Art. 22. No non-commissioned officer or soldier, shall enlist himself in any other regiment, troop, or company, without a regular discharge from the regiment, troop, or company, in which he last served on the penalty of being reputed a deserter, and suffering accordingly. . .

Art. 26. If any commissioned or non-commissioned officer commanding a guard, shall knowingly or willingly suffer any person whatsoever to go forth to fight a duel, he shall be punished as a challenger. .

Art. 27. All officers, of what condition soever, have power to part and quell all quarrels, frays, and disorders, though the persons concerned should belong to another regiment, troop, or company; and either to order officers into arrest, or non-commissioned officers or soldiers into confinement, until their proper superior officer shall be acquainted therewith. . . .

Art. 37. Any non-commissioned officer or soldier, who shall be convicted, at a regimental court martial, of having sold, or designedly, or through neglect, wasted the ammunition delivered out to him, to be employed in the service of the United States, shall be punished at the discretion of such court.

Art. 38. Every non-commissioned officer or soldier, who shall be convicted before a court martial, of having sold, lost, or spoiled, through neglect, his horse, arms, clothes, or accoutrements, shall be put under such weekly stoppages (not exceeding the half of his pay) as such court martial shall judge sufficient, for repairing the loss or damage; and shall suffer confinement, or such other corporal punishment as his crime shall de

Art. 41. All non-commissioned officers and soldiers, who shall be found one mile from the camp, without leave, in writing, from their commanding officer, shall suffer such punishment as shall be inflicted upon them. by the sentence of a court martial. . . .

Art. 43. Every non-commissioned officer and soldier shall retire to his quarters or tent, at the beating of the retreat; in default of which he shall be punished according to the nature of his offence.

Art. 44. No officer, non-commissioned officer or soldier, shall fail in repairing, at the time fixed, to the place of parade, of exercise or other rendezvous, appointed by his commanding officer, if not prevented by sickness, or some other evident necessity, or shall go from the said place of rendezvous, without leave from

his commanding officer, before he shall be regularly dismissed or relieved, on the penalty of being punished according to the nature of his offence by the sentence of a court martial.

Art. 45. Any commissioned officer, who shall be found drunk on his guard, party, or other duty, shall be cashiered. Any non-commissioned officer or soldier so offending, shall suffer such corporal punishment as shall be inflicted by the sentence of a court martial. . . .

Art. 59. If any commander of any garrison, fortress or post, shall be compelled, by the officers and soldiers under his command, to give up to the enemy, or to abandon it; the commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, or soldiers, who shall be convicted of having so offended, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as shall be inflicted upon them by the sentence of a court martial. . . .

Extract from William Duane, A Hand Book for Infantry, 9th ed., 1814.

It is too much practice to commit the charge of the elementary drills to non-commissioned officers, by which many great evils are produced. . . . By devolving these first duties on non-commissioned officers, the commissioned officers remain ignorant or timid; and the chance of finding non-commissioned officers, who can clearly comprehend and explain the principles of a good discipline, is not one in twenty; from which cause it is twenty to one that the recruits are imperfectly or erroneously taught. . . .

The Serjeant Major

This is a very useful and indispensible officer—it would be desirable, and would conduce to the perfection of discipline, if there were one to every company. The duties are very heavy on a single serjeant major to battalion, and it is not easy to find men every way qualified. He is to the serjeants and corporals, what the major is to the platoon officers. He has charge of the details of serjeants, corporals, privates, and musicians for every service, guards, drills, fatigues, etc. and is an indispensible aid to the adjutant.

He should be a complete master of all the exercises of the battalion from the first drill to the movements in line of battle. A serjeant major who feels a pride in his station, and whose conduct is exemplary, may expect with propriety, military promotion.

Serjeants

The non-commissioned officers should be selected from among the most orderly and best qualified men— upon them will depend very much the order and good conduct of the company. They should each have a squad composed of an equal distribution of the men, who should form messes, over which the serjeants and corporals should preside and be responsible for the good and orderly conduct of the mess, the dressing of provisions, the cleaning of their persons, arms, quarters, and clothing.

The serjeants in rotation should see the parties daily turn out for guards-inspect them and their arms—that their clothing be clean-arms in good order-flints good and well fitted-ammunition sufficient and in good condition.

The serjeants make a morning report, one copy for the captain, the other for the serjeant major, who delivers them to the former.

The serjeants make weekly reports of the company, men and arms-reports are delivered to the serjeant major on a stated hour of the day every week, but they must be ready to make report at any hour required, and the corporals aid the serjeants in this duty.

At roll call they should report all who were absent— when upon guard arrange the sentinels, and never be absent from the head quarters of the guard. The serjeants perform orderly duty, once a week in rotation, of which the serjeant major keeps a roster; the duty of the orderly serjeant is to attend upon and execute such orders as the officer to whom he is attached shall order. The serjeants act as guides and pivots in the evolutions of battalions.

