I hope this was worth the wait!
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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.
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Here's a drill from Parris Island.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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.
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And now the Chuck Norris cadence...
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.
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And now the Chuck Norris cadence...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Suggested Marine Reform Piece from the 1840s 3/5
Back to this historical reform piece...part 3 out of 5.
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Another drawback upon the seaman is, that, when shipping at the rendezvous he receives three months advance, to fit himself out, but there is generally standing by him some evil specimen of a land-shark, who caters for his depraved appetite until he filches from him nearly every cent of the advance, and then sends him on board the receiving-ship, to work out what is termed the dead horse, with hardly a change of dunnage in his bag.
This is not invariably the case, but it often happens, and is beyond the control of the shipping officer.
When a Marine enlists, no money is advanced him, but he is immediately sent to the Marine Barracks, supplied with all necessary clothing, bed, bedding, and furniture for the mess-table, and forthwith put on drill. In three weeks he can be made perfectly an fait with the exercise of small arms ; and it would not require any very great exertion, or longer time, to make him as good a Sea-Artillerist as ever planked the deck of a ship.
In making up the crew of a Steam-Frigate, what can be the objection to sending on board of her a large guard of Marines, to take the place and do the duty of landsmen X In the afterguard, on the quarter-deck, and in the waist of a large ship, the Marines are generally quartered, and every candid, unprejudiced naval officer will readily admit that they are ever ready, able and willing, to perform any duty which may be assigned them. Besides, a Steam-Frigate, or steamer of any class, is not the vessel wherein the landsmen can learn the trade of a seaman ; that is, to hand-reef, steer, heave the lead, strap blocks, &c, &c, inasmuch as very little of such work has to be done on board those vessels. The sails are all light and seldom used, especially in a time of war, when rapid movements are imperatively requisite, and the expense not quite so much of an item., A steamer of the size of the Mississippi can employ, advantageously, a crew of three hundred men. Suppose the number composed of petty-officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, firemen, coal-heavers and Marines—without a landsman or boy on board of her—would not that ship be well manned.
I can point out several officers in the service who will agree with me, unconditionally, as to the fact—and even go farther, in asseverating that if one-third of the whole number was made up of Marines, it would bo preferable far, beyond the present arrangement. Shoveling coal, keeping up the fires, and fighting guns, can be as well done by Marines as seamen. The proposition herein advanced will, undoubtedly, be objected to by a few of our gallant old Commodores. But if, as in the British service, they were complimented with the rank and titles of Major General, Brigadier, and Colonel of Marines, in conjunction with that of their naval rank, beyond peradventure, they would advocate the experiment.
But all must allow that lancemen and apprentices will obtain a superior nautical education, both in theory and practice, on board a square-rigged sailing Cruiser, than a fore-and-aft Steamboat.
" English seamen are not, like soldiers, bound to serve for life ; and it " is notorious that the American Navy is manned with sailors educated u on board the Excellent. The inutility as well as the danger of this establishment cannot be make too public, or be too strongly urged on the * notice of Parliament. It is useless, because a Steam Navy will, ere " many years elapse, be the main Navy of England; and then the bat" teries of our ships of war will be, as in the Turkish Navy, served by " soldiers, whilst a few sailors will suffice for the purpose of navigation.
" Prejudice and professional pride will be slow in acknowledging this ; "but I am not singular in the belief that the sailor's occupation, as a " warrior, will soon be only a matter of history."
The above extract is from the " United Service Journal," a British paper, published exclusively to chronicle all matters of importance transpiring in the Naval and Military Services of Great Britain.
Here we have an article, evidently written by a naval officer, reprobating, in strong terms, the folly of educating seamen in the practice of ]VIarine Gunnery on board the Excellent—a three-decker attached to the Portsmouth station. His object is, to show that those erratic subjects of the British Queen who have adopted the ocean as their home, do not regard her as Queen of the seas; and therefore, after having been taught the art and mystery of fighting a gun to perfection, by her most loyal naval officers, at a home station, betake themselves to whichever country they please ; but most generally prefer the Naval Service of the United States. But it will be seen that this writer's argument runs in favor of a Steam Navy, and Sea-Soldiers—-id est, Marines. He coincides with, and, in laudatory terms adopts, the theory of the Prince de Joinville—which is, that ere the lapse of many years, steamers will entirely supersede sailing vessels for naval purposes.
If Great Britain and France should thus rear up an immense Steam Navy to be manned by Marines, principally, for the defence of their seacoasts, and other service, in naval operations, why should not our Government pursue the same course, or at least attempt the experiment.
We have aa area of sea-cost comprising some thousands of miles— from Passamaquoddy, in Maine, to the Rio Grande, in Texas; and a more defenceless coast is not to be found in the Map of the World. And for our Home Squadron, every vessel should be a steamer. Events are daily portraying that sailing vessels, as cruisers, in the Gulf of Mexico, are not comparable with steamers, for comfort, safety and efficiency, in time of peace or seasons of warfare.
And if England and France should find it advantageous to make up the complement of a steamer's crew with a large proportion of Marines, certainly our Government should not for a moment delay following the example, for the difficulty of obtaining seamen for our vessels of war is rather increasing as the call far them becomes more importunate. The Steam-Frigate Mississippi, with a Commodore's pendant, has a Marine guard of 19 privates, with 4 non-commissioned officers. The steamers Vixen and Spitfire, with Commanders as their Captains, although adverse to sailing without a proper guard, are without any; and the Princeton may have five or six ; and there is not one ship of the Gulf Squadron having more than half a guard of Marines on board her. In boat expeditions, in cutting out vessels, or attacking any fortified place on shore, the British mainly depend upon their Marines; but in taking possession of Tampico, the small squad of Marines of our Squadron Was Hardly Discernible in the arrangements for the attack.
