The Corporal

313. The appointment of corporal is the first step to promotion in the army, and may lead to the highest distinction in the military service. The corporal is usually selected from the most intelligent privates, who have been longest in the service, and who are noted for their military appearance and attention to duty.
314. The sergeants are appointed from the corporals; and they should therefore look upon their position as one of probation, and should seek to perform well their part, in order that they may be advanced.
315. The pay of a corporal of artillery and infantry is the same as that of a private, thirteen dollars per month, owing to the fact that when the pay of privates was increased that of non-commissioned officers was not changed. In the cavalry their pay is fourteen dollars per month; in the engineers and ordnance , twenty dollars. They get one ration per day, except the corporal of ordnance, who receives a ration and a half. They get a small increase on the allowance of clothing to a private.

316. The duties of a corporal are simple, and depend for their successful performance mainly upon his capacity to control and direct soldiers in the performance of their duty. They take charge of the smaller details for fatigue and police duty in camp and garrison duty: their most important duty is that of Corporal of the Guard. They frequently succeed to the responsibilities of sergeant in his absence, and should therefore be familiar with his duties.
317. Corporals should bear in mind that they are entitled to implicit obedience from the men placed under them; and, whilst they are not usually authorized to confine soldiers on their own judgment, they should always be sustained by their superiors in the performance of their duties, and in the execution of their office.
318. When a soldier neglects his duty towards a corporal, the corporal should at once report the fact to the first sergeant, whose duty it is either to decide in t he matter, or to report it to his company commander.
319. Non-commissioned officers have it in their power at times to favor certain soldiers, that is, to relieve them from the most disagreeable part of the duty before them, and give it to others. Such distinctions soon destroy their influence over men, and give rise to trouble and difficulty.
320. They should seek to be just towards the men, treat all alike, and when a hardship falls upon an individual he should have no grounds for thinking he has been especially selected.
321. The corporal should insist upon obedience, without being arbitrary, and should maintain his position as a non-commissioned officer firmly, but without arrogance. When he first receives his appointment, his calibre meets with the severest tests. Soldiers, for a time, will be apt to try the material he is made of, which they do in many ways, and by progressive steps, and, if not checked, will increase to a complete disregard, and terminate in an entire inefficiency of the corporal.
322. He should take the first opportunity, and make it the decisive issue that will settle once and for all that he intends to maintain his position with the jealousy of the highest grade.
323. Corporals should be living examples for the soldiers in the neatness and cleanliness of their clothing, arms, and accoutrements. They should be the first to fall into ranks at roll-calls, and should have their tents or bunks, wherever their quarters, always systematically in order.
324. They should be familiar with the "School of the Soldier," and capable of instruction the recruits in the elementary principles of tactics.
325. In the field, where it is sometimes difficult to cook for the entire company, it is divided into messes and the non-commissioned officers placed in charge of the different messes pro rata. They are held responsible for the conduct of the mess-mates in the keeping of their tents and the care of the camp and garrison equipage in their charge.
326. Corporal of the Guard. - This is the most important duty that falls to the corporal. He should be perfectly familiar with the duties of the sentinel, and able to instruct the members of the guard in their duties.
327. Ordinarily, a guard consists of a lieutenant and sergeant of the guard, and three corporals, one to each relief. As soon as the guard has marched on, it is divided into three reliefs. The senior corporal is assigned to the first relief, the next to the second, and the third corporal to the last relief.
328. As soon as his relief has been assigned to him, the corporal makes a list of the names and numbers, beginning on the right, the odd numbers being in the front rank, and the even numbers in the rear rank. This list is handed to the sergeant of the guard. The corporal should keep a copy of it also.
329. As soon as the list of the first relief is taken, the corporal marches it off to post it, accompanied by the corporal of the old guard. No. 1 is relieved first; he is always stationed at the guard-house, and is not required to march round the chain of sentinels with the relief. The other sentinels are relieved in succession, and are required to fall in in the rear and march round in order, at a "Support Arms." The Regulations prescribe:
"394. When a sentinel sees the relief approaching, he will halt and face to it, with his arms at a shoulder. At six paces, the corporal will command,

1. Relief. 2. Halt!

when the relief will halt and carry arms. The corporal will then add, 'No. 1,' or 'No. 2,' or 'No. 3,' according to the number of the post,

Arms - Port!

The two sentinels will, with arms at port, then approach each other, when the old sentinel, under the correction of the corporal, will whisper the instructions to the new sentinel. This done, the two sentinels will shoulder arms, and the old sentinel will pass, in quick time, to his place in rear of the relief. The corporal will then command,

1. Support - Arms! 2. Forward. 3. March!

and the relief proceeds in the same manner until the whole are relieved."
