which is to the effect that the time has come for limiting the subjects taught to such as are related to the military profession and for making proficiency in them an element to be considered in the making of promotions.

My recent inspections have strengthened my belief that, as regards sobriety, intelligence, and deportment at least, the enlisted personnel of our Army has greatly improved within the past ten years. It may be that the difficulty of obtaining employment resulting from the industrial depression from which the country is just beginning to recover has brought into the ranks a class of men superior to that generally found there. But the principal causes of the improvement, it is believed, are the better provision that is now made for the men's physical comfort, the higher standard that has been maintained in recruiting, together with the institution of the special regimental recruiting service, and lastly, the adjustment of penalties not only to the offenses but upon the basis of the previous records of the offenders, coupled with the rule authorizing their expulsion from the Army if the records exhibit certain convictions within a stated period.

A further elevation of the rank and file is, however, both feasible and desirable. It can, I think, be effected by forming the artisans required for the administration of posts into a separate corps, thus obviating the necessity for details for special duty from the combatant organizations, by dividing the privates into two classes, and by such a rearrangement of the rates of pay as will, without greatly swelling the total of the appropriation, give higher compensation to those of the first class as well as to the noncommissioned officers. Of all measures calculated to promote the efficiency of the service I deem the increase of the noncommissioned officers' pay the most important.

The judge-advocate's report shows that this year's percentage of summary court trials is slightly in excess of that for the previous year. This increase arises probably out of a growing tendency to refer every slight breach of discipline to the summary court for adjudication. I share the belief generally entertained that it would be well to empower company commanders by law to punish such lapses offhand, especially when, as is generally the case, they are admitted. Not only would the promptness of the punishment, the limit of which ought of course to be authoritatively fixed, add to its efficacy, but much time and trouble would thus be saved. I am also of opinion that, now that the troops are for the most part stationed at posts commanded by officers of rank and experience, our court-martial system might be simplified and discipline promoted by enlarging the jurisdiction of garrison courts and giving them power to sentence men to dishonorable discharge.

I invite attention to the report of the chief ordnance officer of the department, and concur in his recommendation that better provision be made at posts than hitherto for the storage and repair of ordnance stores. His views upon the important subjects of the "intrenching tool" and "battle ammunition supply" are especially worthy of careful consideration. I also believe officers with war service will agree with him, that the knapsack in any form is not acceptable to the American infantryman and that the most that can on campaigns be expected of the latter in the way of a substitute is to carry a roll consisting of shelter tent, blanket, and change of underclothing.

More or less dissatisfaction is expressed by cavalry officers in reference to the mounts that are being supplied their organizations under the present system. I refrain from commenting upon such expressions further than to record my conviction that complaints on this score will never cease until remount horses shall be procured, as are recruits, by the officers for whose commands they are intended. The success of the special regimental recruiting service has demonstrated the soundness. of this principle.

With regard to barracks and other post buildings, I find that those at Fort Niobrara are well suited to the needs of the garrison; that at Forts Washakie, Robinson, and Russell some alterations, additions, and repairs are required, for which estimates have been or soon will be submitted, and that the buildings at Fort Omaha, though all but a few of them are greatly dilapidated, can be made to last until Fort Crook, which is admirably constructed save in regard to messing arrangements, shall be completed. The condition of the buildings at Fort Meade is such as to require early consideration. Most of the wooden structures, of which the post largely consists, are in an advanced state of decay. They are, moreover, unsuitable in shape and arrangement for the requirements of the garrison as well as ill adapted to the climate of the Black Hills region. If the post is to be maintained for an indefinite period, as I believe it must be, these buildings ought to be gradually replaced by others of brick or stone with fireproof roofs and modern improvements. During the period covered by this report the subsistence, clothing, forage, and other supplies furnished the troops have been of good quality. The public wagons and teams, which, in my judgment, have been reduced in number at some posts below requirements, are reported as in satisfactory condition, except at Fort Russell, where some of the wagons, though still fit for post purposes, are said to be no longer suitable for field service.

Exchanges have been operated successfully (though, owing to the substitution of civilian for soldier attendants, with less profit to the messes) at all posts. Coming fresh from a regimental command, I may be permitted to express my gratification that the exchange is now firmly rooted in our service and that the recently promulgated regulations, while preserving all the essential principles of the rules under which the institution has flourished, have extended its scope. No one acquainted with the corrupting influences, direct and indirect, of the system which it superseded can realize the extent of the reform it has accomplisheda reform promoting sobriety, discipline, and good conduct. I deem it, however, of great importance to its continued usefulness that, especially at the permanent posts, good buildings, corresponding to the structures designed for other garrison purposes, should be erected by the Government for the accommodation of the exchange to replace the unsightly shanties now used for the purpose.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN J. COPPINGER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

Washington, D. C.

REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. JAMES W. FORSYTH.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., December 20, 1894. SIR: Pursuant to the requirements of General Orders, No. 17, Adjutant-General's Office, series of 1892, I have the honor to make the following report of the progress and wants of the United States Cavalry and Light Artillery School at Fort Riley, Kans., for the school year of 1894: Having been appointed brigadier-general, United States Army, November 9, and subsequently assigned to command of the Department of California, I left Fort Riley, Kans., on November 19, to proceed to my new station.

on

Of the school work planned for the year, all had been completed at that time except half of the combined maneuvers. These were finished on December 1, under the able direction and personal supervision of Lieut. Col. L. H. Carpenter, Seventh Cavalry, of whose valuable services in systematizing and conducting cavalry instruction in the school for the past two years I can not speak too highly.

My successor in command, Col. E. V. Sumner, Seventh Cavalry, arrived toward the end of November and assumed control upon the completion of school work for the year.

THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION

pursued was practically the same as that fully outlined in my report of last year, minor variations therefrom having been necessitated by the absence of one squadron on detached service.

THE PROGRESS OF INSTRUCTION

in both subschools is set forth in the reports of the directors thereof, hereto attached.

The schemes of instruction and detailed orders for the government of all cavalry instruction and of combined exercises were printed in extenso in last year's report. The work done this year was so similar in all respects to that of last season, it is not considered necessary or desirable to republish those schemes or orders, but as the character of the benefit derivable from field exercises is quite clearly indicated by the comments upon combined maneuvers, published to the school this year, they are here reprinted in Appendix C.

The plan it was intended to pursue with reference to these comments was to print and distribute them to the command. Once a week all officers were to be assembled, and after the reading of orders, reports, and comments upon each exercise discussion of the same was to be had. On the night of meeting upon the first week's exercises I was notified of my promotion, and shortly afterwards ordered to join my new sta tion without delay. The rush of business incident to closing up my connection with the post and school and to preparations for my depar ture prevented my further prosecution of this plan.

I can not close this report, however, without inviting attention to what I believe to be a most important auxiliary to success in deriving a maximum benefit from field exercises, namely, their thorough and proper discussion after execution.

REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Except as a record of experience for the information of successors, the making of recommendations in printed reports seems of little utility. Pursuant to the provisions of the order establishing the school I last year thus set forth its wants, but, so far as I am informed, no results were consequent thereupon, nor have I yet learned whether the recommendations made and the system of instruction outlined therein met with the approval of my superiors or the reverse.

Recommendations frequently and repeatedly made have seemed to exercise no influence, and serious impediments to the success of the school have continued to exist and to repeat themselves. The most serious of all is the continuous lack of sufficient officers for efficient instruction and the apparently unnecessary detached service of officers and organizations. On several occasions the number of officers available for duty with troops was so small that officers' patrols were necessarily sent out under noncommissioned officers.

Twice within twelve months the same squadron was sent on detached service in the midst of the school season, thereby greatly decreasing any benefit which might possibly have been derived from a complete and systematic course of instruction.

This circumstance would not be mentioned here were it not for the fact that in both instances there was, at a neighboring post, a squadron of cavalry which was apparently available for this detached duty and not engaged in any special course of instruction.

Since the school existed troops composing it have never joined at the season of the year which has been recommended by the commandant and approved by the War Department, but have been ordered there at all seasons irrespective of the effect upon their instruction. The first squadron to join after the school was established, after having been sent on detached service twice within one year, was relieved long before its legitimate tour of duty had expired.

In other words, the interests of the school appear to be assigned a posi tion subordinate to most other considerations incident to the service. Such conditions are not calculated to encourage those charged with the welfare of a young institution struggling for recognition commensurate with its importance to the service, and it is useless to expect any satisfactory amount of success as long as this policy is maintained

in the treatment of its affairs.

It will ordinarily be impossible to find four troops of one regiment so situated as to make it both desirable and convenient to order them to the school, and it will doubtless never be convenient for any regiment to furnish twelve officers for duty with four of its troops.

The difficulty of getting troops changed with regularity and at the proper season and of keeping a sufficient number of officers on duty with troops will therefore probably continue as long as the present system of constituting the cavalry personnel is maintained.

It would be comparatively easy to annually find several troops (no more than one to be taken from any regiment) that could be conveniently ordered to the school, and any regiment can generally, without embarrassment, furnish three or six officers for duty with one or two of its troops.

The above-mentioned difficulties would therefore be encountered much less frequently, if ever at all, were my recommendation of last year adopted, namely, that but one troop be taken from each regiment until twelve instead of eight troops are stationed at the school, when