Good and efficient men, who have served in the Army and the Corps, would gladly re-enlist, but they cannot be taken, because an order from \ the Department prohibits the opening of a rendezvous, as there are now S a larger number enlisted than the law allows. • • A rendezvous might be opened at New Orleans, and other ports where steamers resort, and companies of Marines enlisted in a very short time, composed of men who have been in steam vessels the standing part of their lives, on the Mississippi and other rivers, and with musket or Paix han on board a steamer, they would make themselves the principal feature of the war.
A short time prior to the adjournment of the last Session of Congres*, J the Hon. George Bancroft submitted a report on the Re-Organization of the Marine Corps. It wa3 very evident that the Hon. Secretaiy had some idea of a plan, but the mathematical demonstration was not so clearly developed as to satisfy the sagacious wisdom of the concentrated Congress of this great Nation. His proposition was, to establish two principal Depots, at which the Marines, formed in two divisions, should be quartered. , New York and Washington, or Norfolk, were the places recommended J for the Northern and Southern Stations. Now, this was admirably con" ceived ; and herein I will endeavor more fully to illustrate the views of I others—men of military education—on this subject.
In the first place, it will be necessary, to meet the exigencies of the Naval Service, to make an addition of one thousand men to the Corps, and then form i^ as a Brigade, composed of two Regiments.
Secondly—The Brigade to be commanded by a Brigadier-General, and the two Regiments officered precisely according to the Infantry regulations. For each Regiment—1 Col.; 1 Lieutenant-Col.; 1 Mojor; 10 Captains ; 10 1st Lieuts., and 10 2d Lieuts.—and this would involve but a trifling addition to the number of officers attached to the Corps.
Thirdly—The first Regt. should be stationed at Washington, which is, and should be, the Head-Quarters of the Commanding General—where are now erected Officer's Quarters, Barracks, Hospital, and all other buildings for the accommodation of over a thousand men.
The second Regt. might be quartered at Brooklyn, where land can be purchased, for a Parade and the erection of the necessary Buildings, at a very cheap rate. Thus would the U. S. Marines be concentrated in two divisions—a miniature representation of a more gigantic system, to be sure—at two given poirrts, North and South. The first division, at Washington, would furnish Marines for vessels fitting out at the Navy Yards at Philadelphia, Washington, and Norfolk.
The second division, at Brooklyn, might furnish Marines for ships, &c, commissioned at the Naval Stations at New York, Boston, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Fourthly—There should be a battery of about ten 32 pounder guns on carriages such as are used at sea, mounted on a platform, fashioned so as to represent the half deck of a ship, with ports, eye-bolts, ring-bolts, guntackle, and, in short, all the appendages of a Man-of-War's broad-side, at which tha Marines might be daily exercised, after having attained a thorough knowledge of Infantry tactics, &c. The construction pf this platform, for a battery, would be attended with but little expense, 4nd the guns, carriages, rigging, and all other articles requisite, might be/oorrowed from the condemned lots in the Navy Yards, which, for the purpose, would be admirably adapted.
By the adoption of this system of artillery exercise, a well-instructed Company of artillerists would be ever ready to go on board a sea-steamer or sailing vessel, and the officers be relieved from the onerous duty of constantly exercising them at the guns, which constant exercise has a tendency to rack and weaken the ships, from the effects of running the guncarriages with tremendous force against the waterways and bulworks, which, if the ship be rolling in a rough sea, it is impossible to avoid.
Fifthly—A detachment consisting of the rank and file of about a Frigate's guard, commanded by a Captain, with two Lieutenants, should be detailed for duty at each of the several Naval Stations, where their services would be far more efficient, and less expensive, than the present arrangement for guarding the vast amouat of public property deposited within the Naval Depots.
Not only would this Marine Guard perform its duty with the strictest integrity, for which the officers are held accountable, at the Navy Yards, but, as a company of United States troops, the local authorities might avail themselves of their assistance on any emergency—on any sudden outbreak, riot, fire, or execution of piratical offender against the laws of nations. For the accommodation of such detachments, ample quarters are provided at all the Naval Stations in the United States.
==
In a few days I'll have the final pieces up.
==
Another drawback upon the seaman is, that, when shipping at the rendezvous he receives three months advance, to fit himself out, but there is generally standing by him some evil specimen of a land-shark, who caters for his depraved appetite until he filches from him nearly every cent of the advance, and then sends him on board the receiving-ship, to work out what is termed the dead horse, with hardly a change of dunnage in his bag.
This is not invariably the case, but it often happens, and is beyond the control of the shipping officer.
When a Marine enlists, no money is advanced him, but he is immediately sent to the Marine Barracks, supplied with all necessary clothing, bed, bedding, and furniture for the mess-table, and forthwith put on drill. In three weeks he can be made perfectly an fait with the exercise of small arms ; and it would not require any very great exertion, or longer time, to make him as good a Sea-Artillerist as ever planked the deck of a ship.
In making up the crew of a Steam-Frigate, what can be the objection to sending on board of her a large guard of Marines, to take the place and do the duty of landsmen X In the afterguard, on the quarter-deck, and in the waist of a large ship, the Marines are generally quartered, and every candid, unprejudiced naval officer will readily admit that they are ever ready, able and willing, to perform any duty which may be assigned them. Besides, a Steam-Frigate, or steamer of any class, is not the vessel wherein the landsmen can learn the trade of a seaman ; that is, to hand-reef, steer, heave the lead, strap blocks, &c, &c, inasmuch as very little of such work has to be done on board those vessels. The sails are all light and seldom used, especially in a time of war, when rapid movements are imperatively requisite, and the expense not quite so much of an item., A steamer of the size of the Mississippi can employ, advantageously, a crew of three hundred men. Suppose the number composed of petty-officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, firemen, coal-heavers and Marines—without a landsman or boy on board of her—would not that ship be well manned.