330. The first relief should be posted as promptly as possible, as both guards are kept waiting until all the sentinels have been relieved and have joined their guards to march off. The new guard does not "Stack Arms" until the old one has marched off.
331. If the guard is small, there may be but one corporal; and he then would be required to post all the reliefs, and, in all probability, there would be no officer of the guard, and the sergeant then would be the commander of the guard. When there is a corporal to each relief, each corporal parades his own relief, posts it, and instructs the sentinels in their duty. He answers the call of the sentinels of his relief for "Corporal of the Guard."
332. The reliefs are usually posted for two hours: they have, therefore, four hours off post. It may be necessary to have two or all the corporals visiting the sentinels at once. The corporals of the other reliefs may therefore be called on when the corporal whose relief is on post is absent on duty. Each corporal, however, answers the calls of his own relief as far as possible.
333. The corporal should visit his relief thoroughly the first tour by daylight, and see that the sentinels know their day-orders well, and again the first tour at night, to see that they know and perform their night-duties properly. And they should be visited at other times also, until they know and perform their duties well; for the corporal will be held responsible by the officer of the guard that the sentinels are properly instructed.
334. Corporals should remember that the only persons authorized to give them orders when on guard are the commanding officer, officer of the day, and the commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the guard; and they take orders from no other persons.
335. The privates of the guard should make their applications to be absent from the guard, through the corporals, who are required to see that they return punctually and are not absent longer than is necessary. The corporal is held responsible that he reports to the officer of the guard all neglect of duty or disobedience of orders or instructions by members of the guard.
336. The corporal whose relief is on post at twilight receives the countersign and communicates it to the sentinels of his relief. Afterwards the countersign is communicated by the old sentinel to the new one when the relief marches round.
337. Corporals should be careful how they exercise their own discretion in reporting offences or neglect of duty by the men. It often happens that it may be wise and judicious to let the first offence pass, with the admonition that if repeated it will certainly be taken notice of. In no case should a repetition of the same offence be allowed to pass unreported, as it is sure to be followed by others.
338. In cities and towns, and in the neighborhood of camps, patrol guards are often sent out under a non-commissioned officer, to pick up soldiers absent without authority, and to correct any abuses of which soldiers may be guilty. Such patrol guards have no authority over commissioned officers, and it is not proper that such patrols should be instructed to demand passes of officers. Such patrols may, however, give information of improper conduct on the part of officers to the officer of the day or officer of the guard.
339. The Corporal of Police. - He may be on general police or company police. On the former, he will probably be under the direction of the officer of police or sergeant, and have a detail placed under his direction to police a certain extent of ground about the camp or quarters. On company police, he will have charge of cleaning up the company parade-ground and quarters, under the instruction of the first sergeant.
340. The police party is usually turned out twice during the day, - in the morning soon after reveille and in the afternoon before evening parade. The duty is light if regularly performed and the corporals are attentive and require the men to do their work thoroughly each time they are turned out.
341. In barracks, the duty corresponding to police in camp, is room-orderly. He usually goes on for a week at a time, and alternates with the duty-sergeant and corporals, occupying the same room in barracks, in regulating the police of the room. He sees that the men keep their bunks or bedsteads in order, roll up their beds, and fold their blankets neatly after reveille; that the room is swept out and prepared for the morning inspection. In winter-time, or cold weather, the police party is required to cut wood for the kitchen and for the quarters, where the fires are used in common. The corporal superintends the party, and sees that the duty is properly performed.
342. Fatigue. - Corporals usually have charge of the smaller details for fatigue duty. Fatigue duty includes all the irregular work that the soldier is called upon to perform from time to time. In the field, in includes working upon roads, building field-works, rifle-pits, &c., making or removing obstructions, duty on forage-parties, and, in fact, all the duties where details of men are required, without arms, for short periods.
343. In barracks or quarters there are many duties that call for details for fatigue, such as loading or unloading of stores, the removal of stores from one place to another, digging of graves for deceased soldiers or officers, labor on the grounds, works, or buildings of the post, &c. All such duties are usually claimed as fatigue, and the labor should be divided pro rata among the non-commissioned officers and the men.
344. Corporals may either have charge of a separate party or a subdivision, and receive their instructions as to what they are expected to do, and are held responsible by their superior officers for the performance of their duty.
345. They should make lists of the names of the men under them, so that they will know at any time what men are under their orders, and be able to settle any question that may come up concerning the detail. The habit of taking notes cannot be too strongly recommended to corporals and other non-commissioned officers.
