Mr. NESMJTH. I may not be able to give a satisfactory answer to the Senfrom Iowa in relation to the necessity for 2 majors. I might perhaps answer him by asking another question: what is the necessity for a colonel and a lieutenant colonel in a regiment, or the necessity for a captain and 2 lieutenants in a.company? It has been found ever since we have had an Army, and in fact in foreign ar mies, that it was necessary to have 2 officers above the rank of captain and below the rank of lieutenant colonel in each regiment. I will not undertake to explain the formation of the regiment in the field and show the positions that those officers occupy. That is matter of detail which I do not propose to go into on this occasion; but it is understood to be an absolute necessity. Now, in relation to the volunteer regiments having but one major during the time of war, let me say those volunteer officers were always on duty with their regiment, or at least were supposed to be. During the time of peace, in addition to the services that are required at military posts in the way of commanding and discharging the duties of officers, regiments are generally broken up into detachments. It is found to be necessary to have some officer above the rank of captaui where there is a batmlion together. For instance, if a regiment is divided into 2, 3, or 4 detachments, there should be a field officer with each detachment. In addition to this we find that in time of peace there are constantly details made from the Army of officers for duty that perhaps does not directly or legitimately belon to the Army. There is the recruiting, and ere are various public works, and we have today provided in this bill that 20 officers may be detailed to colleges. Uiere have always been complaints in the Army in time of peace that the companies, and regiments, and battalions were destitute of olhcers in consequence of their being detailed to other duties not connected with their regiments or companies. Some of them are detailed as professors atWestPoint; others of them are detailed to superintend the construction of public works; others are detailed on recruiting service; and officers are being constantly taken from their commands and sent upon details. The chair man of the ComMilAffrs had a communication l cannot lay my hand on it now from GenlSherman , General Thomas and General Meade, in which they protested against provision being made in this bill for these special details as it was taking constantly officers from the Army; and they stated that in times of cacc they always found at military posts and ) with armies upon the march that there was an insufficiency of officers to discharge the duties. I trust that the amendment of the Senfrom Iowa will not he adopted. I think that the reasons are ample, an if he will consult any military man or any officer of hi 11rank I am satisfied he will be convinced of this necessity for 2 majors to each regiment. I trust the amendment will not be adopted.