I can point out several officers in the service who will agree with me, unconditionally, as to the fact—and even go farther, in asseverating that if one-third of the whole number was made up of Marines, it would bo preferable far, beyond the present arrangement. Shoveling coal, keeping up the fires, and fighting guns, can be as well done by Marines as seamen. The proposition herein advanced will, undoubtedly, be objected to by a few of our gallant old Commodores. But if, as in the British service, they were complimented with the rank and titles of Major General, Brigadier, and Colonel of Marines, in conjunction with that of their naval rank, beyond peradventure, they would advocate the experiment.
But all must allow that lancemen and apprentices will obtain a superior nautical education, both in theory and practice, on board a square-rigged sailing Cruiser, than a fore-and-aft Steamboat.
" English seamen are not, like soldiers, bound to serve for life ; and it " is notorious that the American Navy is manned with sailors educated u on board the Excellent. The inutility as well as the danger of this establishment cannot be make too public, or be too strongly urged on the * notice of Parliament. It is useless, because a Steam Navy will, ere " many years elapse, be the main Navy of England; and then the bat" teries of our ships of war will be, as in the Turkish Navy, served by " soldiers, whilst a few sailors will suffice for the purpose of navigation.
" Prejudice and professional pride will be slow in acknowledging this ; "but I am not singular in the belief that the sailor's occupation, as a " warrior, will soon be only a matter of history."
The above extract is from the " United Service Journal," a British paper, published exclusively to chronicle all matters of importance transpiring in the Naval and Military Services of Great Britain.
Here we have an article, evidently written by a naval officer, reprobating, in strong terms, the folly of educating seamen in the practice of ]VIarine Gunnery on board the Excellent—a three-decker attached to the Portsmouth station. His object is, to show that those erratic subjects of the British Queen who have adopted the ocean as their home, do not regard her as Queen of the seas; and therefore, after having been taught the art and mystery of fighting a gun to perfection, by her most loyal naval officers, at a home station, betake themselves to whichever country they please ; but most generally prefer the Naval Service of the United States. But it will be seen that this writer's argument runs in favor of a Steam Navy, and Sea-Soldiers—-id est, Marines. He coincides with, and, in laudatory terms adopts, the theory of the Prince de Joinville—which is, that ere the lapse of many years, steamers will entirely supersede sailing vessels for naval purposes.
If Great Britain and France should thus rear up an immense Steam Navy to be manned by Marines, principally, for the defence of their seacoasts, and other service, in naval operations, why should not our Government pursue the same course, or at least attempt the experiment.
We have aa area of sea-cost comprising some thousands of miles— from Passamaquoddy, in Maine, to the Rio Grande, in Texas; and a more defenceless coast is not to be found in the Map of the World. And for our Home Squadron, every vessel should be a steamer. Events are daily portraying that sailing vessels, as cruisers, in the Gulf of Mexico, are not comparable with steamers, for comfort, safety and efficiency, in time of peace or seasons of warfare.
And if England and France should find it advantageous to make up the complement of a steamer's crew with a large proportion of Marines, certainly our Government should not for a moment delay following the example, for the difficulty of obtaining seamen for our vessels of war is rather increasing as the call far them becomes more importunate. The Steam-Frigate Mississippi, with a Commodore's pendant, has a Marine guard of 19 privates, with 4 non-commissioned officers. The steamers Vixen and Spitfire, with Commanders as their Captains, although adverse to sailing without a proper guard, are without any; and the Princeton may have five or six ; and there is not one ship of the Gulf Squadron having more than half a guard of Marines on board her. In boat expeditions, in cutting out vessels, or attacking any fortified place on shore, the British mainly depend upon their Marines; but in taking possession of Tampico, the small squad of Marines of our Squadron Was Hardly Discernible in the arrangements for the attack.
Good and efficient men, who have served in the Army and the Corps, would gladly re-enlist, but they cannot be taken, because an order from \ the Department prohibits the opening of a rendezvous, as there are now S a larger number enlisted than the law allows. • • A rendezvous might be opened at New Orleans, and other ports where steamers resort, and companies of Marines enlisted in a very short time, composed of men who have been in steam vessels the standing part of their lives, on the Mississippi and other rivers, and with musket or Paix han on board a steamer, they would make themselves the principal feature of the war.
A short time prior to the adjournment of the last Session of Congres*, J the Hon. George Bancroft submitted a report on the Re-Organization of the Marine Corps. It wa3 very evident that the Hon. Secretaiy had some idea of a plan, but the mathematical demonstration was not so clearly developed as to satisfy the sagacious wisdom of the concentrated Congress of this great Nation. His proposition was, to establish two principal Depots, at which the Marines, formed in two divisions, should be quartered. , New York and Washington, or Norfolk, were the places recommended J for the Northern and Southern Stations. Now, this was admirably con" ceived ; and herein I will endeavor more fully to illustrate the views of I others—men of military education—on this subject.
In the first place, it will be necessary, to meet the exigencies of the Naval Service, to make an addition of one thousand men to the Corps, and then form i^ as a Brigade, composed of two Regiments.
Secondly—The Brigade to be commanded by a Brigadier-General, and the two Regiments officered precisely according to the Infantry regulations. For each Regiment—1 Col.; 1 Lieutenant-Col.; 1 Mojor; 10 Captains ; 10 1st Lieuts., and 10 2d Lieuts.—and this would involve but a trifling addition to the number of officers attached to the Corps.
Thirdly—The first Regt. should be stationed at Washington, which is, and should be, the Head-Quarters of the Commanding General—where are now erected Officer's Quarters, Barracks, Hospital, and all other buildings for the accommodation of over a thousand men.
The second Regt. might be quartered at Brooklyn, where land can be purchased, for a Parade and the erection of the necessary Buildings, at a very cheap rate. Thus would the U. S. Marines be concentrated in two divisions—a miniature representation of a more gigantic system, to be sure—at two given poirrts, North and South. The first division, at Washington, would furnish Marines for vessels fitting out at the Navy Yards at Philadelphia, Washington, and Norfolk.
