R. H. Chilton to Executive Department, January 25, 1864
January 25, 1864.
January 25, 1864. General S. COOPER, C. S. Army, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: Agreeably to your request I give to you my reasons for believing that the establishment of a bureau of inspection under your department would prove infinitely beneficial to the Government. Outcries prevail over the whole country against the extravagances and abuses committed by the Government officers and agents in all of the departments of the Army, in and out of the field. Much alleged is doubtlessly true, although in many instances exaggerated, and many, beyond doubt, originate in ignorance of their duties on the part of agents and of their rights on the part of theinjured. It unfortunately too often happens that persons falsely assuming the character of Government agents impress, and between such imposition and the rightful exactions of authorized agents, made, however, in too many instances in an arbitrary and arrogant manner by those who do not duly appreciate the relations between themselves and those with whom they are dealing, a spirit of dissatisfaction is being aroused against the Government, almost amounting to disaffection, which, unless remedied, may lead to disastrous consequences. The Government, ignorant of these facts, receives all the odium of sanctioning them, and, although whenever reported, it strives to correct the isolated cases brought to its notice, it effects nothing toward removing the spirit of general complaint, because such corrections are not generally known. The evils complained of are apparent to all in the vicinity of all the towns, depots, and entrepdts scattered over the country and are publicly commented upon, but there being no particular person or department charged with correcting these evils, though all admit the importance of correction, no one is disposed to assume the responsibility of bringing them to the notice of the Government.
The means for receiving such information and to enable the Government to apply correction would be in the organization of the bureau of inspection, which might readily be done under that of the Adjutant and Inspector Generalâs Department. The benefits to be derived from such a bureau are incalculable. The strength and organization of our armies are obtained through the monthly and field returns, but nothing is known respecting their condition in the way of armament, discipline, instruction, and all interior arrangements which promote their efficiency and reliability. This issecured in this army by the tri-monthly reports received from inspectors belonging to the different organizations from the brigades up to corps. Through the system in this army officers are held to a strict observance of all orders emanating from all the headquarters up to those from the War Department. All deficiencies in drill, discipline, miliitary instruction, arms, accouterments, transportation, and, ina word, in any of the requisites for securing efficiency in the different arms of service, are brought through these reports to the notice of the commanding general. In addition to this the examination of the accounts
of officers of all the different departments are made, the observance of property accountability is exacted, the loss or destruction of arms, &c., charged as circumstances require to officers or men, and of all other public property misappropriated, leading through the instrumentality of inspectors to an observance of property accountability in officers and men which has saved thousands of arms to the Government, vast sums to the Treasury in the greater care secured to all kinds of public property, and at the same time has greatly improved the discipline and efficiency of the army.
There are very few cases of fraud which have occurred in this army, and wherever occurring have been promptly brought before a court-martial. With inspections impending over them at all times, in so far as their accounts go, there has been for twelve months past a most commendable observance of regulations in the rendition of accounts, considering all the difficulties under which this army has labored. Inspectors look to the preservation of private property in the vicinity of camps, and where damages are committed, to prompt indemnity to the injured and punishment of offenders whilst stationary, and on the march prevent straggling and the depredations consequent upon such irregularities. These are some of the numerous duties required from and performed by the army inspectors, making them, where efficient, the most important officers we have. Extend a system which has so manifestly improved the army throughout the Confederacy, and what would be the probable results? Doubtless the measurable, if not entire, correction of the abuses already mentioned with a large increase of the effective force in our ranks. At almost every town, depot, and entrepot are to be found a number of staff officers with their retinues of detailed or exempted men, drawing commutation of fuel and quarters and purchasing supplies of the Government for themselves and families, entailing enormous expenditures upon the Treasury, and depriving our armies of supplies greatly needed. The first, in many instances, as superfluous, could be sent to the ranks, and the latter, substituted by partially disabled men, might be remanded to their companies. There are also many able-bodied, stout, healthy men nominally employed about the hospitals and by conscript, tax, and other bureaus seattered over the country, who should and would be forwarded to their companies. It is unnecessary to proceed further in the enumeration of benefits to be derived from a system whose usefulness has been recognized and adopted by every other government, it is believed, but our own, and I am satisfied that in addition to the greatly increased efficiency which it would have secured in all departments, millions would have been saved to the Government in the more strict observance of property accountability, which it would have brought about in every branch of the service. This result can yet be obtained in the future by the establishment of such a bureau, if organized. In addition to the officers in charge of the bureau there should be ten officers (colonels) of intelligence, energy, and perfect reliability to perform inspecting duties; the Confederacy to be divided into the same number of districts, which should be inspected successively by these officers; no officer inspecting the same district twice in succession, or, preferably, not until he had passed over all the other districts. By this means, in making their reports, which should be secret and only to be communicated to parties interested as the discretion of the Secretary of War might determine, inspectors would be particularly cautious in stating facts, and act unbiased by prejudice or partiality, knowing
CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES. 45
that his reports would be compared with those of the officers preceding and succeeding him, whereby inaccuracies or favoritism would be exposed.
In all cases where abuses were observed, requiring immediate corrections, special reports could be made, to be submitted for the action of the War Department. A manual prescribing the general duties of such officers can readily be drawn off, questions arising under special cases to be submitted for decision by the departments. The rank of these officers should not be less than that of colonel, as such is the grade held in some of the corps already, and it is necessary in inspecting tried and veteran troops, which would be required in passing over most of the districts, that the inspector should have that character and rank which would secure attention and deference to his wishes and respect for his office. Through their means the Government could keep itself advised of the condition of all of its forces; the capabilities of the different officers, both of those holding high commands and of those of lower grades giving promise of future ability, from whom to select for promotion; the relative efficiency of different organizations; the confidence of the troops in their commanders; the general spirit among the troops, and the military and political aspect discovered in different districts, with the resources in the way of supplies to be obtained from each.
I submit the foregoing views as suggestive, not doubting, general, that your own great experience and knowledge will determine upon some plan which may lead to the results desired.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Asst. Adjt. and Insp. Gen., Army of Northern Virginia.
[JANUARY 25, 1864.âFor Lee to Seddon, in relation to the effect of
authorizing individuals to raise companies of artillery and cavalry,
see Series I, Vol. XX XIII, p. 1120.
Tallahassee, January 26, 1864.
Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,