Ancient Marines, Part 3/3

Here is the third chunk.

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Part 3 of 3

Happily for us, our seamen have never been driven into mutiny, nor does it seem possible that such a deplorable condition of affairs could ever be brought about as would cause an absolute antagonism between them and the Marines. Still, as the legally established "sharp-shooters " and necessary military element of our sea-forces, our Marine Corps should jealously guard its integrity as a military body "par excellence."

In 1804 an artillery company was attached to each of the three divisions of the Royal Marine Corps, to supply the service of the bomb-vessels, and in time of peace to drill the whole of the Marines in gunnery. But they were soon available for other purposes, and on the outbreak of the war of 1812, a large body of the Marine Artillery, with a field battery and locket equipment, accompanied the battalions of Marines then formed for service in America. Later, Sir Howard Douglass complimented the Marine Artillery as being "either a corps of good infantry, of scientific bombardiers, or expert field artillery-men, well constituted, thoroughly instructed, and ably commanded." After fluctuating in numbers through several years, the Corps was so augmented that in 1859 it numbered three thousand officers and men, and was formed into a separate division, with its headquarters at Fort Cumberland.

The military education of the officers of the Royal Marine Artillery is thorough, and such as could be heartily wished were introduced somewhat into our own Marine Corps. The cadet Marines have to study for two years, more or less, during which they are expected to acquire a competent knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, plane trigonometry, the use of the sextant, fortification, English history, and French. To this may be added a practical course in naval gunnery. If on obtaining his commission, the young Marine officer is selected to qualify for the Artillery, he must be prepared at the end of a year to pass an examination in analytical trigonometry, differential and integral calculus, conic sections, statics and dynamics, hydrostatics and steam, besides being required to have an increased knowledge of fortification. The men are volunteers from the light infantry divisions, possessing certain specified qualifications as to age, height, intelligence and character.

The course of training, which is, with a few exceptions, common to both officers and men, is very comprehensive : it includes the usual infantry drills and musketry instruction; the exercise of field guns and rockets, with such field battery movements as are of real practical importance; the service of heavy ordnance, including heavy guns, howitzers, and sea and land service mortars; the naval great gun exercise; mounting and dismounting ordnance, with and without machines; the various methods of slinging and transporting ordnance; knotting and splicing and fitting gun gear; use of pulleys, etc.; a laboratory course, including use and preparation of tubes, rockets and fuses, making up cartridges, manufacture of port fires, signal lights, rockets, and explosive compounds; a course of practical gunnery, comprising instruction in the nature and uses of the various kind of guns, howitzers and mortars, of projectiles, sighting ordnance, use of red-hot shot, and such matters connected with the theory of projectiles as may have a practical application.*

• "Military Schools and Course of Instruction in the Science and Art of War." Henry Barnard, LL. D. New York, 1872.

The United States Marine Corps has well sustained the high reputation for steadfast courage and loyalty which has been handed down to it from the days of Themistocles. But like their modern prototypes of Great Britain, they have felt the want of proper appreciation. In the resolution of Congress of November 10, 1775, to raise two battalions to be called "first and second battalions of American Marines," it was enjoined that " no person be enlisted into said battalion but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve with advantage by sea:" clearly showing that our legislators of that day, at least, had little conception of the nature of a properly organized Marine Corps. Unfortunately, the erroneous ideas expressed in that act seem more or less to have been transmitted to the present time; for, strange as it may appear, the Corps, while it has its own peculiar organization, is yet without any regimental organization. It would seem to be to the interest of our Marine Corps that it should be brigaded, — the full number allowed by law being three thousand and seventy-four, * though practically reduced by the amount of the annual appropriation, — and companies, or parts of companies, with their proper officers detailed for duty afloat. This course, in connection with the educating of the young Marine officers at West Point, would soon bring our Marine Corps up to that high military standard which it is quite safe to say all naval as well as all Marine officers desire to see it attain.

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