The second division, at Brooklyn, might furnish Marines for ships, &c, commissioned at the Naval Stations at New York, Boston, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Fourthly—There should be a battery of about ten 32 pounder guns on carriages such as are used at sea, mounted on a platform, fashioned so as to represent the half deck of a ship, with ports, eye-bolts, ring-bolts, guntackle, and, in short, all the appendages of a Man-of-War's broad-side, at which tha Marines might be daily exercised, after having attained a thorough knowledge of Infantry tactics, &c. The construction pf this platform, for a battery, would be attended with but little expense, 4nd the guns, carriages, rigging, and all other articles requisite, might be/oorrowed from the condemned lots in the Navy Yards, which, for the purpose, would be admirably adapted.
By the adoption of this system of artillery exercise, a well-instructed Company of artillerists would be ever ready to go on board a sea-steamer or sailing vessel, and the officers be relieved from the onerous duty of constantly exercising them at the guns, which constant exercise has a tendency to rack and weaken the ships, from the effects of running the guncarriages with tremendous force against the waterways and bulworks, which, if the ship be rolling in a rough sea, it is impossible to avoid.
Fifthly—A detachment consisting of the rank and file of about a Frigate's guard, commanded by a Captain, with two Lieutenants, should be detailed for duty at each of the several Naval Stations, where their services would be far more efficient, and less expensive, than the present arrangement for guarding the vast amouat of public property deposited within the Naval Depots.
Not only would this Marine Guard perform its duty with the strictest integrity, for which the officers are held accountable, at the Navy Yards, but, as a company of United States troops, the local authorities might avail themselves of their assistance on any emergency—on any sudden outbreak, riot, fire, or execution of piratical offender against the laws of nations. For the accommodation of such detachments, ample quarters are provided at all the Naval Stations in the United States.
==
In a few days I'll have the final pieces up.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Suggested Marine Reform Piece from the 1840s 2/5
O'er every sea our flag is borne—in every clime our merchants trade, and American seamen are naturally inclined to prefer the merchant service, for the reasons that they are better paid and have more freedom— that they have to work harder to earn their wages, is no object with ambitious Yankee sailors, who look forward to the time when, with care and economy, they may secure a small competency to support themselves in old age, independent of the cold charity of a hospital. In no country of the world, perhaps, is this so general as in the United States. No seamen of Europe are as well-informed, shrewd and calculating as those of our own nation, and that is the great reason why we have difficulty in manning our naval vessels.
In looking over an English paper, the " United Service Gazette," of a recent date, I find that the following was the completion of guards of Royal Marines embarked on board Her Majesty's ships forming the experimental squadron:
Trafalgar, complement—1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 146 Privates. Total, 160.
St. Vincent, complement—1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 146 Privates. Total, 160.
Rodney, complement—1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 138 Privates. Total. 150.
At this ratio some nine or ten vessels were furnished with Marines, not one of which vessels carried a heavier battery or varied materially in size from the line-of-battle ship Ohio—which ship, during her last cruise in the Mediterranean, had a complement of 40 Marines.
" But," said an honorable Member of the House of Representatives, in a speech opposing the increase of the Corps"—Marines are not required in our Naval Service, as in that of Great Britain. Seamen are not pressed into our service, and therefore no Marines are necessary to shoot them down like dogs." This honorable gentleman had certainly lost the run of English history for the last past thirty years, or he must have known that at the expiration of England's big war with France, about 1816, the law of impressment was abrogated by the British Parliament; but instead of abolishing the Marine arm of the service, they have gone on steadily to increase it, up to this time.
Great Britain never employed Marines to shoot down seamen, but to maintain order, decorum and subordination, in her powerful Naval Service. British officers invariably speak of the Royal Marines as the most efficient arm of the service, and if they are thus viewed by officers of the experience of those of the Navy of England, why should our own small squad, comparatively, look upon them with indifference if not positive aversion. Now, if England, with a host of resources for fitting out and manning single ships, fleets and squadrons, with as good seamen as the world can produce, still prefers to employ about one-fifth of Marines in making up a crew for a naval vessel, why should our Government hesitate to test the experiment ?
One hundred and fifty Marines are not requisite on board a vessel of any nation, as sentinels merely, but the duties generally, throughout various departments in a large ship, are, with more accuracy, and greater alacrity, performed by Marines than seamen. In saying this, the peculiar occupations of the seamen are not included. I do not mean to insinuate that men uninitiated in the art of splicing, rigging strapping blocks, and a thousand other mechanical operations of sailor-craft, can perform such work even in a degree ; but if the Master-at-Arms, the Ship's Corporals, the Purser's Steward, Yeomans or Captains of the Afterguard require assistance, the Marines are the first called upon.
And if we do not require Marines in our Navy to shoot down seamen, yet are there contingencies which sometimes occur, wherein those guards have nipped in the bud sudden outbreaks which might have resulted in catastrophies endangering the loss of a ship, with the lives of all on board. Even the small guards sent on board our cruizers at present, have ever acted with. the utmost regard for the maintenance of the proper authority of the officers, if any hostile feeling should be displayed towards them by the ship's company. Many occasions might be instanced, yet it would be superfluous, perhaps, to do so ; but I have been too frequently assured that the awful tragedy on board the late Brig Somers would never have taken place if a Corporal's guard of Marines had been among her crew, to relieve the officers in that dreadful emergency, (as avowed by Com. McKenzie in his defence before the Court Martial.)
A man will have to serve at least five years at sea, if not longer, ere he can pass muster as an able seaman, which entitles him to the highest pay of $12 per month! Yet there are more able-bodied men that have been five years following the sea, who ship as ordinary seamen, at $10 per month, than for the full pay of seamen.
