called for in the various departments, as clerks, in cases where the employment of a citizen clerk is not allowed. Like other extra-duty men, they are under the direction of the officer in whose department they are detailed, and their work may involve all the knowledge from that of a simple copyist to a complete knowledge of the administrative duties of the department they are in. 284. Clerks have the best opportunity of learning the administrative duties of the army, and, consequently, have better chances for promotion than in the ranks. The management and control of men, however, can only be learned by actual experience. 285. OFFICERS' SERVANTS.-Soldiers, with their own consent and that of their captain, may be taken by company officers as servants. They are, however, required to be acquainted with their military duties, to be completely armed and equipped, and to attend at inspections and reviews with their companies. (Regulations 124 and 125.) 286. The custom most generally resorted to, is for the soldier to appropriate his leisure hours to such service; and he is not excused from any of his duty with the company. A soldier cannot be required to perform any service for the private benefit of an officer or mess of officers, unless he consent and is mustered as an officer's servant. (Regulation 126.) 287. PIONEERS, SCOUTS, SPIES, EXPRESS-MEN, &c. -Soldiers are frequently employed in the foregoing capacities, in the absence of civilians. No specific instructions can be laid down for such duties. They generally receive their orders from the authorities directing the details, and are guided by the circumstances under which they are detailed. 288. PIONEERS are soldiers detailed to precede a command on the march, for the purpose of repairing the roads, bridges, &c. The pioneer party is usually composed of details of one or two men from each company in the command, with axes, picks, and spades, and sent in rear of the advance guard, but in front of the main force. An officer is usually detailed to direct the men in their work. It is not a permanent party, but only detailed for the cmergency; and when the necessity is over the men are returned to their respective companies. 289. SCOUTS AND SPIES.-It is sometimes necessary to have soldiers act as scouts and spies. This is often dangerous duty, under certain circumstances, and is, therefore, generally well rewarded. They are used to procure information of the enemy, and require peculiar fitness for the duty. 290. As long as the soldier wears his uniform, he only subjects himself to the ordinary dangers of war, principally of being captured and treated as a prisoner of war. When, however, he lays aside his uniform and assumes a citizen's dress, or other disguise, and is caught within the enemy's lines, the usual penalty is death by hanging. 291. The laying aside of his uniform, whilst it in creases the penalty if caught, diminishes the chances of capture; and the soldier must exercise his discre tion which alternative to choose; for no officer understanding the obligations of a soldier would require him to subject himself to the penalties of a spy against his will, however much he might tempt him with the promise of reward if he accomplished his mission. A soldier, however, can be required to go within the enemy's lines in uniform when the service requires it. 292. COURIERS.-For the purpose of transmitting information rapidly, mounted soldiers are sometimes detailed as couriers, express-men, or messengers. The route to be travelled may lead through an enemy's country; and it is necessary to wear the uniform, in order to save the soldier from the penalties of a spy. The duty is very similar to that of a scout. 293. The soldier should be prepared to destroy the despatches when in danger of capture; for which reason an intelligent man should be selected, in order that the contents of his despatches may be made known to him verbally, so that, if he is in danger of being captured and compelled to destroy his despatches, he may still be able to communicate their purport, if he should escape the danger which compelled him to destroy them. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. ORGANIZATION. 294. THE non-commissioned officers of a regiment and company, allowed by law in the various arms and regiments of the army, are as follows, viz.: 295. Volunteer regiments of infantry differ from the above in having one commissary sergeant and one hospital steward, and no principal musicians, in the non-commissioned staff, and four sergeants and eight corporals in each company. Two Principal Musicians. |