346. They are also held responsible for the tools and other implements used by the party, and should therefore take memoranda of their number, kind, and condition, and, if any are lost, broken, or injured, they should report by whom and how they were damaged, and "whether by fault of any one," when they are turned in again.

The Sergeant.

365. It is difficult to draw the line between the duties of the corporal and those of the sergeant. There is really no great difference in their duties. Sergeants generally have larger details under their charge, and have corporals under their direction to assist them. They are usually intrusted with more responsible duties, and they are supposed to have greater experience, and to approach nearer the commissioned officer in a knowledge of all military matters.
366. Sergeants generally have a more general supervision of the men, whilst corporals have more of the detail to attend to. The company should be divided into a number of squads proportionate to the number of duty-sergeants in the company, with a proportionate number of corporals, who should have charge when the sergeants are absent.
367. They are responsible for the camp and garrison equipage which the squad has in general use. They have charge of the preliminary instruction of the men in their various duties, and must preserve order in their squad, and see that the men do not absent themselves without proper authority.
368. The most important duty of sergeant is that of file-closer. Posted in the rear of the company when paraded, it is his duty to see that the men pay attention to their duty, preserve order, march properly, and keep closed.
369. In time of battle, it is his duty to keep men in ranks, not to allow them to fall out on any pretext, and to prevent them from misbehaving before the enemy. He is even required to shoot men down when they attempt to run away in times of danger.
370. The men must not be permitted to fall out to attend the wounded without orders; the battle must be won first, and then the wounded can be taken care of without endangering the safety of the entire command.
371. On the march he must see that the men do not fall out unnecessarily, and, when absolutely necessary, that the soldier turns over his gun and accoutrements to a comrade to be carried until he can overtake his company again.
372. He must see that the men fill their canteens with water, and not whiskey, before the march commences, and that they do not eat up their rations at improper hours on the march; for the habit of munching at all hours on the march, besides being injurious to the health of the soldier, may defeat the purpose of an expedition based on the necessity that a limited supply of food must last a given number of days.
373. Sergeants are usually appointed, by the commanding officer of the regiment or post, from the corporals, on the recommendation of the company commander.
374. In advancing non-commissioned officers from one grade to another, no claim of seniority is considered, except where the merits of the two candidates are equal; then the senior in date should be appointed. the pay of duty-sergeants of infantry, cavalry, and artillery is seventeen dollars per month, with an allowance of clothing and one ration.
375. Sergeant of the Guard. - The sergeant of the guard has general supervision of the corporals and members of the guard. He sees that the reliefs are turned out at the proper time, that the corporals obey the calls of the sentinels, receives the prisoners and sees that they are properly secured, that sentences of prisoners are carried out each day, prepares the guard report for the officer of the guard, and, in general, is responsible that all the members of the guard under him perform their duty.
376. Where the posts are numerous, sergeants assist the corporals in posting the sentinels. they must see that the corporals comprehend the orders and are capable of instructing the sentinels; and when a sentinel calls for the corporal of the guard, it is the duty of the sergeant to see that the corporal obeys the call promptly.
377. The sergeant carries the keys of the prisons, sees that the prisoners are duly locked up at night and sent out to work in the morning, and that those sentenced to close confinement on bread and water are not visited or fed by andy of the other prisoners or members of the guard. When prisoners are brought to the guard-house to be confined, he takes charge of them, takes down their names, company, and regiment, the charges against each, by whom preferred, and by whose order confined.
378. Prisoners undergoing sentence he must attend to, and see that the penalty is executed; also that those whose sentences expire are reported to the officer of the guard or officer of the day, in order that they may be released; and also that they prisoners are supplied by the cooks with their victuals. Prisoners are usually supplied from their company by the cooks. Citizen prisoners, or prisoners of war, are either assigned to some of the companies, where their rations are cooked, or else, where they are numerous, some one is detailed to cook for them.
379. The sergeant should verify the list of prisoners, and see that they are all present when he marches on guard. He should also see that all the articles on the guard-book, for which he or the officer of the guard receipts, are on hand. These are, usually, the furniture of the guard-room, the utensils for labor used by the prisoners, and the handcuffs or shackles, &c.
380. The guard report is usually made out in a Guard Report Book, furnished from post or regimental head-quarters. In the absence of such a book, a report must be ruled out on a sheet of foolscap, according to the prescribed form in the Regulations, page 63.
381. Whatever happens during the tour of guard is mentioned in the column of remarks. These are usually the visits of the officer of the day, the visits of the officer of the guard to the sentinels, the manner in which they have performed their duty, and the incidents of note that have occurred during the tour.