Now, there are many very good men, from twenty to thirty years of age, who would like to take a cruise in a Man-of-War, but, on being made acquainted with the above facts, they will not enter the service, as landsmen, to serve an apprenticeship with no fairer prospects in view.
Well, this latter class will cheerfully enlist as Marines, for well they know that, from the date of their enlistment, they are entitled to the full established pay of an Infantry Soldier, $7 per month, with rations, clothing, small stores, &c, included; which is nearly, if not quite, as good as the wages given an able seaman, who has nothing but his rations found him, and not unfrequently, his clothes cost him over $5 per month, which is the difference in the monthly wages of the soldier and sailor.
--
And now for some daily motivation...
In looking over an English paper, the " United Service Gazette," of a recent date, I find that the following was the completion of guards of Royal Marines embarked on board Her Majesty's ships forming the experimental squadron:
Trafalgar, complement—1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 146 Privates. Total, 160.
St. Vincent, complement—1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 146 Privates. Total, 160.
Rodney, complement—1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 3 Sergeants, 3 Corporals, 2 Musicians, and 138 Privates. Total. 150.
At this ratio some nine or ten vessels were furnished with Marines, not one of which vessels carried a heavier battery or varied materially in size from the line-of-battle ship Ohio—which ship, during her last cruise in the Mediterranean, had a complement of 40 Marines.
" But," said an honorable Member of the House of Representatives, in a speech opposing the increase of the Corps"—Marines are not required in our Naval Service, as in that of Great Britain. Seamen are not pressed into our service, and therefore no Marines are necessary to shoot them down like dogs." This honorable gentleman had certainly lost the run of English history for the last past thirty years, or he must have known that at the expiration of England's big war with France, about 1816, the law of impressment was abrogated by the British Parliament; but instead of abolishing the Marine arm of the service, they have gone on steadily to increase it, up to this time.
Great Britain never employed Marines to shoot down seamen, but to maintain order, decorum and subordination, in her powerful Naval Service. British officers invariably speak of the Royal Marines as the most efficient arm of the service, and if they are thus viewed by officers of the experience of those of the Navy of England, why should our own small squad, comparatively, look upon them with indifference if not positive aversion. Now, if England, with a host of resources for fitting out and manning single ships, fleets and squadrons, with as good seamen as the world can produce, still prefers to employ about one-fifth of Marines in making up a crew for a naval vessel, why should our Government hesitate to test the experiment ?
One hundred and fifty Marines are not requisite on board a vessel of any nation, as sentinels merely, but the duties generally, throughout various departments in a large ship, are, with more accuracy, and greater alacrity, performed by Marines than seamen. In saying this, the peculiar occupations of the seamen are not included. I do not mean to insinuate that men uninitiated in the art of splicing, rigging strapping blocks, and a thousand other mechanical operations of sailor-craft, can perform such work even in a degree ; but if the Master-at-Arms, the Ship's Corporals, the Purser's Steward, Yeomans or Captains of the Afterguard require assistance, the Marines are the first called upon.
And if we do not require Marines in our Navy to shoot down seamen, yet are there contingencies which sometimes occur, wherein those guards have nipped in the bud sudden outbreaks which might have resulted in catastrophies endangering the loss of a ship, with the lives of all on board. Even the small guards sent on board our cruizers at present, have ever acted with. the utmost regard for the maintenance of the proper authority of the officers, if any hostile feeling should be displayed towards them by the ship's company. Many occasions might be instanced, yet it would be superfluous, perhaps, to do so ; but I have been too frequently assured that the awful tragedy on board the late Brig Somers would never have taken place if a Corporal's guard of Marines had been among her crew, to relieve the officers in that dreadful emergency, (as avowed by Com. McKenzie in his defence before the Court Martial.)
A man will have to serve at least five years at sea, if not longer, ere he can pass muster as an able seaman, which entitles him to the highest pay of $12 per month! Yet there are more able-bodied men that have been five years following the sea, who ship as ordinary seamen, at $10 per month, than for the full pay of seamen.
Now, there are many very good men, from twenty to thirty years of age, who would like to take a cruise in a Man-of-War, but, on being made acquainted with the above facts, they will not enter the service, as landsmen, to serve an apprenticeship with no fairer prospects in view.
Well, this latter class will cheerfully enlist as Marines, for well they know that, from the date of their enlistment, they are entitled to the full established pay of an Infantry Soldier, $7 per month, with rations, clothing, small stores, &c, included; which is nearly, if not quite, as good as the wages given an able seaman, who has nothing but his rations found him, and not unfrequently, his clothes cost him over $5 per month, which is the difference in the monthly wages of the soldier and sailor.
--
And now for some daily motivation...
Friday, January 28, 2011
Suggested Marine Reform Piece from the 1840s 1/5
The increase of this twig (branch it cannot be called,) of the regular service, is once more about to be brought forward for the consideration of the National Legislature. Little or no hope is entertained, by its friends, of success ; for the bill has been defeated so often by the machinations of those who are inimical to it, that nothing short of inspiration would lead the writer of this to dream of a successful issue of the present demonstration in its favor. For the last past ten years, the absolute necessity for the increase of this Corps has been fully apparent, and many of our most prominent statesmen in Congress have strenuously advocated the measure ; but others there were, who, not being familiar with the requirements of the Naval Service, had conferred with men who should have been it3 firmest supporters, from their position in the Navy, but from some unaccountable prejudice, those very men had impressed them with an idea that the Corps of Marines was a useless appendage to the Navy, insomuch that several honorable gentlemen became determinedly opposed to it.
