REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY INSTRUCTION.

President J. D. Runkle:

SIR:Since rendering my last report, the discipline and efficiency of the corps of students receiving military instruction has been much improved, and comparatively little discontent is now apparent. I have endeavored to make the instruction as little burdensome as was consistent with making it efficient. The instruction was given under many disadvantages, not the least of which was the want of a proper drill-room. Whilst the disciplinary rules which were adopted were neither harsh nor severe in themselves, they were felt as irksome by some of the students who had been accustomed to the comparatively loose discipline, or rather, absence of discipline, which prevailed previous to my reporting for duty. I have observed that the few cases which were at all troublesome were invariably those of students who were troublesome in other departments of the Institute. The inference then is fair, that the difficulties of making the military instruction at the Institute both respectable and efficient, are not inherent in its incompatibility with the strictly civil character and proper work of the school, but rest more particularly with the individual character of its students. In order to make military instruction effective, military discipline must be enforced during the hours assigned for that purpose. This discipline is necessarily more minute and less yield

ing than the ordinary discipline of a civil school, such as the Institute of Technology. But the inflexible exercise of it, at stated times, must have a tendency to make the students more amenable to the general discipline of the school, and of rendering impossible the stay of those unruly characters whose presence is injurious than otherwise.

In addition to the instruction in infantry drill, some instruction was given in artillery drill and signalling. Voluntary practice in day and night signalling was given at distances between stations ranging from one to six miles, and many of the students became skillful therein. The success of this instruction is due chiefly to the able efforts of Mr. Henry N. Mudge, who was Signal and Ordnance Officer during the greater portion of the year. Aside from its utility as a military exercise, the instruction in signalling may be useful to the students whenever they may be called upon to perform surveying, or other similar out-of-door work. It enables them to communicate at distances far beyond the reach of the human voice, but within the range of vision. It requires no special apparatus or preparation for either day or night communication.

Lectures were given on the following subjects, viz :

1st. "Discipline”—manner of establishing and enforcing it. 2d. "Feeding troops "- ingredients, proportions and manner of preparing food in camp and on the march.

3d. "Military Hygiene "sanitary measures necessary in camp and on the march.

4th.

"Military Courts" composition of, principles governing their actions, and the forms of procedure.

It is my intention to continue with the second year class, during the school year of 1874-75, the lectures upon the 3d of the above mentioned subjects. My aim in giving these lectures is to give the instruction which is essential to the proper care and preservation of the health and efficiency of troops when exposed to the abnormal conditions of the camp and the march. This instruction may be useful to the students when, as engineers, they are called upon to assume charge of large bodies

of workmen in the construction of railroads, or other similar work. A knowledge of the proper manner of feeding and taking care of these laborers can not but increase the efficiency of their services, and the amount of work accomplished in a given time.

The lectures upon Military Courts were given with a view of enabling the students to enforce their own discipline by courts composed of the officers of the corps.

The officers of the corps labored under great disadvantages in the instruction of their respective commands. There was such an absolute certainty of a change in the then existing system of tactics, that they felt and received but little encourso essential in agement in studying up the details which are acquiring proficiency of drill. They are deserving of much credit for the thoroughness with which they performed all duties assigned them. I beg leave to mention their names in this report, viz. :

STAFF OFFICERS RANKING AS FIRST LIEUTENANTS.

Adjutant,

Quartermaster,

B. Leighton Beal.

F. M. Learned.

Signal and Ordnance Officer, H. N. Mudge, resigned, succeeded

by C. H. Goodrich.

At the close of the school year, about fifty students desired to go into a voluntary encampment for a week. It was not at Such that time considered expedient to permit them to do so. encampment coming immediately after the severe tasks imposed by the annual examinations would serve as a most healthful relaxation, enabling me, at the same time, to impart some useful instruction. The experience would be such as to be useful to them as engineers, when required by their work to live in tents. Opportunities would be afforded for base ball, foot ball,

and other healthful out-of-door sports. Whilst such an encampment would serve as a recreation to the students, I feel confident that it will go far, from the pleasant associations which it will undoubtedly engender, in making more acceptable the military instruction, absolutely required as it is. I trust therefore that permission will be granted for this purpose.

So much of the school year of 1874-75 has elapsed at the time of writing this report, that I take the opportunity to briefly mention some of the changes which have been made during that time.

As a mistaken impression regarding the relative status of the military element seemed to have been gaining ground in the minds of some of the friends of the Institute, every effort, consistent with its efficiency, has been made to render it as little conspicuous in appearance as it is in fact. With this in view, black gutta-percha buttons have been substituted for the bright metallic buttons heretofore worn. The uniform, thus changed, is inconspicuous.

In compliance with the recommendation embodied in the report of the Committee of the Corporation "On the Military Instruction given at the Institute of Technology," the amount of writing necessary in the transaction of official business has been reduced as far as practicable. The amount of “redtape," so called, which was demanded of the majority of students, has been much exaggerated. It was, in fact, a demand of less than five minutes labor in writing explanation for one or more absences from required exercises, and but little more than one minute's labor in writing an explanation of tardiness.

The manner of appointing the officers is somewhat different than that of last year. Only acting appointments have been made, subject to approval and confirmation by the Faculty. The full appointments will be made after the semi-annual examination, at which time they will doubtless have shown their degree of fitness for different offices. The details of instruction and discipline have been left, in a greater measure than last year, in the hands and control of the officers. They have

performed their duties with a sound judgment and discretion. The burden of the responsibility in disciplining and instructing the corps has rested upon the acting Captains commanding companies. I would ask no better fortune, should I be called upon to organize a regiment for actual service, than to have these young gentlemen as my assistants. The acting Adjutant, Quartermaster and Signal and Ordnance Officer have efficiently performed essentially the same duties which they would be called upon to perform in actual service. The roster of acting commissioned officers is as follows, viz. :

STAFF OFFICERS RANKING AS FIRST LIEUTENANTS.

The report of the Committee (previously mentioned) leaves nothing for me to say regarding the beneficial effects of military instruction, from physical and mental points of view, nor of its necessity from patriotic motives and an honest intention to comply with the spirit, as well as the letter, of the terms of an obligation assumed. I feel confident that the graduates of the Institute will serve with credit in the ranks of the citizen soldiery, should they be called upon to defend their homes and

liberties.

Respectfully submitted,

E. L. ZALINSKI,

1st Lieut. 5th U. S. Art'y.