382. The attention of the commanding officer may also be called to any changes that may be thought necessary of matters or things over which the officer of the day or officer of the guard exercises supervision. When there is no officer of the guard, the report is signed by the sergeant and countersigned by the officer of the day.
383. In the absence of cavalry, infantry is sometimes used on picket-duty, to furnish the outer sentinels, particularly where the contending armies are in close proximity, as immediately preceding a battle, or during a siege.
384. In this case, the same precautions are necessary in selecting positions, remaining concealed, and being constantly on the alert, as are enjoined upon cavalry. The same system of posting and relieving sentinels is pursued. the sentinels patrol in the same way in the night and during foggy weather.
385. During the day it is not generally considered proper to patrol. The sentinels are usually posted in commanding positions, where they have a good view to the front, and can see the posts on the right and left.
386. Sometimes, especially where the men would be expose to the enemy's fire, the reliefs are dispensed with, and the three sentinels of each post are posted together and relieve each other, - two sleeping on their arms, whilst the third keeps watch. This is particularly recommended in Indian warfare.
387. When cavalry is used for the outer sentinels, the infantry is usually posted in small detachments in rear, each under an officer or non-commissioned officer, according to its strength, forming a line of supports to which the vedettes retire on the approach of a superior force, and with which they are connected by a chain of sentinels within call of each other.
388. Police. - The policing of camp is usually performed by two kinds of details. the roster for the company police is kept in the company, and the duty-sergeants and the corporals alternate in taking charge of this detail, whose duty it is to police the company-grounds twice a day, and they are turned out by the non-commissioned officer when the police-call sounds.
389. General police is usually performed by the guard which was marched off the morning previous; and the duty of this detail is to police the grounds in general use by all the regiment or detachment, the quarters of the field officers, and, generally, to perform all the clearing up that it is necessary to do outside of the company-grounds. The police-call sounds usually twice during the day, - once in the morning, immediately after reveille, and again in the afternoon, just before retreat parade.
390. The sergeant of the guard that has marched off the previous morning parades his men, and, with the corporals to assist him, proceeds to collect all the rubbish that has accumulated since the last detail, and to do any other cleaning that the officer of police may direct. Sometimes the officer of the day acts as officer of police, and gives the instructions to the sergeant.
391. This duty is performed by collection the rubbish in heaps by one part of the detail, whilst another portion is engaged with handbarrows in transporting it to some place of general deposit, where, if necessary, it may be again removed in wagons.
392. The men who are absent from this detail from sickness, or any other legitimate cause, are not usually replaced. It is, however, the duty of the non-commissioned officers to see that all the members of the old guard parade, or are properly excused.
393. Where prisoners are numerous, the general police may be dispensed with, and the work be performed by the prisoners, under the direction of the provost-sergeant; and this is usually the case where there is no other work for the prisoners to be employed at.
394. A provost-sergeant is one who is detailed permanently to take charge of the prisoners, to attend to the execution of sentences, and perform all the duties relating to the prisoners prescribed for the non-commissioned officers of the guard. He is often charged with making arrests of non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
395. In barracks, besides being chiefs of squads, sergeants take their turns with the corporals, a week at a time, as room-orderlies, and are required to keep the room in order, and see that the men have every thing prepared for inspection every morning. (See Par. 341. [Located under 'The Corporal' Ed.]
396. The kitchen must be supplied with wood and water. This may be done either by special details for the purpose each day, or by the company police. In either case a sergeant or corporal is in charge of the party, and is responsible that the wood and water are properly furnished.
397. Fatigue. - Sergeants are usually placed in charge of larger details for fatigue than corporals, and have perhaps one or more corporals to assist them. The same general principles that are laid down for corporals on fatigue duty apply to sergeants. The sergeant may be under the direction of an officer immediately over him, or may have exclusive charge of the party and of the execution of the duty.
398. Fatigue duty, including as it does the entire range of labor likely to fall to the lot of troops, may sometimes require peculiar knowledge and special experience. The construction of a bridge, the repairing of a railroad, or the management of a boat, at a critical moment when there is no time to look for competent men, may involve a success the accomplishment of which might win an undying laurel for some sergeant who has stored up the knowledge or experience for the favorable moment.
399. On all occasions of police, fatigue, or guard duty, the details are marched to and from their work in an orderly and military manner; and any disorderly conduct or neglect of duty on the part of the men should be promptly reported for punishment. The neglect to enforce these minor requirements of service soon leads to more serious dereliction of duty.

The First Sergeant

419. The duties of first sergeant are peculiar to his position, and require capacity and knowledge superior to those of other sergeants. Whilst he does not rank as high as some others, nor receive as much pay, his position is one of the most responsible and most honorable that non-commissioned officers can occupy.
