William S. Rosecrans to E.D. Townsend, August 6, 1861

Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General: Every day’s experience with volunteer troops convinces me of the absolute necessity of having some officers of military education among e E GRIP. XTV J CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. / 555 them. Whole regiments are mustered into the service and sent upon active duty without a single officer who knows thoroughly company drill, much less the organization or drill of a regiment. Iam convinced that the detail of a second lieutenant from the Military Academy to act as major even would in six weeks increase the military power of a regiment at least one-third. If, then, the volunteers will this year cost the Government $300,000,000, this would produce the same amount of military at $100,000,000 less. This seems enormous, but I have no doubt of the truth of it. Can nothing be done? Appears there will be no difficulty in effecting this arrangement with all the regiments now forming. Are there not plenty officers in California that could be brought here? Please present this matter to General Scott.

W. S. ROSECRANS,