Final Segment: Suggested Marine Reform Piece from the 1840s

I hope this was worth the wait!

--

Here it will be observed that no provision is made for furnishing Frigates, Steamers and Sloops of War, other than the Commodore's Flag Ships, with Marine officers ; and this unprovided-for majority of vessels of our squadron cruising on foreign stations, would more than absorb the small number of subaltern officers remaining at the Marine Depots. Any person acquainted with Naval affairs, will readily admit that it is almost indispensable that a Captain of Marines should be stationed on board the Flag Ship of a squadron ; for, if not a ship of the line, it certainly would be a Frigate of the first class, and a company of sixty Marines at least, the Commander-in-Chief of a squadron is entitled to. By the same rule, said company should have its appropriate officers, more especially if it were in contemplation to land the naval forces for a combined attack upon a city or fortress of an enemy, would the services of a Marine officer of assimilated rank to a Naval Lieut. be needed, that he might assume the command of the Marines of the squadron untrammelled by an unwarrantable dictation.

But to make the number of officers herein detailed, equivalent to the bona fide exigencies of the service, we'll allow the Commodore's ship only one Lieut., with the Captain, and thus will there remain six to add to the twelve Lieuts., not definitely disposed of in this schedule, and who, in conjunction with the duties before enumerated, would be eligible for sea service elsewhere, in other ships of the squadrons.

This arrangement would leave four Captains and about six Lieuts. with each division of the Brigade, who, conjointly with those stationed at the Navy Yards, could be advantageously employed in drilling recruits until they were thoroughly educated in all the exercises pertaining to the profession of a soldier, which must render them ever after serviceable to the country at large, whether under the immediate control of the Government or otherwise. At the same time, those officers at all of the Shore Stations would but form a relief, and scarcely that, it must be acknowledged, for those on sea service; but any change, however onerous or arduous the duty, would be preferable to the present supineness, which has a tendency to wear out the energies of an officer far more than the most vigorous service.

An opposition might possibly arise to defeat the proposition of stationing a Frigate's guard of Marines at the several Navy Yards, for the police regulations for those military establishments throughout the United States. At present the Corps is cut up into small detachments, and posted, less or more, at all the Naval stations, whence they are detached in squads, to join vessels fitting for sea service; but so inadequately apportioned with'the rank and file, are all those stations', that the legitimate purposes are, and mast necessarily be, but indifferently subserved. At the commencement of the Indian difficulties in the Floridas, more than ten years ago, the Commandant of the Marine Corps patriotically offered his services, with those of the forces under his command, to the Secretary of War, to co-operate with the Army against the Indians in the Hammocks, pestilent swamps and everglades of Florida.

This offer was readily accepted, and to effect the object most efficiently, officers and privates were withdrawn from the Naval Stations, concentrated at one point, and conveyed or marched down to the field of operations. During the absence of the Corps, it was necessary that watchmen should be provided for the Navy Yards, and consequently, citizens were taken from other occupations and placed in the yards, with sticks in their hands, but no other insignia of office to distinguish them as a Police force, to protect the public property. After hard service of three or four years duration, in the health destroying marshes of the Peninsula of Florida, against the wily Indian foe, what remained of the Corps returned to the North, to resume their former stations. But then it "was ascertained that the Marines were too few in number to perform all the duties required of them at the Navy Yards, and on board vessels of war; thereupon a proposition was made to increase the Corps, and no doubt is entertained but that it would have been effected, at that time, but for the expression of the views of some of the Commanders of the different Naval Stations. When called upon for information, with regard to the employment of Marines in the Navy Yards, some of them declared that they preferred the services of watchmen ; and this, at once, furnished Hon. Members of Congress with arguments against the expediency of increasing the Corps—for the slightest whisper from an experienced Naval officer, in opposition to the measure, was of more importance than loudest tones of eloquence in its favor. What were the ulterior views, if any, of those Naval officers, have never transpired; but that the system of retaining watchmen in the Navy Yards is not one of economy, can be fully established by irrefragible figures, has been demonstrated on several occasions. It would be a work of supererogation to advert to this practice as it exists throughout the Naval Service at the several Navy Yards, but the strongest argument against any pre-conceived idea of saving Treasury Notes by the employment of watchmen instead of Marines, develops itself at the Naval Station near Pensacola. The watchmen at that Navy Yard are paid §1 70 per day, or $52 70 for a month of thirty-one days.

