Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Memoir on the militia of Massachusetts

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"None but an armed nation, can dispense with a standing army." The truth of this axiom is ever apparent whether we listen to the loose traditions of savage life, or consult the more regular through hardly less ferocious annals of civilized society. Some philosophers have asserted that a state of war, is the natural state of man; and however philanthropy may receive their opinions, the Biography of individuals, and the History of Nations, will go far, very far, to prove that the Theory is well founded.
Whether it is most [2] expedient to be an armed nation or to support a standing army, will not here be discussed. The Constitution of the State has established the former, and the general opinion depreciates the latter. From the peculiar situation of our Country, arising from the nature of its population, and employments, the education, and early habits of the Citizens, it is certainly capable of becoming respectable and formidable, by a Militia system. The country is now in that state, in which a well organized and disciplined Militia, would be more powerful than the most numerous crowds of mercenaries. The words of a celebrated writer* speaking of the Romans, may be applied to our present situation; a situation, which every lover of his country, will ardently hope, we may long have virtue to preserve. "In the purer ages of the Commonwealth, the use of arms was reserved for those ranks of citizens who had a country to love, a property to defend, and some share in enacting those laws, which it was their interest as well as duty to maintain." [inserted in the left margin: *Gibbon]
If the Militia establishment is of vast importance to the United States, and to the States individually, Massachusetts is certainly not less interested than the others, in the completion of the system ...
[3] ... It is the intention of the present memoir, to take a brief and faithful view of the actual state of the Militia in Massachusetts; and without despairing at its wretched appearance, to propose a few simple alterations ...
[4] ... The militia duties are a burden to the Citizens without being an advantage to the state. The people are called upon four days in the year, by companies, and once in two years, in Regimental musters. What is the result? - The men from this loose desultory mode of assembling, perform their evolutions in the most clumsy manner, laugh at themselves and their officers and as soon as the company is disbanded, hurry to the Tavern, drink to inebriation, and the more dissipated finish the duties of the day, by quarelling and gambling.
The officers awkward in their uniforms, exercise a feeble restraint over a motley crowd, whose coats are as dissimilar, as their muskets and accoutrements. Some few uniform companies in the large towns, are an honorable exception to this general description, but they are more occupied with their own appearance, than by the duties they may be called upon to perform ...
[5] ... Twenty years of peace have revolved, since the fortunate conclusion of the war of Independence, ten more will soon glide away, and what then will be the experience of the officers of the Militia? Will it not be difficult to find one with sufficient knowledge of Tactics, to manouvre a single Battalion? - The simple severe duty of the soldier, is soon learned and practised; but the arduous science of the Officer, can only be acquired and matured by long experience, frequent exercise, and many combinations. From this
[6] From this mortifying, though I fear not exaggerated picture, I proceed, with alacrity to propose a few changes, that may produce a reform ...
[7] First ... The 10th, and part of the 2[9]th sections of the law of June 22 1792, to be repeated and instead of the four annual training days, and the biennial review of Regiments, The whole body of the militia shall be assembled in Divisions, and remain thus assembled one week, said week to be in the Month of October. [8] ... In this country, where it is most emphatically true, that "time is money," any encroachment upon the time of the Citizens, is a direct Tax, which they are most unwilling to bear. Yet in every Country, mutual sacrifices must be made for the common support ... Our ancestors were so avaricious of time, and so frugal of relaxation, that we look in vain for some of those numerous Holidays, the bane of Industry in Europe, that might be retrenched from the Calendar, and be more usefully employed. One solitary instance presents itself, which perhaps it would be impolitic to violate, and which is alluded to with the most respectfull deference. The annual Fast has been a custom of such long standing, that to doubt of its utility would be extremely absurd. Yet its occurrence [9] its occurrence in a busy season of the year, is the cause of many profane murmurings, that to a pious mind, may seem a balance for its advantages. Would it not be possible, to place this Fast, in the week that the Militia assemble, and let the different Regiments, hear a sermon from their respective Chaplains, which have been appointed by a recent law, and who in this way only can have an opportunity to exercise their functions. Their discourses by preaching the virtues of the Christian soldier, might have the most beneficial effects. If this alteration should take place, one day would be gained, and calculating the value of time, in the days now set apart, for military duty, and the contemplated time; the difference would be found equivalent to another, and thus, no additional tax upon time imposed, which would obviate the most prominent objection.
Another objection arises from the extent of Territory occupied by some of the Divisions in those parts of the state, where the population is scattered. This difficulty is very partial. The law should not impose upon any company to march more than thirty miles, to the place of assembling.
Where the [10] Where the Inhabitants are widely distant, the law might provide that they should assemble by Regiments, or Battalions.
A third question is the victualling and lodging. The Government ought to allow the customary rations, that the support of the men, while absent from home, should not be a charge to themselves. With respect to their lodging, barracks ought to be constructed ...
[11] ... The advantages of thus assembling the Militia in large Divisions, are too evident, to need illustration. The men should be employed the first part of the military week, in the manual exercise, and the more confined military movements. The last part should be occupied in various representations of skirmishes, and engagements; in which the Officers would gain some ideas of Tactics. One week of duty in this way, would do more to make men soldiers, than is done in twenty years, by the present loose, desultory mode of assembling, in small isolated bodies. Kept in strict discipline, during the time of their being together, order and regularity would be introduced, the soldiers would [inserted: gain] a just confidence in their own strength, the distinguishing and important characteristic, of regular troops. A proper respect for their Officers being encouraged, and a spirit of emulation excited; an undisciplined mob, would be converted into a regular, efficient, military force, able to assert and defend their rights and property.
