SUBALTERN OFFICERS. 
387 
If men see that their own officer cannot be trusted to instruct them— 
not be it observed in any special knowledge, but in their ordinary 
regimental duties—they will inevitably lose faith in his ability to lead 
them. It is on these grounds most earnestly to be hoped that steps 
will shortly be taken to absorb all specialists, and transfer* their duties 
to battery officers. In advocating the abolition of special instructors 
the writer believes that he is supported by the general feeling of the 
junior officers of the regiment. Their employment has been condemned 
by nearly everyone whose opinion is really worth having, by no one 
more than the Quarter-Master-General of the Army. “ The days of 
special instruction for the education of recruits are numbered,” wrote 
Sir Garnet Wolseley more than two years ago,f “and company and 
troop officers must learn to teach their own men to drill, to shoot, and 
to ride without the assistance of musketry and gunnery instructors or 
of riding masters. 
13. The title which is written at the head of this paper may at first 
sight seem to be out of place in the journal of the Royal Artillery 
Institution. Undoubtedly questions concerning the personnel of the 
army cannot be discussed with the same freedom as questions relating 
only to the materiel. But the two subjects cannot be separated. 
Modifications in the one demand corresponding changes in the other, 
and progress in military science can only be achieved by the mutual 
development of both. Ought we therefore to exclude these subjects 
altogether from our discussions ? § It is against orders to prejudge 
military questions which are known to be under consideration by 
premature discussion; but the calm and sober treatment of subjects of 
general interest, so far from embarrassing the authorities, will surely 
* It would seem just to transfer their pay also. 
f The Nineteenth Century, March, 1878. “England as a Military Power in 1854, and 
in 1878,” by Major-General Sir Garnet Wolseley. 
X Nor should we forget the opinions of our own Colonel-in-Chief regarding the duties of 
subaltern officers—opinions which he has so frequently and so earnestly expressed. The 
writer well remembers standing as a cadet before His Royal Highness, together with others 
of his commission class, before leaving the Academy, when the Commander-in-Chief 
delivered one of those soldier-like addresses, of the art of making which he is so great a 
master. “ Gentlemen,” said His Royal Highness, “you have had the benefit of a highly 
scientific education. I congratulate you upon the fact. Depend upon it you will reap the 
fruits of your studies hereafter, and they cannot fail to exercise a great influence over your 
future lives. But do not forget that as subaltern officers you will be charged with the 
execution of small details of work. I ask you then to continue your studies certainly, but 
also to apply yourselves to the practical work of your profession. Give your whole 
energies to your daily duties, no matter how small, or how insignificant they may be. I 
speak to you as one who knows something of the British army and of British officers. 
Remember then, gentlemen,—and these shall be my last words to you —no detail is too 
small for a subaltern officer .” Not to multiply authorities it will be sufficient, in addition 
to the above, to quote the opinion of Bt. Major Maurice, R.A., the author of the Wellington 
Prize Essay. “ It se^ms to me ” he wrote “ to need no proof, that if our future fighting is 
to be of the kind I have maintained it must be, then the instructors of the men must be 
superintended by company officers, not by adjutants or musketry-instructors. Analogous 
changes will be required in each of the other arms.” Wellington Prize Essay, page 56. 
§“ Furthermore officers and soldiers are forbidden to give publicity to their individual 
opinions, in any manner tending to prejudge questions that may at the time be undergoing 
official investigation by the military authorities.” Queen’s Regulations. Section 6, 
para. 45. 