"I am credibly informed by naval officers," said one Hon. Member, in his plate in the House of Representatives, " that the Marine Corps is an excrescence upon the Navy." Another observed that he too, had been " informed by distinguished officers in the Navy, that the only use made of Marines on board a ship, was to dress them up as mountebanks to act ^. as waiters, assistants at balls, soirees, &c." This occurred about eight years ago ; since then, the hostile feeling against the Corps has gradually diminished year by year, as the Commodores of the old school, one after "another,"shuffled off his mortal coil."
There are but few officers of the Navy proper, who still cherish the ig:r, noble feeling of absurd prejudice which characterized those of the ancient , regime ; still it is to be regretted that there yet remains a few, and the only reason that can be assigned for their opposition to a measure which many of their compeers have honorably and urgently recommended, is, -~. that they entertain a jealous supposition that if the Corps should be inS~ creased to a brigade, it would not be so immediately under their control as at preset; y.et..d.ou.btiless,. they .were too honorable to give utterance to their ...a large increase of the rank and file would have* been* -voterd during the last session of Congress, but for the very able Hon. George Bancroft, late Secretary of the Navy.
' The Corps,'at present, although more than full, consists of very little over one thousand, all told. During the year 1815, a greater number of vessels were fitted out at the different naval stations, for foreign service, than in any previous year since The war; and frequently the marine depots were stripped almost to a man, to furnish forth the guards of Frigates, Sloops and Brigs, about to depart for some foreign station. This was precisely the dilemma in which the Post at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, was found on the arrival of the Hon. George Bancroft at that station.
No doubt the Hon. Mr. Bancroft was very much astonished to find a Major commanding, a Captain and three Lieutenants, with an extensive paucity of the rank and file; and the only mystery is, why some officer did not make to the Honorable Secretary a correct statement of the disagreeable fact, that the privates of the Corps were sent on board vessels in small detachments, without a marine officer to command them ; consequently the officers remained at the Post anxiously awaiting orders from the Department for duty where their services were actually required, and might be beneficially rendered to the Government.
From the tenor of the Hon. Geo. Bancroft's report—doubtless in the misconception of the facts on the part of that Hon. functionary—Members of Congress were led to believe that it was the fault ©f the officers, and that the Corps of Marines, as a body, was little deserving of their consideration.
Now, if any gentleman should be called upon at present to report upon the subject, and one should be selected well acquainted with it, in all its ramifications, he would say: " On visiting the different naval stations, I have ascertained, from observation and inquiry, that the rank and file of the Corps of Marines is entirely inadequate for the well organization of Naval Service of a Government such as ours."
For Sloops of War and Brigs, only Sergeant's or Corporal's guards can be furnished. Ships of the line, Frigates and Steamers, are likewise very inefficiently supplied with Marine Guards, such as are requisite for a well organized internal arrangement, as a police and safeguard against dissension, riot and insubordination, among a heterogeneous crew composed of reckless seamen of almost every nation of the earth. From one of the oldest and ablest Captains in the Navy, I learn that the Marines are the most orderly, trust-worthy, sober and obedient men on board any vessel, of any class or size in our Navy.
The British Admiralty set a high value upon the services of their Marine forces. They have an army composed of thirty thousand Marines, and their drill is the most perfect of any arm of the Service. Not only are they made proficient in the exercise with musketry, as Infantry Soldiers, but, at two of their principal depots—Chatham and Woolwich—they are regularly trained as Sea-Artillerists ; and their competency has induced the Lords of the Admiralty to recommend that the crews of SteamFrigates shall be made up of nearly one-half Marines, and adduce for reason, that as the light sails of a steamer are only intended to bo used as aa auxiliary power, in pleasant weather, with favorable winds, the employment of seamen can be, to a greater or less extent, dispensed with, and Marines substituted advantageously. If the first maritime Nation of tho world sets the example of maintaining a large and well organized force of Marines, consisting of thirty thousand men, in her Naval Service, certainly the second can judiciously employ over one thousand; for the material of which an American Man-of-War's crew is made up, is far less orderly and well disciplined than that of a British Cruiser; because, foreigners enter our Naval Service, under an impression that liberty and equality prevail on board our national vessels in the same ratio that it does on shore; and, frequently, before they can be undeceived, their riotous conduct has a tendency to subvert the good order and regularity of a majority of the ship's company. And if England ha3 found it judicious and effectual to incorporate Marines so extensively with her Naval forces, how much more necessary it is that our Government should pursue a similar course, for of late we have had the greatest difficulty in obtaining seamen for the Navy. The cause of this is obvious to any nautical observer who has watched the rise and progress of our vast and extended commerce, and the surprising magnitude of our mercantile marine.
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Tune in for part 2!
"I am credibly informed by naval officers," said one Hon. Member, in his plate in the House of Representatives, " that the Marine Corps is an excrescence upon the Navy." Another observed that he too, had been " informed by distinguished officers in the Navy, that the only use made of Marines on board a ship, was to dress them up as mountebanks to act ^. as waiters, assistants at balls, soirees, &c." This occurred about eight years ago ; since then, the hostile feeling against the Corps has gradually diminished year by year, as the Commodores of the old school, one after "another,"shuffled off his mortal coil."
There are but few officers of the Navy proper, who still cherish the ig:r, noble feeling of absurd prejudice which characterized those of the ancient , regime ; still it is to be regretted that there yet remains a few, and the only reason that can be assigned for their opposition to a measure which many of their compeers have honorably and urgently recommended, is, -~. that they entertain a jealous supposition that if the Corps should be inS~ creased to a brigade, it would not be so immediately under their control as at preset; y.et..d.ou.btiless,. they .were too honorable to give utterance to their ...a large increase of the rank and file would have* been* -voterd during the last session of Congress, but for the very able Hon. George Bancroft, late Secretary of the Navy.
' The Corps,'at present, although more than full, consists of very little over one thousand, all told. During the year 1815, a greater number of vessels were fitted out at the different naval stations, for foreign service, than in any previous year since The war; and frequently the marine depots were stripped almost to a man, to furnish forth the guards of Frigates, Sloops and Brigs, about to depart for some foreign station. This was precisely the dilemma in which the Post at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, was found on the arrival of the Hon. George Bancroft at that station.