420. The first sergeant is selected by the captain of the company from the other sergeants, without regard to rank, and commissioned by the commanding officer of the regiment. He may be reduced, like other non-commissioned officers by the commanding officer on recommendation of the company commander, or by sentence of a court martial. The pay of first sergeants of artillery, cavalry, and infantry is twenty dollars per month, with one ration and a allowance of clothing.
421. He has the immediate supervision of the company. He gets his orders from the captain or officer commanding the company, and sees that they are performed in the company. He is, in fact, the foreman; the men are the artisans. He lays out and superintends the details of the work which the captain has directed to be executed.
422. Orders received from the commanding officer or other officer by the first sergeant should be communicated to the company commander at once, before being obeyed, if there is time. Under any circumstances, they should be reported to him as soon as possible. Whenever the orderly call sounds, the first sergeant repairs to regimental or post head-quarters to receive the orders or instructions, and if they are at unusual, they should be communicated to the company commander without delay.
423. An hour is generally established for assembling the orderlies or first sergeants, usually at noon, for the distributions of orders and announcements of details, and for communicating any alteration in the ordinary routine. The published orders should be copied in the company order-book; and it is best, also to make memorandums of any other orders or instructions received.
424. He keeps the rosters, and makes all the details; he superintends the company clerk, and assists him in making out all the required papers. These duties are fully explained in "The Company Clerk," and are, therefore, omitted here.
425. He should memorize the roster of the company in alphabetical order, so that he can at all hours form the company and call the roll, day or night. Much natural shrewdness is required in this duty, to associate in the memory the name, the face, and voice of the soldier and his proper position in the ranks; for the men are frequently in the habit of answering absentees, and if they find that the sergeant can be deceived in this respect they are very likely to practice it on him.
426. There should be a uniform method of forming the company; and there is no reason why there should be a difference in the different corps or in different regiments. The company should be sized. In all the odd-numbered companies the tallest men are placed on the right, diminishing in size to the left, and in the even-numbered companies the tallest should be on the left, diminishing to the right,
- the principal being that in each division the tallest men should be on the flanks, and the shortest in the center; the regimental front will thus present a level line, and there will be an apparent uniformity in size of the entire regiment.
427. At roll calls the first sergeant takes his place six or eight paces, according as the company is small or large, in front of the opposite the center of his company, facing towards it. If the company is forming without arms, the men fall in and take the position of parade rest, and the first sergeant takes the same position. (Reg. 335.)
428. They should fall in in two ranks, whether with or without arms. With arms they fall in at the shoulder arms instead of parade rest. The company is formed in the interval between the musicians' call and the last note of the assembly, when every man should be in ranks; and those who fall in afterwards should be punished for being late.
429. When the music has ceased, the first sergeant commands, "Attention!" whereupon the company, if at parade rest, take the position of the soldier, and if with arms, the sergeant adds, "Support arms." The roll is then called, commencing with sergeants, Adams, Smith, &c., in the order of rank, until all are called; Then "corporals," Brown, Jones, &c., to "farriers;" then "buglers or musicians;" and finally "privates," Ames, Brown, Cox, &c., in alphabetical order. As each name is called, they answer, "Here;" and if with arms at a support they come to a "shoulder" and finally to "order arms," immediately on answering to their names; if with sabres or pistols drawn, they return them to their scabbards.
430. After the roll has been called, the first sergeant turns to the officer superintending the roll call, and reports the absentees by name. If none are absent without authority, he reports, "All present or accounted for." If the officer should then take command of the company, the first sergeant takes his post on the right of the company, and acts as right guide.
431. The first sergeant makes out the morning report and signs it, and then submits it to the commanding officer of the company for his signature, after which it is handed in to the regimental or post commander. To make it correctly, the sergeant should be constantly posted on the changes in the company, as the report is valuable only in proportion to its correctness. It should be a correct statement of the company, in order that the commanding officer may each day be able to know the
condition of his command.
432. The sick report must always be made up in the morning before the morning report, in order that the report may be accurate as to the number of men for duty. For duty means all the men available for the legitimate duties of the soldier; and the column "for duty" should show the effective strength for actual service of the company for each day. Some understanding is necessary with regards to the men on extra and daily duty, as to whether they are included in the effective strength or not. An order from post or regimental head-quarters would regulate this point.
433. The first sergeant should be quartered with the men, when possible, has a separate room or tent. He has general supervision of all company property, - the quartermaster and commissary sergeants assisting him in the details. He keeps rosters of all property issued to the men and non-commissioned officers, and sees the surplus property is cared for and properly stored.