[12] Second. The militia shall be all uniformed, and every Officer and private, shall wear his uniform on Tuesdays, and such Holidays as are commonly observed in this state, the 4th of July, thanksgiving, &c. &c. &c.
The preliminary indispensable step in organizing all armies, is cloathing the soldiers in a uniform dress. The distinction of military dress, has excited the vanity of mankind in all ages, and this vanity may be converted into a species of pride, most useful to the state. When a man assumes the dress, his pride urges him to acquire, the character of a soldier. The consequences resulting from this simple, apparently trifling expedient, must be striking to the most careless observer. How vastly superior in discipline, are the few uniformed companies in the State, to the motley crowd, that assemble four times a year, to waste powder according to law? What is it renders the Cavalry, and Artillery, so superior to the Infantry: certainly, because they are uniformed ...
[13] ... The remedy proposed is simple, and it is believed would be effectual. To oblige the people to buy a uniform, which would only be worn two or three times a year, would be a serious tax upon a large proportion of those who compose the militia. But every man is accustomed to have his holiday suit, and it is a vulgar though useful vanity, to be cleand dressed once a week ...
[14] Third. For the Future, all Field Officers shall be appointed by the Executive.
The spirit of Democracy, never conceived a more dangerous extravagance, than the custom, which this article is intended to correct. In military life the discipline must be severe, the obedience absolute. What an absurdity to expect either, when those who are to enforce, are the creatures of those who are to obey. Every soldier ought to feel that superior merit may raise him to command, but of this merit, his superiors should be the judges. Even in those states where Democracy most prevails, the military officers are appointed by the Executive. Such has been the supine state of our Militia, during a time of peace, that the evils of this system have not been felt, but in a time of war, the most ruinous confusion, the most dreadful anarchy, would arise from the abuse of this dangerous privilege ...
[15] ... Fourth. Medals shall be proposed for concurrence, to excite the emulation of the soldiers, particularly of certain corps, such as Artillery, riflemen, &c.
It would have a salutary effect if some mode could be employed, that would stimulate the exertions of the soldiers...
[16] Fifth. The Cadets, the body guard of his Excellency the Commander in Chief, shall be reformed, their privileges increased, and more duty and exertions required of its members.
To effect this purpose, the present officers should be requested to resign, (they may be reappointed hereafter). The Corps for the Future shall compose a Battalion, consisting of two full companies of foot ... The pride of the most respectable young men should be excited, to belong to this establishment [17] establishment, and the distinctions they possess, should oblige them to merit them, in the opinion of the public. The good policy of the government, would be discovered in making strenuous efforts, to raise the Militia from that contempt, (the truth must be spoken,) in which it is now held, by a large portion of the community. For this purpose, there must be gradations in respectability of different bodies, as well as in nominal rank of Individuals. Respectable men in all parts of the state, should be allowed to belong to the Cavalry of this corps, and the public opinion should be inclined to consider it as a flattering distinction ...
[18] ... Sixth. The Commander in Chief, shall have a certain number of aid de camps, who shall have the rank of Lieutenant Colonels, and be directed to visit the annual reviews, and make their annual report to him.
In the history of this state, it has rarely happened (and in this respect may the future be like the past,) that the head of the government, has been a military man. He has not often exercised the irksome office, of reviewing the army he commands. Nor is it necessary, that he should practise any of the details of military life. Yet from his Cabinet, it is a momentous duty, to view the situation of the militia; and in the character of a statesman, to be thoroughly acquainted with the state of this vast body ...
[20] Such are the alterations, which it is conceived would renovate the Militia; and reduce a disorganized multitude, to the restraints of order and discipline. The men assembled in large bodies, and in constant exercise, during one week in every year, would feel the importance of their profession, acquire some knowledge of its duties, and feel some emulation to excel in the exercise of them. The Officers would gain a knowledge of Tactics, and manoeuvering large bodies, and feel a useful pride, in their rank and situation. The regulation of wearing the uniform on Holidays, without any burthen upon the Citizens, will be the first step in improvement. The people will be once a week reminded of their military character. The renovation of the Cadets, by increasing the capacity of that corps, will offer a distinct body, whose privileges might be conferred as an honorary reward, upon young men of respectable character, who should distinguish themselves in different parts of the state. The appointment of the superior officers, [21] officers, by the Executive, would be a guarantee, that the greatest talents would be employed. The appointment of aid de camps to the Commander in Chief, would be a means of laying before him the particular situation of the Militia, in every part of the State. They would act as Inspectors, and their reports would serve to point out the meritorious and designate the negligent.
The present memoir might have been easily swelled to a more imposing size, but enough has been said to explain the authors ideas. If the changes contemplated, are considered adequate to remedy the evils of our present militia regulations, it will be easy to enlarge upon the subject. Many details respecting the uniforms, &c. &c. would naturally be suggested, and some more minute alterations, would grow out of the changes proposed.
Some change is necessary to create an efficient force, for the support and defence [22] defence of the State. It would be wiser to relieve the people of the burden of military service, than to encumber them with their present militia duties, from which the state can derive no advantage, expect no security.
It is believed with some confidence, that the reforms proposed, would regenerate the Militia, and prove the solidity of the position we have chosen, that it is better, to be an armed nation, than to support standing army.