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as taken thereof； and when； months afterward； I came North； I found not one single sign of preparation。 It was for this reason； somewhat； that the people of the South became convinced that those of the North were pusillanimous and cowardly； and the Southern leaders were thereby enabled to commit their people to the war； nominally in defense of their slave property。 Up to the hour of the firing on Fort Sumter； in April； 1861； it does seem to me that our public men； our politicians； were blamable for not sounding the note of alarm。
Then； when war was actually begun； it was by a call for seventy… five thousand 〃ninety…day〃 men； I suppose to fulfill Mr。 Seward's prophecy that the war would last but ninety days。
The earlier steps by our political Government were extremely wavering and weak； for which an excuse can be found in the fact that many of the Southern representatives remained in Congress； sharing in the public councils； and influencing legislation。 But as soon as Mr。 Lincoln was installed； there was no longer any reason why Congress and the cabinet should have hesitated。 They should have measured the cause； provided the means； and left the Executive to apply the remedy。
At the time of Mr。 Lincoln's inauguration； viz。； March 4； 1861； the Regular Army； by law； consisted of two regiments of dragoons； two regiments of cavalry； one regiment of mounted rifles； four regiments of artillery； and ten regiments of infantry； admitting of an aggregate strength of thirteen thousand and twenty…four officers and men。 On the subsequent 4th of May the President； by his own orders （afterward sanctioned by Congress）； added a regiment of cavalry； a regiment of artillery； and eight regiments of infantry； which； with the former army； admitted of a strength of thirty…nine thousand nine hundred and seventy…three； but at no time during the war did the Regular Army attain a strength of twenty…five thousand men。
To the new regiments of infantry was given an organization differing from any that had heretofore prevailed in this country of three battalions of eight companies each； but at no time did more than one of these regiments attain its full standard； nor in the vast army of volunteers that was raised during the war were any of the regiments of infantry formed on the three…battalion system； but these were universally single battalions of ten companies； so that； on the reorganization of the Regular Army at the close of the war； Congress adopted the form of twelve companies for the regiments of cavalry and artillery； and that of ten companies for the infantry； which is the present standard。
Inasmuch as the Regular Army will naturally form the standard of organization for any increase or for new regiments of volunteers； it becomes important to study this subject in the light of past experience； and to select that form which is best for peace as well as war。
A cavalry regiment is now composed of twelve companies； usually divided into six squadrons； of two companies each； or better subdivided into three battalions of four companies each。 This is an excellent form； easily admitting of subdivision as well as union into larger masses。
A single battalion of four companies； with a field…officer； will compose a good body for a garrison； for a separate expedition； or for a detachment； and； in war； three regiments would compose a good brigade； three brigades a division； and three divisions a strong cavalry corps； such as was formed and fought by Generals Sheridan and Wilson during the war。
In the artillery arm； the officers differ widely in their opinion of the true organization。 A single company forms a battery； and habitually each battery acts separately； though sometimes several are united or 〃massed；〃 but these always act in concert with cavalry or infantry。
Nevertheless； the regimental organization for artillery has always been maintained in this country for classification and promotion。 Twelve companies compose a regiment； and； though probably no colonel ever commanded his full regiment in the form of twelve batteries； yet in peace they occupy our heavy sea…coast forts or act as infantry； then the regimental organization is both necessary and convenient。
But the infantry composes the great mass of all armies； and the true form of the regiment or unit has been the subject of infinite discussion； and； as I have stated； during the civil war the regiment was a single battalion of ten companies。 In olden times the regiment was composed of eight battalion companies and two flank companies。 The first and tenth companies were armed with rifles； and were styled and used as 〃skirmishers；〃 but during 'the war they were never used exclusively for that special purpose； and in fact no distinction existed between them and the other eight companies。
The ten…company organization is awkward in practice； and I am satisfied that the infantry regiment should have the same identical organization as exists for the cavalry and artillery； viz。； twelve companies； so as to be susceptible of division into three battalions of four companies each。
These companies should habitually be about a hundred one men strong； giving twelve hundred to a regiment； which in practice would settle down to about one thousand men。
Three such regiments would compose a brigade； three brigades a division； and three divisions a corps。 Then； by allowing to an infantry corps a brigade of cavalry and six batteries of field…artillery； we would have an efficient corps d'armee of thirty thousand men； whose organization would be simple and most efficient； and whose strength should never be allowed to fall below twenty…five thousand men。
The corps is the true unit for grand campaigns and battle； should have a full and perfect staff； and every thing requisite for separate action； ready at all times to be detached and sent off for any nature of service。 The general in command should have the rank of lieutenant…general； and should be； by experience and education； equal to any thing in war。 Habitually with us he was a major… general； specially selected and assigned to the command by an order of the President； constituting； in fact； a separate grade。
The division is the unit of administration； and is the legitimate command of a major general。
The brigade is the next subdivision； and is commanded by a brigadier…general。
The regiment is the family。 The colonel； as the father； should have a personal acquaintance with every officer and man； and should instill a feeling of pride and affection for himself； so that his officers and men would naturally look to him for personal advice and instruction。 In war the regiment should never be subdivided； but should always be maintained entire。 In peace this is impossible。
The company is the true unit of discipline； and the captain is the company。 A good captain makes a good company； and he should have the power to reward as well as punish。 The fact that soldiers world naturally like to have a good fellow for their captain is the best reason why he should be appointed by the colonel； or by some superior authority； instead of being elected by the men。
In the United States the people are the 〃sovereign；〃 all power