Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

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[5] many privates, not exceeding eighty-two, as the President may direct. The regiment of cavalry to consist of not more than three battalions, of not more than two squadrons each, and each squadron of two companies, of seventy-two privates each. The regiment of artillery to consist of not more than twelve batteries; each battery to have as many privates as the President might direct, not exceeding one hundred and twenty-two.

That the field and staff commissioned officers should be to each regiment of infantry, one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one regimental adjutant, one regimental quartermaster and commissary, and to each battalion of infantry, one major, one battalion adjutant, one battalion quartermaster and commissary; the regimental and battalion adjutants, and quartermasters and commissaries, to be taken from the lieutenants of the regiments and battalions respectively. To the regiment of cavalry, one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one regimental adjutant, one regimental quartermaster and commissary, and to each battalion of cavalry, one major, one battalion adjutant, one battalion quartermaster and commissary. To the regiment of artillery, one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major to every four batteries, one adjutant, one regimental quarter-master and commissary, to be taken from the lieutenants of the regiment.

That there be four major-generals, with three aids-de-camp each, to be taken from captains or lieutenants of the army, and six brigadier-generals, with two aids-de-camp each, to be taken from the lieutenants of the army.

That the officers and enlisted men were to receive the same pay, emoluments, and allowances, and be on the same footing, in every respect, with those of corresponding grades and corps now in the regular service.

That the President be authorized to add to the regiments of dragoons, mounted riflemen, cavalry, artillery, and infantry of the regular army, as many officers and enlisted men as might make their respective organizations the same as those of the additional regiments, and that the commissions of the officers of the old regiments who might be promoted should bear equal date with those of officers promoted to the additional regiments.

That the term of enlistments made and to be made in the years eighteen hundred and sixty-one and eighteen hundred and sixty-two in the regular army, be for the period of three years, and those to be made after January one, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, to be for the term of five years.

On the ninth, Mr. Wilson, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported back the bill with an amendment, striking out the provision giving authority to the President to add to the old regiments as many officers and men as might make their organizations equal to the additional regiments authorized by the act.

On motion of Mr. Wilson, the Senate, on the thirteenth, proceeded to the consideration of the bill, and the amendment proposed by the Military Committee was adopted. Mr. King, of New-York, moved to amend the bill, by adding, that the increase of the force authorized by the act was declared to be for service during the insurrection, and six months after organized resistance should exist, the military establishment should be reduced to the number, grade, rank, and pay, authorized by law, on the first day of May, 1861, and the amendment was agreed to. Mr. King then proposed to amend, by adding, that the President should cause regiments, battalions, and companies to be disbanded, and officers to be discharged, so as to reduce the army as provided for in the amendment. Mr. Harris, of New-York, expressed his surprise that the Senate should strike what seemed to him so fatal a blow to this measure of the administration. He thought officers of the old regiments would not take commissions in the new regiments, with the understanding that they were to be discharged at the end of the war. The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. Nesmith, of Oregon, moved that the bill be amended by adding that no person should be commissioned as major or brigadier-general in the regular army who should not have previously served for the period of ten years in the regular or volunteer army of the Unitdd States; and no person should be commissioned as colonel, lieutenant-colonel or major in the regular army, who should not have previously served at least two years in the regular or volunteer army of the United States.

Mr. Wilson expressed the hope that the Senate would reject this amendment. Mr. Nesmith said, the object of the amendment was to exclude persons from civil life who have never had any military experience. “Ten years,” he said, “was the shortest period in which any man can acquire the information necessary to qualify him to command in the army as brigadier or major-general.” This amendment was rejected. Mr. Nesmith then moved, that, whenever the public service might require the appointment of any citizen to the regular army, a board of officers should be instituted, before which the applicant should appear for examination into his physical ability, moral character, attainments, and general fitness for the service. Mr. Nesmith thought that military knowledge was not attained by inspiration. Men must get it through study, experience, and service in the field. “The regulations,” he said, “contained the principle of the amendment. Every thing has to be examined and present some qualifications for its position in the army, except the general officers who are to lead the army.” Mr. Wilson said: “There were to be eight hundred and fifty officers in these regiments. It was arranged that one half of the officers should be taken from the old regiments. Nine of the eleven colonels had been taken from the army, one of the others had served in the field, and the other was adjutant-general of Ohio. One half of the captains and first lieutenants were to be taken from the old army, and ”