must be detached, the commandant should at least select them, in order that those may go whose services can best be spared. There is instruction of some kind assigned to every day of the school year. If officers and men are absent for a period, the part belonging thereto must generally go by default and not be given. No system deserving the name can possibly be maintained under such circumstances.

If the necessary officers' quarters and stables were constructed, another squadron would be desirable, and would very materially contribute to greater success in the prosecution and perfection of combined

maneuvers.

When on the field the disproportion of cavalry to artillery is very marked, and planning of exercises which approximate to real conditions is thereby rendered difficult. This disproportion is due no more to the small number of troops than to the small size of the troops themselves. In considerations which are affected by the actual number of men available for drills it should always be borne in mind that, under present conditions, seldom as many as 60 per cent of the men of an organization can be had for drill at any one time. With a troop aggregating 60 enlisted men a captain is exceptionally fortunate who can turn out 36 for drill, a thing so unusual that it becomes a subject of remark whenever it happens here, where all possible efforts are made to have every man at drill. Out of a cavalry command averaging, as this does, about 440 men, it is perfectly safe to say there will never be more than 240 available for field exercises. When these appear with 12 guns (the complement of three light batteries) the disproportion is very apparent. As a partial corrective of this disproportion I can not too strongly recommend the adoption, as soon as practicable, of the suggestion made by the Major-General Commanding the Army on April 2, 1892, viz:

That in order to make this training for field service (at United States Cavalry and Light Artillery School) as complete as possible, both arms be kept on a war footing in regard to armament, supplies, administration, and organization.

Pursuant to instructions, I had the honor of submitting in June, 1891, a proposed scheme of organization for this school, in which I recom mended that the cavalry command be composed of twelve troops of cavalry, not more than two to be taken from any one regiment; but the War Department order, based on said scheme, prescribed that it should consist of one regiment of cavalry, as nearly as practicable. Supposing there was some reason for this wide departure from my recommendation, and being convinced the regimental organization would not serve the best interests of the institution, in my annual report of last year I suggested a compromise between the two plans (the one recommended and that adopted), viz, that the cavalry command consist of three squadrons from different regiments which suggestion was approved. Though that plan has some advantages, and notwithstanding it has been tried only one year, I nevertheless, now feel justified in returning to my original recommendation. The objectionable features it was feared might exist in the squadron plan have already become apparent. The two most urgent needs at present are that troops shall have the authorized complement of officers and contain a war strength of enlisted men. Under present conditions in the Army to keep three officers on duty with each of four troops of one regiment is next to an impossibility. It could hardly be expected, out of one regimental allowance alone, that four troops be maintained at a war strength. Since the total allowance of enlisted men for the cavalry arm is a fixed number and can not be

increased, the twelve troops of the school could be placed on a war footing only by a proportionate reduction of the allowance of all regiments. But seven of them, under the present system, would be deriving no benefit in return.

I recently addressed a communication to the Adjutant-General requesting that the troops in this school be maintained at an average of seventy men each, and in reply was informed that this could not be done without injustice to other regiments. This conclusion, in which I concur, makes it all the more appropriate that a plan be adopted under which, without injustice, these troops can be put on a basis commensurate with the importance of the work expected. I therefore have the honor to urgently recommend that, as the squadrons now here finish their tours of duty, the organization of the cavalry command be changed to accord with my original recommendation, viz: That it consist of twelve troops, all regiments being represented. My reasons are as follows:

(1) Troops serving here could then be maintained at a war strength without injustice to any regiment, since all would continuously participate in the benefits of the school.

(2) Each regimental commander would be enabled to offer the detail as a reward to that captain of his regiment who had displayed the most interest in and succeeded best with the instruction, discipline, and efficiency of his troop. Selection would then be an honor and would be worked for, thereby promoting efficiency.

(3) He could more easily spare sufficient officers to keep three on duty with each troop of his regiment here, and, being fewer in number, he would be able to select only the most suitable who have a natural taste for the work. This is a matter of no small importance.

(4) All regiments would sooner derive some benefit than under the present organization.

(5) The War Department would probably find it easier to annually arrange for the detail of one troop each from four regiments than four troops from one regiment. Probably fewer emergencies and difficulties would interfere with the ordering them here at a regular specified time.

The period of instruction should, however, remain three years (four troops being relieved each year, as now), instead of being for two, as suggested in my original scheme.

There are many recommendations in my report of last year which have not as yet received attention. I would respectfully renew them now, especially those relating to a topographical survey of the reservation and to an allowance of a general service clerk for permanent duty at the school.

The scheme of instruction, as approved, will be found hereto appended. The division of time so far as it affects instruction of the cavalry command is as follows:

January 10 to April 30: School of soldier, of the trooper, equitation, training horses, packing, guard duty, drills preliminary to target prac tice, signaling, elementary instruction in practical veterinary science, and horseshoeing. Also schools of the squad and troop in extended order, dismounted.