Corporals

These are in fact deputy serjeants-they have the charge of squads in quarters-there is an orderly corporal in quarters always dressed, and whose duty it is to execute such orders as the orderly serjeant is required to have executed. The corporals keep each a roll of the company, and they warn the men for duty. They teach the recruits the manual exercise, instruct them in cleaning arms and accoutrements, and see that they perform this duty each for himself-they take their share of duties in guards, fatigues, the care of ammunition and provisions and storage.

The serjeants and corporals call the rolls at taptoo time—and are the first on daily parade, and are exemplary in the neatness of their persons and their sobriety and good demeanor.

The corporals plant the sentinels, the elder corporal has the choice of the route, after an equal distribution.

Extract from General Regulations for the Army of the United States; also, The Rules and Articles of War, and Extracts from Laws relating to them, 1835.

Article IX

Appointment of Adjutants and
Non-commissioned Officers

12. Each colonel will appoint, from the subaltern officers of his own regiment, his Adjutant, and report the same to the Adjutant General. He will also appoint the non-commissioned staff of his regiment; and on the recommendation and nomination of the Captains of the companies, he will, should he approve thereof, appoint the Sergeants and Corporals of their respective companies. All these appointments are to be announced in regimental orders.

13. The officers and non-commissioned officers thus appointed, are not to be removed from their respective places, except by the sentence of a court martial, or by order of the Colonel or permanent commanding officer of the regiment.

14. A non-commissioned officer having been duly appointed, cannot, at his pleasure, resign his place or relinquish his duties as such, and return to the ranks. If he have been regraded, in consequence of misconduct, he shall not be re-enlisted within a period to entitle him to the additional bounty allowed to such privates and musicians, as may re-enlist under the provisions of the act, section 3, of the 2d March, 1833.

System of Responsibility

15. Nothing more essentially tends to the maintenance of good order, than that chain of responsibility, which should extend from the highest to the lowest grade. To effect this, each company must be divided into four squads, each to be put under the charge of a non-commissioned officer, who will be responsible to the subalterns of the company. Should there be a deficiency in the number of non-commissioned officers, required to assist the subaltern officers in the discharge of this duty, Corporals may be appointed to act as lance-sergeants, and the most approved private soldiers as lance-corporals, who, if they conduct themselves with propriety, should be promoted to the first vacancies.

18. As far as practical, squads will be kept separate, whether in tents or quarters; and the men of each will be numbered according to their qualifications, in order that the highest in number present, may, as lancecorporal, command the squad in the absence of noncommissioned officers and lance-corporals. . .

42. As an allowance is made by law to officers for

private waiters, no non-commissioned officer or soldier is to be employed in any menial office, or made to perform any service not strictly military, for the private. benefit of any officer or mess of officers.

Extract from General Regulations for the Army of the United States, 1847.

Article XIII

Non-Commissioned Officers

117. It is of essential importance to the service that the station and respectability of the non-commissioned officer be upheld. It is, therefore, earnestly recommended, and enjoined upon all officers, to be cautious. in reproving non-commissioned officers in the presence or hearing of privates, lest their authority be weakened. in the eyes of their inferiors. It is also directed that non-commissioned officers, in no case, be sent to the guard-room and mixed with privates, during confinement, but be considered as placed in arrest, except in aggravated cases, where escape may be apprehended.

118. When non-commissioned officers are appointed and announced in the manner prescribed by paragraphs 96 and 97, they are not to be removed from their respective places except by the sentence of a courtmartial, or by order of the permanent commander of the regiment. If reduced to the ranks by garrison courts, at posts not the head-quarters of the regiment, the company commander will immediately forward a transcript of the order to the Colonel.

119. A non-commissioned officer having been duly appointed, cannot, at his pleasure, resign his place, or relinquish his duties as such, and return to the ranks.

120. Every non-commissioned officer shall be furnished with a certificate or warrant of his rank, assimilated to the commission of an officer, signed by the Colonel and countersigned by the Adjutant. The first, or orderly sergeant, when selected by the captain, will be entitled to a separate warrant as such, in addition to the appointment he may hold as a non-commissioned officer of the company.

121. Whenever circumstances may make it necessary, lance-sergeants may be appointed from the corporals, and lance-corporals from the privates, who, if their conduct be good and evince capacity for the discharge of such duties, should be promoted to the first vacancies. The appointments will be made in the same manner as that already pointed out for non-commissioned officers.

122. Independent of the particular duties required of non-commissioned officers, (sergeants and corporals), when in the ranks, according to the systems of tactical

instruction, it is also their duty, at all times, to observe the conduct of the privates, and to report immediately to the proper authority, every breach of the general regulations of the service, or of the particular orders of the post. . . .