No doubt the Hon. Mr. Bancroft was very much astonished to find a Major commanding, a Captain and three Lieutenants, with an extensive paucity of the rank and file; and the only mystery is, why some officer did not make to the Honorable Secretary a correct statement of the disagreeable fact, that the privates of the Corps were sent on board vessels in small detachments, without a marine officer to command them ; consequently the officers remained at the Post anxiously awaiting orders from the Department for duty where their services were actually required, and might be beneficially rendered to the Government.
From the tenor of the Hon. Geo. Bancroft's report—doubtless in the misconception of the facts on the part of that Hon. functionary—Members of Congress were led to believe that it was the fault ©f the officers, and that the Corps of Marines, as a body, was little deserving of their consideration.
Now, if any gentleman should be called upon at present to report upon the subject, and one should be selected well acquainted with it, in all its ramifications, he would say: " On visiting the different naval stations, I have ascertained, from observation and inquiry, that the rank and file of the Corps of Marines is entirely inadequate for the well organization of Naval Service of a Government such as ours."
For Sloops of War and Brigs, only Sergeant's or Corporal's guards can be furnished. Ships of the line, Frigates and Steamers, are likewise very inefficiently supplied with Marine Guards, such as are requisite for a well organized internal arrangement, as a police and safeguard against dissension, riot and insubordination, among a heterogeneous crew composed of reckless seamen of almost every nation of the earth. From one of the oldest and ablest Captains in the Navy, I learn that the Marines are the most orderly, trust-worthy, sober and obedient men on board any vessel, of any class or size in our Navy.
The British Admiralty set a high value upon the services of their Marine forces. They have an army composed of thirty thousand Marines, and their drill is the most perfect of any arm of the Service. Not only are they made proficient in the exercise with musketry, as Infantry Soldiers, but, at two of their principal depots—Chatham and Woolwich—they are regularly trained as Sea-Artillerists ; and their competency has induced the Lords of the Admiralty to recommend that the crews of SteamFrigates shall be made up of nearly one-half Marines, and adduce for reason, that as the light sails of a steamer are only intended to bo used as aa auxiliary power, in pleasant weather, with favorable winds, the employment of seamen can be, to a greater or less extent, dispensed with, and Marines substituted advantageously. If the first maritime Nation of tho world sets the example of maintaining a large and well organized force of Marines, consisting of thirty thousand men, in her Naval Service, certainly the second can judiciously employ over one thousand; for the material of which an American Man-of-War's crew is made up, is far less orderly and well disciplined than that of a British Cruiser; because, foreigners enter our Naval Service, under an impression that liberty and equality prevail on board our national vessels in the same ratio that it does on shore; and, frequently, before they can be undeceived, their riotous conduct has a tendency to subvert the good order and regularity of a majority of the ship's company. And if England ha3 found it judicious and effectual to incorporate Marines so extensively with her Naval forces, how much more necessary it is that our Government should pursue a similar course, for of late we have had the greatest difficulty in obtaining seamen for the Navy. The cause of this is obvious to any nautical observer who has watched the rise and progress of our vast and extended commerce, and the surprising magnitude of our mercantile marine.
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Tune in for part 2!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Royal Marines Background, Part 2/2
Here is the second part.
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Part 2 of 2
From the nature of the marine service, at this period, few or no achievements occur which can be peculiarly attached to it as a corps. We find them honourably mentioned in the operations against St. Christopher's, and the successful attack upon Cork, under the aera of 1690. The detail of loss upon the former occasion is thus described, and evinces that their energies also, as soldiers, were called forth when occasion might require them. " In this action we had killed " and wounded upwards of 130 men, and Captain Keigwin, a " sea commander, who was appointed Colonel of the Marine Regiment, " (which consisted of about 230 seamen) was shot through the thigh, " of which wound he died, before he could be carried on board, and " Captain Brifbane, who acted as First Captain to the Marinesy receiving " a shot through the body, expired the next night on board the " Bristol."
Embodied under similar circumstances, they of course partook in the various services of debarkation, which the emergency of those times might have demanded, until the peace of Ryswick, which, for a while, closed the existence of marine forces.
The expences of King William's war, upwards of eight years' duration, are so moderate when contrasted with these of later days, that they merit a place in any retrospect which treats of that period ; and it is to be remarked that 40,000 seamen were maintained during the last years of it.
Total navy estimates allowed . . . £16,303,713 15 0 Total army do. do. , . . £18,487,671 17 10
In all, thirty-four millions seven hundred sixty-four thousand three hundred eighty-five pounds, twelve shillings and ten pence !
I cannot bid adieu to the transactions of this auspicious reign, »vhich has established the happiness and the liberties of my country, without commenting upon two events of it, that must be materially interesting to every military man—I mean the code of laws for the good order and discipline of our armies, and the grant of half-pay bestowed upon disbanded officers.
The first was adopted in an hour of urgent expediency, in order to restrain the uncontrouled outrages of a discontented soldiery, on account of arrears due to them. This act was passed in great haste upon the 12th day of April, 1689, and has progressively experienced these various improvements that arise out of occasions. It undergoes annually a legislative sanction, under the title of the Mutiny Bill.
• Half-pay was a gift decreed upon the 18th of January, 1697, and has subsequently involved many a doubt, whether as having been intended in the light of a retaining fee, or as a reward for past services. Opposite decisions have authorised different constructions, while the lapse of more than one hundred years has not yet explicitly brought the point to an issue.
The manly and independent spirit of our judges, pure as these laws that controul their opinions, has not been able to adjust the question.
In the case of General Ross, which was submitted to their enquiry and determination—they resolved that he could not be amenable, as a half-pay officer, to military jurisdiction ; but the discussion extended no farther.
