1. an army is designed, in idea, to supply a powerful instrument of offense and defense, that shall so thoroughly organize and fuse together a large number of individuals that the whole shall act as one, and be perfectly under the control of the directing mind. an army fully realizing this idea, would suppress, in its military acts, all thoughts and sentiments of its individuals, and be used by its commanding general as he would use his own hand, arm and foot. it should move at his will, strike where, as long and as heavily as he saw best, and be to him a perfect machine as to obedience.
2. this idea is seldom more than partially realized; but it is the aim of all military drill, discipline, and law. the articles of war are the body of laws enacted by congress defining the relations of soldiers to their officers, so as to secure as fully as possible among a free people this thorough subordination, defining the conduct of the soldier toward his superior, prescribing the duty of the officer, and securing as far as possible in connection with such subordination the rights of the soldier.
3. they contain general directions concerning the organization, enlistment, and discharge of men, rules for leaves of absence, punishment for absence without leave, or for desertion, and other penalties for conduct improper or criminal in a soldier. many of these rules are very strict and the penalties severe, since a neglect to obey might endanger the safety of an army or the country, or interfere with the most important operations. war is a very exacting pursuit.
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4. it is relaxing also in some directions and rules are made requiring, and often without effect, obedience to some of the most common principles and practices of morality. it often becomes quite impossible to enforce these amid the fierce excitement and wild disorder of active warfare.
5. offenses committed in the army are not tried before a civil tribunal, but by a military court called a “court martial,” for the guidance of which a special code of rules is prepared. these are characterized by the brevity, decisiveness, and summary action that is so important to the effectiveness of all military affairs. the decisions of a court martial may impose all punishments even to condemning a man to death; but they are subject to modification, or commutation, or even may be wholly set aside by the president of the united states, who is commander-in-chief of the army.
the articles of war relate to all things important to the welfare, effectiveness, and safety of an army, and aim to provide for the comfort and protect the rights of the individual as well as circumstances permit. they consist of one hundred and one articles. the first one requires every officer in the army to subscribe to them before he enters on his duties.