Article XIV

144. Unless under special circumstances, Saturdays will be particularly appropriated to police. The chiefs of squads will cause bunks and bedding to be overhauled; floors dry rubbed; tables and benches scoured; arms cleaned; accoutrements whitened and polished, and every thing put in the most exact order.

145. Bathing is promotive both of comfort and health; and where conveniences for it are to be had, the men should be made to bathe at least once a week. The feet are to be washed at least twice a week.

146. It is essential to cleanliness and health that the soldiers should change their linen at least three times a week in mid-summer, and twice a week during the remainder of the year. The hair must be cut close to the head, and always be kept short.

147. Non-commissioned officers, in command of squads, will be held more immediately responsible that their men observe what is prescribed above; that they wash their hands and faces daily—habitually, immediately after the general fatigue; that they, at the same time, shave themselves (if necessary) and brush or comb their heads; that afterwards, those who are to go on duty, put their arms, accoutrements, dress, &c., in the best order, and that such as have permission to pass the chain of sentinels are in the dress that may be ordered. . . .

Extract from Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, Infantry Tactics; or, Rules for the Exercise and Maneuvers of the United States Infantry, 1854.

Article I

Posts of Company Officers, Sergeants, and Corporals

19. The company officers and sergeants may (as on a war establishment, with ranks filled) be ten in number, as follows: 1. Captain. 2. First lieutenant. 3. Second lieutenant. 4. Third lieutenant. 5. Ensign. 6. First sergeant. 7. Second sergeant. 8. Third sergeant. 9. Fourth sergeant. 10. Fifth sergeant.

20. If the whole ten be under arms with the company, they will be posted as follows:

21. No. 1 in the front rank on the right of the company, touching with the left elbow.

22. No. 6 in the rear rank, touching with the left elbow, and covering No. 1. In the manoeuvres, No. 6 (first sergeant) will be denominated covering sergeant, or right guide of the company.

23. The remaining officers and sergeants will constitute the file closers, and be posted in a line two paces in the rear of the rear rank, measuring from heels to heels, as follows:

24. No. 2 equidistant between the positions, which will be assigned to Nos. 4 and 7.

25. No. 3 opposite to the centre of the first platoon. 26. No. 4 opposite to the centre of the second platoon.

27. No. 5 equidistant between No. 3 and the right of the company.

28. No. 7 (with an exception to be immediately made) opposite to the second file from the left of the company. No. 7, (second sergeant), in every company, will, in the manoeuvres, be denominated left guide of the company.

29. No. 8 opposite to the second file from the left of the first platoon.

30. No. 9 opposite to the second file from the right of the second platoon.

31. No. 10 equidistant between Nos. 3 and 8.

32. No. 7, in the left company, will be posted in the front rank, on the left of the battalion, touching with the right elbow, and be covered by a corporal in the rear rank. This sergeant will, in the manoeuvres, be sometimes designated as the closing sergeant, and the corporal behind him the covering corporal. . . .

Article II

Instruction of Sergeants and Corporals

72. This will comprehend the Schools of the Soldier and Company. The sergeants and corporals will be held to know, not only how to execute with precision the manual of arms as sergeants, but, also, every thing relating to the manual of arms, as rank and file, the firings and marchings.

73. The adjutant and sergeant major, under the supervision of the field officers, will be immediately charged with the instruction of the sergeants and corporals. This will commence with the exercises in the School of the Soldier, followed by the manual of arms as sergeants.

74. When the sergeants and corporals are well established in the foregoing, they will next be formed into the semblance of a company, and four of the sergeants designated as captain, covering sergeant, left guide, and file closer, respectively. Every sergeant will, in his turn, fill each of those positions, and, if practica

ble, each corporal also.

75. This instruction having principally for object to qualify the sergeant to instruct the men, and the corporals to replace sergeants, the adjutant will explain to them all the principles of the first two schools, at first on the ground, and next in a course of theoretic instruction. The two modes will comprehend all the various duties of guides in the manoeuvres of the battalion.

76. The colonel will frequently cause to be exercised, by a field officer, the colour-bearer, the colour-guard, and the general guides in marching in line. The endeavour will be to make them contract the habit of marching in a given direction with the most scrupulous accuracy, and of preserving, in like manner, the length and cadence of the pace. . .

Colour-guard

50. In each battalion the colour-guard will be composed of eight or five corporals, according as the battalion may be formed in three or two ranks, and be posted on the left of the right centre company, of which company (for the time being) the guard will make a part.

51. The corporals will be selected by the colonel, who, nevertheless, will take but one at a time from the same company, and not one from the rifle, unless the rifles have bayonets. (In battalions with less than five companies present, there will be no colour-guard and no display of colours, except it may be at reviews.)

