James W. Ripley to J. U. Kelton, August 27, 1862

Col. J. U. KELTON, Ohief of Staff, Headquarters of the Army :

Sir: The frequent requisitions for varieties of ammunition and other ordnance supplies for guns of special patterns induce me to cail the attention of the General-in-Chief to the evils, heretofore noticed and protested against by me, which have resulted from the introduction into the military service of new inventions without a previous subjection to the tests and examinations prescribed by army regulations, and essential to the ascertainment of their merits or fitness for use as military weapons. These evils have been going on and increasing until we have now not less than six hundred different kinds of cannon ammunition requisite to meet calls for supplying the various kinds of cannon in military use, notwithstanding the obvious propriety of uniformity, as far as practieable, in this respect, and the efforts which this department has made to obtain and secure it. Many of these guns are of a description requiring a special kind of ammunition and other supplies ; in some cases a@ monopoly of manufacture, secured by patents, and in others, it is believed, purposely so made as to force a resort to certain manufacturers for such supplies. It is manifest that delay in furnishing, and confusion in using, such supplies must occur, to the serious injury ef the service,

Although this evil has been seriously felt, and is still to a certain degree, in regard to small-arms, it has been so far reduced as to be manageable, and the interests of the public service require that the same should be done in regard to artillery. Measures should be taken to rid the service of all such irregular pieces as thus embarrass the operations of the artillery, and to supply their places with, and restrict issues in future to, such only as have been or shall be regularly, and after due tests and examinations, adopted for the land service. I desire the aid and influence of the General-in-Chief in adopting measures to effect this object, and suggest for consideration in this connection the assignment of an officer of rank and practical experience of artillery service in the field to the place of inspector of artillery, who shall be specially charged with this duty.’ I offer this merely as a suggestion, which, in my opinion, may effect the end in view, deferring to any other measure which may be considered more effective.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,