434. He must see that the quartermaster and commissary sergeants do their duty with regard to the property and that they hand in to him statements of all the property received and issued, lost or destroyed, in order that the records of the company may be correctly kept.
435. He sees that all the other non-commissioned officers do their duty; he holds the chiefs of the squads responsible for the condition of their respective squads, and reports to the captain when any one neglects his duty in any respect.
436. He is usually empowered by the captain to confine soldiers and arrest non-commissioned officers for offenses. In these cases he always reports the confinement or arrest to be by order of the captain or company commander. He should, however, report the facts in the case to the captain or company commander at once, in order that he may be prepared to sustain him in the act, or correct it if he does not approve of his action.
437. He makes all the details from the company and sees that a record is kept on the roster. He parades the details, inspects them, and sees that they are properly equipped for the duty they are to perform, and then turns them over to a non-commissioned officer to be marched to their posts, or marches them there himself. He generally marches on the guard detail himself. ( Reg. 376. )
438. After parading and inspecting it, and having ascertained that the guard are all in proper condition, he marches them to the usual place for mounting the guard, where the sergeant-major receives them. The detail is formed in two ranks, the supernumeraries being in the third rank. When he arrives on the ground, he forms his detail on the left of the other details that may have already arrived, faces it to the front, and brings it to "rear open order," and, after commanding "front," reports his detail, "all present," or "corporal or private so-and-so absent," as the case may be,
and then takes his post in rear of his supernumeraries, in rear of the guard, where he remains at parade rest until the guard marches off, when he marches his supernumeraries back to the company-ground. ( Reg. 383. )
439. Supernumeraries, usually one or two, are detailed to take the place of members of the guard from the company who fall sick during the tour. The supernumeraries receives credit for a tour if he takes a place of any one on the guard, no matter at what time of the tour. The supernumaries are, therefore, the next for the guard after the detail is made. ( For the manner of keeping the rosters and making the details, see " Company Clerk," par.20. )
440. The most responsible duties of the first sergeant are those which involve the issue and care of public property and keeping an account thereof. These are principally the issuing of arms and ammunition, and camp and garrison equipage, to the men; the keeping of a record to whom and when issued, and the charging of articles lost, or procuring affidavits or certificates if the articles are not lost through the fault of any one; the issuing and keeping an account of clothing; the drawing and issuing of rations, including the care and disposition of the company savings, and disbursement of company fund if - as sometimes happens - it be intrusted to him; and finally, the care of the company property, usually accumulated for the use of the company by purchases with the company fund.
441. These duties are materially facilitated by numbering the men in the company as nearly as possible in alphabetical order; and a man should not be permitted to change his number as long as he remains with the company. ( Reg. 90. )

442. The company should be provided with a complete set of marking-implements, so that each article may be marked with the letter of the company and the number of the man who uses it, and, in some cases, his name or initials. These implements are purchased with the company fund, and usually consists of a set of stencil-plates, a brand of the letter of the company and punch of the same, and a set of numbers for both, to mark articles of wood or iron. The completeness and perfection of these articles add greatly to the security of the company property and to the protection of individuals in the company.
443. Ordnance. - The design is that a company shall draw its full allowance of ordnance; and it is expected to appertain to the company as long as it is serviceable. The regiment armorer keeps it in repair; and such repairs as cannot be made by him may be made by sending to the nearest arsenal. The Ordnance Department requires that the old arms shall be inspected, condemned, and ordered to be turned in before new arms can be drawn.
444. A strict account of the arms, therefore, is necessary, and tends to keep them in good order; for if the soldiers find that they are to pay every loss or deficiency, they will take care of them as if they were their own personal property. The arms should bear the letter of the company and be numbered, and each soldier should have his corresponding number issued to him. If the arms cannot be so lettered and numbered from the arsenal, it can be done by the regimental armorer.
445. The surplus arms not issued to the soldiers are kept in repair, and are boxed up and placed in store usually at the post to which the company belongs. The storing is done by the quartermaster sergeant, if there is one to the company. If there is not a company store-room to which he alone has access, the boxes are turned over to the quartermaster for storage, who gives a storage receipt therefore. The boxes should be marked with the letter of the company, the name of the officer accountable for the property, and a list of the contents.
446. When ordnance is sent to the arsenal for repairs, it is boxed up in the same way, and marked for the arsenal to which it is to go. Triplicate invoices are made out, one of which is sent direct to the officer in charge of the arsenal, and the other two to the quartermaster to whom the ordnance is turned over for transportation, who gives transportation receipts for the same. The invoice should be minute as to the nature of repairs required on each article.