In 1715 a number of officers, however, who drew this recompence from the public, most ingloriously joined the Pretender. The issue being unfortunate for them, they were all taken prisoners, and afterwards tried and executed by martial law ; although they might have been capitally convicted as rebels, by the common law of the land.
In having adduced these opposite examples, I cannot withhold a remark, that under no one head of the articles of war is this description of men noticed ; and I can readily anticipate the answer of an Englishman, were I to ask him if any laws should affect such an object as I have defined, in which he is not expressly specified ?
In this flourishing country, where industry and enterprize are open to all, it often happens that an officer, when the State no longer wants his services, turns his attention and the little capital he may possess, to commercial pursuits. In this new profession he very probably advances the public interests more essentially than were he recalled to his former duties, upon every fresh emergency.
That patriotism and loyalty, which I am convinced in those days influence every soldier, who, in the smallest portion, tastes of the bread of his King, will enforce through each quarter of Britain a local activity, and when necessary, a military zeal. As volunteer companies in the present, and very probably under the future political circumstances of our country, must form a branch of our force, who are there more capable of animating them than men who have been trained to arms, whose allegiance is undisputed, and whose early sentiments and ideas no change of life can extinguish ? Some legislative assurances of exemption in favour of officers of this description, and who engage to discharge the obligations of general association when required, would be politic and gratifying. Half-pay might also very properly be no longer considered as a retainder of those who have served any marked number of years ; for I would discriminate between the veteran and the stripling, who are alike entitled to the same remuneration ; though, I should humbly conceive, to separate indulgences. Having made this digression, suited, I trust, to the present topic and the present times, I return to the train of my narrative.
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See you in a few days!
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Part 2 of 2
From the nature of the marine service, at this period, few or no achievements occur which can be peculiarly attached to it as a corps. We find them honourably mentioned in the operations against St. Christopher's, and the successful attack upon Cork, under the aera of 1690. The detail of loss upon the former occasion is thus described, and evinces that their energies also, as soldiers, were called forth when occasion might require them. " In this action we had killed " and wounded upwards of 130 men, and Captain Keigwin, a " sea commander, who was appointed Colonel of the Marine Regiment, " (which consisted of about 230 seamen) was shot through the thigh, " of which wound he died, before he could be carried on board, and " Captain Brifbane, who acted as First Captain to the Marinesy receiving " a shot through the body, expired the next night on board the " Bristol."
Embodied under similar circumstances, they of course partook in the various services of debarkation, which the emergency of those times might have demanded, until the peace of Ryswick, which, for a while, closed the existence of marine forces.
The expences of King William's war, upwards of eight years' duration, are so moderate when contrasted with these of later days, that they merit a place in any retrospect which treats of that period ; and it is to be remarked that 40,000 seamen were maintained during the last years of it.
Total navy estimates allowed . . . £16,303,713 15 0 Total army do. do. , . . £18,487,671 17 10
In all, thirty-four millions seven hundred sixty-four thousand three hundred eighty-five pounds, twelve shillings and ten pence !
I cannot bid adieu to the transactions of this auspicious reign, »vhich has established the happiness and the liberties of my country, without commenting upon two events of it, that must be materially interesting to every military man—I mean the code of laws for the good order and discipline of our armies, and the grant of half-pay bestowed upon disbanded officers.
The first was adopted in an hour of urgent expediency, in order to restrain the uncontrouled outrages of a discontented soldiery, on account of arrears due to them. This act was passed in great haste upon the 12th day of April, 1689, and has progressively experienced these various improvements that arise out of occasions. It undergoes annually a legislative sanction, under the title of the Mutiny Bill.
• Half-pay was a gift decreed upon the 18th of January, 1697, and has subsequently involved many a doubt, whether as having been intended in the light of a retaining fee, or as a reward for past services. Opposite decisions have authorised different constructions, while the lapse of more than one hundred years has not yet explicitly brought the point to an issue.
The manly and independent spirit of our judges, pure as these laws that controul their opinions, has not been able to adjust the question.
In the case of General Ross, which was submitted to their enquiry and determination—they resolved that he could not be amenable, as a half-pay officer, to military jurisdiction ; but the discussion extended no farther.
In 1715 a number of officers, however, who drew this recompence from the public, most ingloriously joined the Pretender. The issue being unfortunate for them, they were all taken prisoners, and afterwards tried and executed by martial law ; although they might have been capitally convicted as rebels, by the common law of the land.
In having adduced these opposite examples, I cannot withhold a remark, that under no one head of the articles of war is this description of men noticed ; and I can readily anticipate the answer of an Englishman, were I to ask him if any laws should affect such an object as I have defined, in which he is not expressly specified ?
In this flourishing country, where industry and enterprize are open to all, it often happens that an officer, when the State no longer wants his services, turns his attention and the little capital he may possess, to commercial pursuits. In this new profession he very probably advances the public interests more essentially than were he recalled to his former duties, upon every fresh emergency.
That patriotism and loyalty, which I am convinced in those days influence every soldier, who, in the smallest portion, tastes of the bread of his King, will enforce through each quarter of Britain a local activity, and when necessary, a military zeal. As volunteer companies in the present, and very probably under the future political circumstances of our country, must form a branch of our force, who are there more capable of animating them than men who have been trained to arms, whose allegiance is undisputed, and whose early sentiments and ideas no change of life can extinguish ? Some legislative assurances of exemption in favour of officers of this description, and who engage to discharge the obligations of general association when required, would be politic and gratifying. Half-pay might also very properly be no longer considered as a retainder of those who have served any marked number of years ; for I would discriminate between the veteran and the stripling, who are alike entitled to the same remuneration ; though, I should humbly conceive, to separate indulgences. Having made this digression, suited, I trust, to the present topic and the present times, I return to the train of my narrative.
==
See you in a few days!
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