52. The front or colour rank of the guard will be composed of a sergeant, (to be selected by the colonel), who will be called, for the time, the colour-bearer*, with a corporal on his right and left; these places will be given in preference to the corporals of grenadiers and light infantry, respectively, as often as they compose a part of the guard.

53. The two other ranks of the guard will each consist of three corporals; or, if there be but one other rank that will be so composed.

54. When the guard consists of three ranks, the centre rank will be composed of the three corporals the most distinguished for regularity and precision, as well in their positions under arms as in their marching. The latter advantage, and a just carriage of the person, are yet to be more particularly sought for in the selection of the colour-bearer.

55. The corporals of the colour-guard will carry their muskets within the right arm, as will be prescribed at the end of Title III-bayonets always fixed. . . .

*The colour, in bad or windy weather, except in saluting, will be borne furled and cased. The heel of ferrule of its lance ought to have for support, a leather stirrup or socket, suspended from a belt, the latter buckled around the waist of the colour-bearer.

Extract from Regulations for the Army of the United States, 1904.

Article XV

The Post Noncommissioned Staff

93. The post noncommissioned staff consists of master electricians, Artillery Corps, ordnance, post commissary, post quartermaster, and electrician sergeants. They are appointed by the Secretary of War after due examination, as follows: Master electricians Artillery Corps from the Army or from civil life; ordnance sergeants from sergeants of the line who have served at least eight years in the Army, including four years as noncommissioned officers, and who are less than 45 years of age; post commissary-sergeants from sergeants of the line who have served five years in the Army, including three years as noncommissioned officers; post quartermaster-sergeants from sergeants of the line who have served four years in the Army; electrician sergeants from the Army or from civil life.

94. An application for appointment must be in the handwriting of the applicant, and will briefly state the length and nature of his military service, and for what time and in what organizations he has served as a noncommissioned officer. The company commander will indorse thereon the character of the applicant and his opinion as to his intelligence and fitness for the position. The application so indorsed will be submitted to the regimental or artillery district commander, who will forward the same, with his remarks as to the merits of the applicant, to The Military Secretary of the Army.

95. While the law contemplates in these appointments the better preservation of public property at the several posts, there is also a further consideration-that of offering a reward to faithful and well-tried sergeants, thus giving encouragement to deserving soldiers to hope for substantial promotion. Commanding officers can not be too particular in investigating and reporting upon the character and qualifications of applicants.

96. Regulations for the examination of applicants for appointment as post noncommissioned staff officers will be published from time to time in orders by the War Department.

97. A post noncommissioned staff officer will assist the officer of his department, and will not be detailed upon any service not pertaining to his proper position, unless the necessities of the service require such detail, in which case the post commander will note the fact, with reasons therefor, on the sergeant's personal report.

98. A noncommissioned staff officer at an ungarrisoned post or station will be responsible for the property of his own department, and for such other property as

may be intrusted to him for safe-keeping. For all public property committed to his charge he will account to the heads of the staff departments concerned, and if the means at his disposal are insufficient for its preservation he will report the facts.

99. The military control of post noncommissioned staff officers serving at posts not occupied by troops is vested in the commander of the territorial department in which they are serving. All matters relating to them as soldiers subject to military command, as distinguished from the administrative duties imposed upon them by regulations and orders, will, except in cases of reenlistment, be determined at department headquarters, where their descriptive lists and accounts of pay and clothing will be kept. When they are discharged a copy of the descriptive list, upon which will be noted the fact of discharge, with the date, place, and cause, and the character given on the discharge certificate, will be forwarded to The Military Secretary of the Army.

100. Each post noncommissoned staff officer will make such personal reports as may be required by the head of the corps or department to which he belongs. The officer under whose orders these noncommissioned officers are serving will indorse on each separate report his opinion of the manner in which the noncommissioned officer has performed his duties, and the commanding officer will forward the report direct to the chief of the proper bureau or corps.

101. A post noncommissioned staff officer may be reenlisted, provided he shall have conducted himself properly and performed his duties in a satisfactory manner. If, however, his commanding officer should not deem the reenlistment to be for the best interest of the service he will communicate his reasons to The Military Secretary of the Army in time to receive the decision of the War Department before the soldier's discharge. If serving at an ungarrisoned post application for reenlistment will be made by the soldier to The Military Secretary through department headquarters. The reenlistment paper will immediately be forwarded direct to The Military Secretary, except in the case of soldiers stationed at ungarrisoned posts, in which case it will be forwarded through department headquarters. A post noncommissioned staff officer will be furnished with a warrant signed by the chief of the proper bureau or corps. The warrant will remain in force so long as the soldier is continuously in the service, i.e., if he reenlists the day following that of his discharge. Every such reenlistment will be noted on the back of the warrant by the officer who reenlists the soldier, as follows: Reenlisted (date); warrant continued.

102. Post noncommissioned staff officers, though liable to discharge for inefficiency or misconduct, will not be reduced.