447. A record of the articles issued to each soldier is kept; and where an article differently numbered is issued to him, it should be noted, or else the number should be changed, if there is no other article of the same kind similarly numbered in the company. The foregoing applies to all articles of ordnance, including horde-equipments, &c. ( See "Company Clerk," Par.41. )
448. Clothing.- Clothing is accounted for differently from other property. It is issued to the soldiers, and their receipt is taken on receipt-rolls, which become the voucher for the officer accountable for the property.
449.The quartermaster is required to keep the clothing on hand, from whom it is drawn on requisitions signed by the company commander. The amount of clothing required for each issue is ascertained by actual inspection; and the actual wants of the soldier should determine his allowance.
450. An officer should be present at the issue to witness the signature of each soldier. If there is no officer, a non-commissioned officer must do it. The articles drawn are entered on the receipt-roll, opposite the soldier's name and their respective headings and he signs his name opposite, and opposite to it is the signature of the witness, repeated to each signature of the men.
451. These receipt-rolls are made in duplicate, one of which is retained by the officer accountable for the clothing, and the other is forwarded, as a voucher to his returns, to the Quartermaster-General.
452. The money value of each issue is computed and entered in the clothing-book on the page appropriate to the soldier, with the date of issue, and his receipt or signature witnessed as on the receipt-roll. The price is obtained from the General Order, published periodically, giving the price of the clothing for the army.
453. Frequent inspections should be had of the men's clothing, in order that the soldiers may be prevented from disposing of their clothing improperly; and as it is both contrary to law and regulations for soldiers to sell their clothing, such offences should be rigidly punished. ( Act MArch3, 1863, sec 23. and Art. 38 )
454. Camp and Garrison Equipage. -This kind of property, although borne on the return with clothing, is differently accounted for, being reported on hand as company property until worn out, when it is inspected and condemned and ordered to be dropped. Soldiers are not required to pay for its loss, expect when lost or destroyed through their fault or neglect.
455. A record of the issues to the soldiers is kept the same as of ordnance. ( See Form 5, "Company Clerk," Par. 41 ) The property used in common by squads is issued to the chiefs of squads, whose duty is to look after the property and report any loss or destruction of it, in order that it may be charged to the proper person if lost or destroyed through the fault or neglect of any one.
456. Cavalry and artillery companies have also a certain amount of quartermaster's property, which is accounted for on a separate return, in the same manner as camp and garrison equipage. Where there is a quartermaster sergeant in the company, he is usually intrusted with the transportation and storage of all surplus company property.
457. Rations. - If there is a commissary sergeant in the company, the immediate labor and duty of drawing the rations and distributing them is entrusted to him; otherwise this is superintended by the first sergeant.
458. The ration is a legal allowance, and the soldier cannot arbitrarily be deprived of it. Yet it has been frequently withheld from the soldier in the past, under various pretenses, particularly where provisions were not on hand for issue at the time.
459. This is manifestly unjust; and no circumstances can justify the retaining of such rations, even where the full rations cannot be issued; for in such cases the deficiency should be commuted in money.
460. Every regimental or post commissary can provide for the full issue, or in lieu thereof, can pay the money-commutation; and commanding officers should be appealed to where they neglect or omit to do so.
461. When there are no funds on hand with which to commute back rations or such portions as are not on hand for issue, The commissary should give certificates to the companies of the amounts due, which may be issued subsequently, or commuted. The commutation-money on the savings of the rations forms the principal source from which the company fund is derived; and by a judicious management of this fund the comfort of the men may be materially enhanced.
462. A prudent administration of it depends very much on the first sergeant, as the company commander is greatly dependent on him for its proper disbursement. He calls the attention of the company commander to the requirements of the men, suggests what is needed, ascertains where it can be most economically obtained, makes purchases, and submits the bill to the company commander for payment.
463. The savings of the rations can be sold to the commissary only. ( Reg. 1188 and 1234. ) There are other sources of revenue to the company that go to increase the company fund. At posts on the frontier, and at permanent stations, the cultivation of a garden, whilst it increases the savings of the ration, may also produce a surplus, which may be sold and the proceeds added to the company fund. So also with the proceeds of ant sale of company property.
464. The cooking of the ration is an important duty, and greatly depends on the knowledge and experience of the non-commissioned officers; for in absence of a commissary sergeant the sergeants and corporals take turns superintending the cooks. ( See Cooks, Par. 269. )
465. Company Property. -By this is meant, in addition to the public property issued to the company, all those articles purchased by the company fund, or manufactured in the company. Such are the company desk and mess-chest, mechanics' tools, marking-implements, mess furniture, company library, &c.
466. By economical administration of this kind of property the comfort and harmony of ta company of soldiers are greatly increased. They feel that the acquisition of such articles is intended for their good, and each man performs his part taking care of them.