They are five in number and are employed to aid and assist the small guard of Marines—about thirtyfive, all told—in enforcing the police regulations of the service. Well, those five watchmen are maintained at a cost of $263 50 per month. Now, for the month, having the same number of days, Seventeen Marines would tax the Government $256 36—seven, dollars less than is paid the five watchmen—the rations for the guard having been contracted for at Pensacola, at IS cents per ration. And the Marines are always doing their appropriate duties, and " toujours pret" to be removed to any place where their services may be required. While the five watchmen taxing the Government more than Seventeen Marines, are, as locum renew, not liable to be removed, whatever may be the call for their services elsewhere, or to martial law, consonant with the Naval regulations; and can only be discharged if found guilty of gross negligence of duty involving tlje loss of any amount of public property. The ration for a Marine at New York, as per contract amounts to $3 66 per month—the whole cost of his support, including pay, clothing and rations, §13 16 per month.

A guard of fifty Marines stationed at each Navy Yard would be fully adequate for all the duties which are now performed by combining watchmen with the few Marines who can be spared from sea duty, for sentinels at the Navy Yard.
The Guards returned from a cruise at sea, and having a year to serve, might be transferred to the Naval Stations to finish the term, and that would ease off the last years of their enlistment, and incline them more favourably to re-enlist in the service.

As England and France, and even Russia, have determined forthwith to organize an immense Steam Navy, in which Marine forces will be extensively introduced, as Artillerists, in preference to seamen, would it not be judicious for our Government to investigate the subject impartially, so as to arrive, as near as possible, at the merits, or the cause, of a proposed innovation involving an important change in maritime warfare 1 Admirals Nelson, Sydney Smith, or Collingwood, would have been horrified at the bare idea of placing other than regular bred seamen to fight the guns of any sea-going vessel; but now, we are informed that this prejudice is rapidly wearing away, inasmuch as it is assumed to be an obsolete absurdity, no longer worthy the notice of any person of enlightened understanding.

And England has determined to adopt the plan proposed by the Prince de Joinville, of manning her Sea-Steamers with Sea-Soldiers, to do the fighting, while the seamen are working the ship. A writer observes, that England is not driven to the pursuit of this course by any scarcity of seamen for her Naval Service, but does it from a conviction that Marines, previously trained as Artillerists, load and fire with more accuracy, and far more expeditiously, than seamen. Now, the prospective importance of constructing Steam National Vessels for our Government service, looms more and more conspicuously in the horizon of the future.
If ever again scenes of strife should occur with our, and any European Government—if England or France, or the two powers combined, should come down upon us, our main dependence would be upon Steamers. We are not going to cross the Atlantic to "carry the war into Africa" or any other trans-Atlantic country, but here, at home, within the waters of our own dominions, we should stand on the defensive, and defy the world. We have abundant resources within ourselves—a country teeming with corn, wine, and oil; and while the husbandmen were tilling the earth, fighting men would defend them in their homes. But to make this defence effectual, we need a large increase of Steam Vessels. The construction of Brigs and Schooners should be forthwith abandoned, at once and forever!—they only prove sea-coffins for gallant officers and brave seamen; but strongly constructed vessels, with steam for the great motive power, and sails as auxiliary, we require to navigate with safety upwards of three thousand miles of our exposed sea-coast. With steam and sails, judiciously blended, one might almost defy the elements; the intricate passages through the Bahama Shoals could be securely performed at all seasons, and the Northers of the Gulf of Mexico might be headed off" with ease, despite their blustering. Depots of coal, for steamers, in the Gulf of Mexico, might be established at the Belize, or on the Island of Barataria—and the bowels of the Cumberland Mountains, far in the in
service of our country, would furnish an abundance of tho article mainly to bs depended upon for the defence of the Atlantic sea-board.