May 1 to August 15: Estimating distances, target practice, camping and troop drill.

August 15 to September 15: Squadron drill and signaling including field telegraphy, construction, and operation of line.

Instruction in stable management occurs daily; trumpet practice, the same (Saturdays and Sundays excepted); bearer drill and instruc

tion in first aid to injured, weekly. All the rest of the instruction mentioned in the schedule is given between October 1 and December 20. The reports of the directors of the subschools will be found appended hereto. Attention is respectfully invited to the recommendations contained therein, which are concurred in by me.

Since the submission of my last report the following changes have occurred in the staff of the post commander:

First Lieut. Frank R. Keefer, assistant surgeon, U. S. A., left post January 16, 1893.

First Lieut. Merritte W. Ireland, assistant surgeon, U. S. A., left post April 22, 1893.

First Lieut. James M. Kennedy, assistant surgeon, U. S. A., arrived at post May 31, 1893.

First Lieut. Madison M. Brewer, assistant surgeon, U. S. A., arrived · at post June 3, 1893.

In conclusion I desire to again testify to the close attention to duties and to the cheerful and valuable assistance rendered by all officers concerned with the duty of instruction. More loyal support than that accorded me could not be expected or desired.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES W. FORSYTH, Colonel Seventh Cavalry, Commanding.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL, UNITED STATES ARMY.

REPORT OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES INFANTRY AND CAVALRY SCHOOL.

UNITED STATES INFANTRY AND CAVALRY SCHOOL,
Fort Leavenworth, Kans., August 1, 1894.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit this my report of the operations and wants of the United States Infantry and Cavalry School for the first school year commencing September 1, 1893, and ending May 31, 1894.

The student class comprised the following-named officers: Second Lieuts. Robert C. Williams, First Cavalry; James J. Hornbrook, Second Cavalry; John P. Ryan, Third Cavalry; Edward D. Anderson, Fourth Cavalry; Louis C. Scherer, Fifth Cavalry; James G. Harbord, Fifth Cavalry; Ervin L. Phillips, Sixth Cavalry; John O'Shea, Seventh Cavalry. First Lieut. John C. Waterman, Eighth Cavalry. Second Lieuts. Joseph T. Crabbs, Eighth Cavalry; Mathew A. Batson, Ninth Cavalry; Winthrop S. Wood, Tenth Cavalry; Samuel D. Rockenbach, Tenth Cavalry; Dwight E. Holley, First Infantry. First Lieut. Charles H. Muir, Second Infantry. Second Lieuts. William H. Morford, Third Infantry; John S. Switzer, Fourth Infantry; John C. Castner, Fourth Infantry; William Brooke, Fourth Infantry; Edward Sigerfoos, Fifth Infantry; William H. Simons, Sixth Infantry; William Wallace, Seventh Infantry. First Lieut. John A. Perry, Eighth Infantry. Second Lieuts. Frank Owen, Eighth Infantry; Edmund Wittenmyer, Ninth Infantry; Arthur W.Yates, Ninth Infantry; Matt R. Peterson, Tenth Infantry; Edward A. Shuttleworth, Eleventh Infantry; Earl C. Carnahan, Twelfth Infantry; Peter C. Harris, Thirteenth Infantry; Frederick W. Fuger, Thirteenth

1 Omitted.

Infantry; Charles R. Krauthoff, Fourteenth Infantry; Henry J Hunt, Fifteenth Infantry. First Lieut. Walter A. Thurston, Sixteenth Infantry. Second Lieuts. Benjamin F. Hardaway, Seventeenth Infantry; Percival G. Lowe, Eighteenth Infantry; Jasper E. Brady, jr., Nineteenth Infantry; John Howard, Nineteenth Infantry; Wilson Chase, Twentieth Infantry; Munroe McFarland, Twenty-first Infantry; Ralph H. Van Deman, Twenty-first Infantry; Robert L. Hamilton, Twenty-second Infantry; Albert C. Dalton, Twenty-second Infantry; James E. Normoyle, Twentythird Infantry. First Lieut. William Black, Twenty-fourth Infantry. Second Lieuts. John R. Seyburn, Twenty-fourth Infantry; John S. Murdock, Twenty-fifth Infantry.

Of the foregoing, the following-named officers reported at the dates opposite their respective names for preliminary instruction in mathematics.

