REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

REPORT

OF

THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, October 25, 1881.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my annual report for the year ending September 30, 1881.

MILITIA.

Deeming it unnecessary to reiterate the expression of my deep sympathy with everything that affects the well-being and development of the militia, I beg to invite your attention to the necessity of legislative authority to extend to the militia of the several States such aid, by furnishing them, on requisitions of the respective adjutant-generals, the tactical works and blank forms and books prescribed for the regular Army, as will still further assimilate the management, drill, and internal government of the two forces, due regard being always had to the fundamental conditions of their respectivs existence.

The Fourth Brigade of the South Carolina Volunteer troops, contemplating holding, in April last, a competitive drill between the artillery and infantry companies of the command, requested the detail of Army officers to act as judges; and in compliance with the request an officer was selected by the commanding general of the Department of the South to act as judge on the occasion.

It is greatly regretted that the non-receipt of any report from the officer selected to act as judge deprives me of the opportunity of placing on record his judgment, as well as, I doubt not, his recognition of the increasing interest manifested in military matters by the several organizations of the State troops of South Carolina participating in this friendly contest of skill and tactical knowledge.

At the request of the authorities of the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, officers of the regular force were detailed to inspect the camps and troops of those States. From causes incident to the perturbed state of the country consequent on the assassination of the late President, and the movements of troops connected, later, with the Yorktown centennial celebration, the reports of the officers detailed have not been received in time to be incorporated with this report, and it only remains for me to express the confident hope that the bright expectations raised by the inspection reports of last year have not only been realized, but indicate still the justification of greater hopes.

MILITARY COLLEGES.

The subjoined table exhibits the apportionment of details corrected up to October 1, 1881. The reports of the several officers detailed as

professors of military science at the several universities and colleges show that, out of upwards of 3,600 youths over the age of 15, an average attendance has been secured as follows: Artillery drill, 563; infantry drill, 1,853, or over one-fifth of the entire number of students for the first and over one-half for the last, besides attendance at recitations and lectures on military points of interest. The average aptitude of pupils is reported very good, while the interest manifested by the respective faculties is steadily increasing as they realize the fact that, while military instruction does not, in anywise, interfere with the ordinary curriculum of studies at the several institutions, it proves of marked benefit in maintaining a high degree of discipline and materially affects the bearing and tone of the students.

Table showing apportionment of details at colleges, universities, &c., under section 1225 Revised Statutes.

3,531,296

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