467. The company desk is necessary article of furniture for every company, in which the records of the company are kept. It is in the personal charge of the first sergeant, and should be made with compartments and draws for the books, papers, and stationery necessary for a company, and requires to be kept with method and order, to facilitate the making out of the various papers required for a company. It should be portable, and have a lid to turn down on which to write, so that it may be
set up at any time or place for use.
468. A mess-chest is another necessary article of furniture; and the ingenuity of soldiers has been taxed from time immemorial to make this article, as well as the company desk, in the greatest perfection.
469. Different circumstances and conditions require different modifications; and none have yet been invented to suit every case in which it is liable to be used. Large chests are inconvenient on account of transportation, and a small one does not contain sufficient.
470. A number of small ones, according to the size of the company, small enough to be easily handle by two men, and conveniently arranged for carrying the small rations and the mess furniture, have been found to be the best.
471. The mess-furniture may be from the simplest kind which is usually used in the field, to a complete hotel establishment, according to the location and circumstances of the company. At permanent posts they can be well situated in this respect, and have every convenience necessary. When required to move, if not able to take the mess-furniture with them, it can be sold, and a new supply obtained at their place of destination.
472. Tools and implements of various kinds are found to be very useful in a company. In the field, against the enemy, the supply must necessarily be very limited; but in time of peace a full supply of almost every kind may be accumulated for the general benefit.
473. To enumerate some of them, they are suggested in the order of their importance: - A set of marking-implements, a set of carpenter's tools, a set of blacksmith's tools, a sewing machine, shoemaker's tools, tinner's tools, garden-implements, seine or fish nets, &c.
474. A cow, to furnish milk in coffee, may often be conveniently kept, and several pigs may be fattened every month or two on the slop from the kitchen. A small library of well selected books is quite an acquisition to the company, gives occupation and entertainment to the men during their leisure hours, and has a tendency to keep them about their company quarters.
475. The foregoing will give some idea to what extent and perfection the administration of a company can be carried. The company is a small colony, which can live in peace, harmony, and comfort or be a disturbed by internal commotions and discomforts unendurable, depending, perhaps, more on the first sergeant than any other person in the company. Much depends upon the captain; but without a competent sergeant to execute his plans, any benevolent designs on his part for the
improvement of the company would be difficult to carry into execution.
476. There is no material difference in the duties of the first sergeant in the three arms of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, except some few modifications incident to the different kinds of arms used and the peculiar nature of the service.
477. In artillery and cavalry, some additional responsibility in the increase amount of property, different tactics, less compact or rather more straggling nature of the duties to be performed and the consequent difficulty of less discipline of the men, are the principal features which the first sergeant has generally to overcome, or should at least be familiar with before he attains the charge of the company.
478. The first sergeant, although he should be familiar with the duties of the sergeants and corporals, is seldom called upon to preform any duty that would remove him from his duties of his own position. He is, therefore, not liable for guard duty, or fatigue or detached service, unless the entire company is on the same. He is, however, not absolutely excluded from any special service of short duration that may be desirable, under peculiar circumstances, to intrust him with.
479. The most important task of the first sergeant relates to the government of the company. and the preservation of the good order and military discipline. This depending chiefly on innate qualifications, define rules, cannot easily be given. A complete control of temper, good judgement, and a strong sense of justice are essential; whilst a due application to duty and attention to the necessities of the men are also, of highest importance.
480. Whilst he is not expected to preserve the same distance between himself and the men that exists between the and the officer, his position, indeed, not allowing of it, he should always endeavor to preserve a certain amount of restraint, and select his intimates from the first sergeants of other companies or non-commissioned officers of merit of other grades.
481. A quite, imperturbable temper, combined with firmness and resolution will of itself enforce obedience and command respect. Excitability and passion cannot easily be divested of prejudice and injustice, and have a tendency to excite similar feelings in the men.
482. Partiality and favor to individuals should be avoid above all things. The men should be treated with the greatest equality. Harsh and violent treatment, even towards the worst soldiers, are questionable, if not reprehensible means for governing them.
483. It is rare, indeed, that the practice of summary chastisement indulged in by some orderly sergeants with the unruly characters that are to be found in almost every company, can be regarded as successful. Individual instances, however, exist of very good government, where the sergeant rules almost exclusively by physical force; but good judgement in forbearing to a point where the offender has placed himself by his conduct, will be found to be the truest secret of success in a
physical-force policy.
484. Constantly present with the company, always on hand for every emergency, ever consulting the interest of the men and encouraging them in their duties, he cannot fail to attach them to the company, and make them cheerful and content, and faithful on duty.