Second Lieuts. William Brooke, Fourth Infantry, March 1, 1893; M. A. Batson, Ninth Cavalry, March 1, 1893; William Chase, Twentieth Infantry, March 1, 1893; Henry J. Hunt, Fifteenth Infantry, March 4, 1893; Earl C. Carnahan, Twelfth Infantry, March 5, 1893; Jasper E. Brady, jr., Nineteenth Infantry, March 13, 1893; Charles R. Krauthoff, Fourteenth Infantry, March 14, 1893; William Wallace, Seventh Infantry, March 15, 1893; John O'Shea, Seventh Cavalry, March 17, 1893; John Howard, Nineteenth Infantry, March 24, 1893; John S. Murdock, Twenty-fifth Infantry, March 25, 1893; W. H. Morford, Third Infantry, March 27, 1893; Percival G. Lowe, Eighteenth Infantry, April 5, 1893.

Lieut. Henry C. Le Comte, Swiss army, reported for duty at school January 1, 1894, to take a six months, course, as per letter of instruction from the Adjutant-General United States Army, under date of December 19, 1893. Was relieved from duty May 31, 1894, and furnished a certificate of proficiency in subjects pursued during that part of the course.

The following-named officers were relieved from duty at the school from time to time during the year and for various causes:

(1) Second Lieut. Joseph T. Crabbs, Eighth Cavalry, per paragraph 10, Special Orders 186, Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, August 15, 1893; relieved before commencement of school year, and did not join the class.

(2) First Lieut. Walter A. Thurston, Sixteenth Infantry, per paragraph 20, Special Orders 210, Headquarters of the Army, AdjutantGeneral's Office, September 20, 1893; at his own request.

(3) First Lieut. Dwight E. Holley, Fourth Infantry, per paragraph 3, Special Orders 33, Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, February 8, 1894; detailed as professor of military science and tactics at Mount Tamalpais Military Academy, San Rafael, Cal.

(4) Second Lieut. William Brooke, Fourth Infantry, per paragraph 3, Special Orders 49, Adjutant-General's Office, February 27, 1894; at his own request.

The student class as a body reported September 1, 1893, and entered upon the course of study prescribed, September 15, numbering at that time 46 members.

The subjects pursued by the members of the class from September 15 to December 31, 1893, were as follows: Department of military art, Wagner's Service of Security and Information; department of engineering, Johnson's Surveying; department of law, Davis' International Law; department of military hygiene, Lectures on Early Aid to the Injured.

During this time there was also much practical work accomplished in the departments of military art and engineering, which is fully set forth in the reports of the heads of those departments.

During the month of January, 1894, the semiannual examination of the student class in the foregoing studies took place.

The examination of the following-named officers was declared by the school staff unsatisfactory in the subjects set opposite their names, respectively: Second Lieut. John Howard, Nineteenth Infantry, mili tary art and engineering; Second Lieut. William Brooke, Fourth Infantry, engineering; Second Lieut. W. H. Morford, Third Infantry, military art and engineering.

These officers were reexamined twenty days thereafter, in accordance with paragraph 48 of the school regulations, and having passed a satis factory examination were declared proficient.

From January to May 31, 1894, the course of study consisted of the following subjects, together with much practical work in road sketching, reconnoissance, mapping, etc.: Department of military art, Wagner's Organization and Tactics, and Home's Précis of Modern Tactics; department of engineering, Richard's Military Topography; depart ment of law, Cooley's Constitutional Law; department of cavalry, Dwyer's Seats and Saddles, and Cavalry Drill Regulations; department of infantry, Infantry Drill Regulations.

The annual examination of the student class in the foregoing subjects took place in June. The examination of the following-named officers was declared unsatisfactory by the school staff in the subjects set opposite their names, respectively: First Lieut. Frank Owen, Fourteenth Infantry, military art and engineering; Second Lieut. John Howard, Nineteenth Infantry, military art; Second Lieut. W. H. Morford, Third Infantry, military art, engineering, and constitutional law.

These officers were again examined twenty days thereafter, and the following-named officers were by the school staff declared deficient: First Lieut. Frank Owen, Fourteenth Infantry, in engineering; Second Lieut. W. H. Morford, Third Infantry, in military art, engineering, and constitutional law.

In accordance with paragraph 48, school regulations, a special report of the school staff in these cases has been submitted for the action of the Major-General Commanding the Army.

In the case of the first-named officer, I am satisfied that with steady application he could master the course without much difficulty. In the second case, I believe it to be exceedingly doubtful if the officer named could graduate at all.

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY ART.

This department during the past year has been in charge of Capt. A. L. Wagner, Sixth Infantry, who succeeded Lieut. Col. Jacob Kline, Ninth Infantry, when the latter officer was relieved from duty at the school. Captain Wagner has brought untiring zeal to the accomplishment of the work in his department and with the help of his able assistant instructors has been remarkably successful in the instruction of the class. The works of which he is the author, viz, Service of Security and Information and Organization and Tactics, have been used as the text-books of the course, supplemented by a small portion of Home's Précis of Modern Tactics. This book will be dropped as soon as Captain Wagner's work is entirely completed.

For a detailed account of the work done in this department I respectfully refer to the report of Captain Wagner herewith.