And tlio West, too, would send, down the father of rivers, her young men to New Orleans, to enlist as Marines. To perfect them in the musket and bayonet exercise might soon be accomplished, for all are more or less acquainted with the rifle and musket, and to train them as Artillerists would not consume much longer time. This matter should be looked to in season, for if ever we-do have another war with any European Nation, the fighting will, doubtless, be mostly on the open sea. And in any emergency, even approximating a climax such ns alluded to, an admirable school for the Sea-Soldier would be tho Marine Depots at Washington ,D. C, and at Brooklyn, N. Y. Even if no maratime power should ever again be waged against us, Government Steamers, cruising on the Home Station, from Maine to Texas—from the coast of Labrador to the Bay of." Campeachy—might frequently be instrumental, especially in the winter season, in preserving a vast amount of property belonging to citizens of the United States, and, at tho same time, many valuable lives.. All the seamen that con be procured are required for pailing vessels going wt long cruises on foreign stations, far from home, and whenever Marines can be effectually substituted for seamen, we should follow the example of tha greatest Nations of Europe, in the experiment, at least, and an indubitable advantage would be the result.

The very lowest estimate, it will be observed, has been made in distributing the officers of Marines for the performance of the most indispensable duties. In the Army and Navy, seldom are only two officers detailed to relieve each'other on guard duty, as it is considered too confining, and Injurious to their health, particularly in warm climates. In the foregoing schedule, only two duty officers—Lieut's—have been assigned for Navy Yards, but three is generally the smallest number ordered for service. Yet, as previously asserted, any change tending to improve the service, will be hailed with gratitude by the Marine officers.

Among themselves they will have to adopt tho motto, " The Corps Expects Every Man To Do His Duty," and that will ensure to each and a[l an equal degree of leisure, and partially relieve the service from an ... confinement which would be far from agreeable to say the least. Those at sea more especially, should be regularly relieved, without a moment's hesitation on the part of the officers ordered, for this part of a Marine officer's duty is more burdensome any other. Not only is he separated from his home, wife and family, for a three year's cruise—around the Horn, perhaps—but his pay is reduced by lopping off the emoluments allowed while he is stationed on shore. .In order to apportion the duties at sea so that all will equally have a station on shore, an officer after returning from a cruise, should have the preference of his post, and no favor should bo expected by those serving at the different stations, while such officer was at sea, other than fair and equal justice demanded. If at any time n Board fit Surgeons should condemn an officer, as physically unseaworthy, there should be a retired list where he might be disposed of, out of the way or those capable of Dealing any burden. A retired list for the Marine Service is more imperatively necessary than for either Army or Navy; for the' number of officers is,.and would be even if increased, so limited that all should be required to bear an equal part in sea and shore duty.

If from physical disability an officer is incapacitated for sea service, he cannot expect to hold his position in the line of promotion and have a constant station, on shore duty, where he is in receipt of the highest pay given a Marine officer. It would be doing rank injustice to an officer just returned from sea to permit it; and the delicate sense of tho recipient of any such favor would make him carefully anxious to avoid the position. Nearly all the governments of Europe have a retired list arranged, some one way and some another, but that of England is the most perfect.

There they have a regularly established retired pay for such as have seen long and arduous service, and perhaps been wounded in the discharge of their duties to their King. Their pay is according to grade of rank, and is amply sufficient for a decent competency.

Such being the disposition made of old and faithful servants of monarchial governments, is it not equally righteous that the government of the United States—increasing in magnitude and rising in wealth and influence dally, as it is, should make a similar provision for its long tried servitors 1 Let it not be said, in reference to our government, that " Republics are ever ungrateful to those who serve them best." It would be an over generous clemency, worthy a great nation, to establish a respectable retired list for the disabled officer who had received his injuries in the service of his country, and at the same time one of justice towards those who are over ready, willing and able to go whereever they may be ordered, and do whatever is to be done, in the line of their duty. Captains of Marines have already been from twenty-five to thirty long years in the service, and if any of them should be incapacitated for the duties appertaining to their grade, doubtless for the good of the service to which they have been so long attached, they would cheerfully retire. No other consideration except disability would induce them to listen to the proposition, for'a soldier's honor and his profession become identified, and the love of the service in which he has spent long years of his life, his ruling passion.

NOTE.—In the preceding pages it will he seen that no mention has been made of the Staff Officers—in this organization more essential than ever—as they will, doubtless, be removed from the line, if it has not been so arranged already—as per Army regulations.

===

Here's a drill from Parris Island.

Suggested Marine Reform Piece from the 1840s 4/5

This Corps, as at present organized, labors under many disadvantages which would be to a considerable degree obviated, if divided into Regiments and concentrated at two depots, as previously suggepted. The law re-organizing the Marine Corps in 1835, provided that there should be 1 Colonel Commandant, 1 Lt. Colonel, 4 Majors, 13 Captains, 20 1st Lieuts., and 20 2d Lieuts., with non-commissioned officers, musicicians and privates—the whole number not to exceed one thousand men.

The object in furnishing so large a number of subaltern officers, was, that they might serve with detachments at Navy Yards, or at sea, in naval vessels. Within the last past ten years, our foreign Naval Stations have been increased so as to demand the addition of many vessels tothe number employed by the Department prior to that time; consequently the call for Marines for guards on board those vessels, was greater than could be complied with, and rendered it necessary, under the restriction, that the ' number should be reduced to fifteen men—a Sergeant's guard—for a first class Sloop of War. The reduction was not only concurred in, but actually approved of and recommended, by the late Board of Navy Commissioners, notwithstanding the remonstrances of several Commanders against the decision, as rendering the police guartl of so large a ship very inefficient. This small measure of political economy served neither one purpose nor another. The Sergeant was so much in the minority, that the men were frequent aggrieved and left without the hope of redress ; and the legitimate officer—a Lieutenant—who ought to have had the command of twenty-five or thirty men, at least, on board a Sloop of War, was left unemployed on shore- At this stage of the action, a former Secretary of the Navy abrogated the fine spun regulation of the Navy Commissioners, and ordered that a Lieutenant, with the former complement of Marines, should be stationed on board all vessels of a class superior to a Brig. Here we come to the impossibility of complying with this order for the want of men.

Non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, are required to fill up the guards of every vessel in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. Marine officers are sick and disgusted with the present condition of the service. On board our vessels they are frequently left with a small squad of from fifteen to eighteen men, subjects of remarks and insolent inuendo from the crew, and badinage with the naval officers. What has the Marine Corps ever done to merit the cold shoulder from those who seem anxious to foster other branches of the general service 1 Has it ever flinched from its duty 1 I doubt if a single instance can be pointed out. During the last war with England, they stood firm with old Commodore Barry, at Bladensburgh, until they were cut down or made prisoners. In the fight with the Malays, at Qualla-Baltoo, on the coast of Sumatra, they led the van amid a host of the savage enemy. Pending the Indian difficulties in the swamps of Florida, with- their veteran commander to lead them, they enacted a part that received, and merited, the just applause of the whole army. At sea, too, in the different engagements, doubtless, the Marines have done good service ; but they are seldom if ever alluded to by naval heroes.

Then let me ask again, what can be the cause of the prejudice which has been so often displayed against a small Corps which has received less favors from Government than any other, in either Army or Navy?

If doubts should be entertained of its capacity to sustain itself, just let our rulers put it to the test—add a thousand men, divide it into regiments, •place its worthy General in command, and transport it to Tampico or Vera Cruz, and when next was heard the news of a fight in Mexico, if the Marines had not borne a conspicuous part in the thickest of the affray, why I, for one, shall have nothing more to say.

To create two Regiments of Infantry out of the Corps, would but require the small addition of eight 2d Lieutenants to the list of officers, and the promotion of a like number of old 1st Lieuts. of eighteen and twenty years standing, to the rank of Captains, and other improvements of trifling importance.

To organize a Brigade of Marines, as previously intimated, would but vauce the following veteran officers, viz : the Brevet Brigadier-General— whose long services at the head of the Corps, and gallant conduct in the Florida War, won his Brevet by a unanimous vote of the Senate—to a Brigadier-General, Commandant of the Brigade. The Lieut. Colonel— whose wounds attest the stand he made at Bladensburg, with the distinguished Com. Barry—and a Brevet Lt. Colonel—to the rank of Colonels, to command the Regiments. Two Majors—who have also had Brevets— to Lieut. Colonels ; then there would be one Major left, as the Corps is at present officered; consequently it would only be necessary to promote one Captain to a Majority, to complete the field officers of two Regiments of Marines, as will be seen by reference to the Navy Register. Now, as there would be twenty companies in two Regiments, a complement of twenty Captains, according to Infantry regulations, would be required to command them ; and, whereas, there would be but twelve Captains of Marines, as per present list, it would be necessary to promote eight old 1st Lieutenants—five of whom have been in the service upwards of twenty years—the other three about seventeen, and nearly all of them have wintered and summered every climate of this mundane sphere. Then, to complete the number of 1st Lieutenants—ten to each Regiment—the promotion of eight 2d Lieutenants—who have been, some over ten, and none under eight years, in the service—must ensue, and to sum up the whole, an addition of eight 2d Lieutenants would perfect the organization of the officers of the Regiment. Now, who under Heaven, after taking a fair and impartial view of this subject, can object to this arrangement of a portion of the Naval Service, ever ready, willing and anxious to perform any duty upon which it may be ordered, in either Army or Navy ? Here-in lies the advantage of the Marine forces. If their services can be dispensed with by the Navy, to shoulder their musket and act with the Army, is precisely in character with their training.

It may be objected that because detachments of Marines are constantly going and coming, as vessels are departing and returning to and from foreign stations, Regiments or Battalions cannot be kept together so as to act in concert with "effect. Now, any difficulty which might arise from the above cause, might be obviated in this way: We'll suppose that the Regiment at New York has been thinned out until the ten companies muster only fifty privates each—making the Regiment five hundred strong —and an order from Head-Quarters directs the Colonel to furnish 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants and 100 privates, for a line-of-battle ship ; well, even so, it need not break up the Regimental organization, for 10 men might be taken from each company, and still there would be 40 privates to a company remaining ; and the officers might be selected according to the roster for detached duty. But if a greater number were required, so as to reduce the companies still lower, the Regiments might be re-organized as a Battalion. But the great object would still be accomplished, of perfecting officers and privates in the Infantry tactics, by Companies, Battalions, and Regimentally, so as to join the Army in the field, if necessary, at any time, perfectly drilled, without previous admonition.

When the Captain of a company was ordered on detached duty, let the 1st Lieut. take command. If he, too, should be dispatched, give it to the 2d Lieut., if competent, else order an officer from another company, as Commander pro tern.
For exercise at the Battery of great guns, it were better that the men should be taken indiscriminately and drilled in all the various manoeuvres, from the 1st Captain of the gun, down to the powder boy. Thus would all become initiated in sponging, loading, and in short, all its ramifications.

It might be inquired, what would be the utility of making promotions and additions in the grade of officers 1 The reply naturally suggests itself —every Corps d' Jlrmee, Brigade, Regiment, &c, &c, must have a regularly organized complement of officers, either as Infantry, Artillery, or Cavalry—and, as an Infantry regiment has the smallest number of officers, it is herein proposed to assimilate the Marine Regiments to that of the Infantry, with regard to the officers.

The field officers are past the period of life, and are too advanced in rank, to act in a subordinate situation for sea service ; nevertheless, they are superior tacticians, and under the superintendence of the LieutenantColonels, and Majors, the drill of the Marine Batalions would be admirably efficient.

For the Captains and Subalterns, in the following category might they be advantageously disposed of: A Captain and two Lieuts. on board each Flag Ship of all stations—six in number; a Captaiij and two lieuts., with the guards at the Navy Yards at Pensacola, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Boston and Portsmouth.
New York and Washington Navy Yards could be accommodated with the requisite Marine Guards every morning regularly, from the Garrisons, m charge of a Lieutenant. Three 1st Lieuts. to command the guards of the receiving ships at Norfolk, New York and Boston ; one Captain and three 1st Lieuts. for the recruiting service. This arrangement would leave eight Captains and 12 Lieuts. for duty with the two principal divisions of the Brigade, and at the Navy Yards located near New York and Washington ; likewise for all contingent duties connected with those stations— in no wise an inconsiderable item.

This also pre-supposes that all and singular are invariably ready for the most arduous service, malgre the manifold ills of life which produce disease und disasters while on our trackless course from the cradle to the grave.

==

And now the Chuck Norris cadence...