The Lamar Register

Engineers for the Army.

Hardships and Peril the Lot of the Mechanical Branch.

The present quite large United States army has been found deficient in the important matter of engineers, the battalion consisting of only 500 men. A brigade of three regiments of volunteer engineers is now being recruited—two in the West and one in the East. These are special organizations which the president has been authorized to accept. These regiments are made up entirely of skilled mechanics of all kinds—general utility or handy men—who can do almost anything of a mechanical nature. Among them are found machinists, electricians, telegraph linemen, carpenters, timber framers, tunnel men, bridge men, erectors, iron men, riggers, lumbermen, boatmen, railroad men and so on. These men are being chosen with great care, none but first-class workmen passing muster. No class of men entering the army make so great a sacrifice, from a pecuniary standpoint, as do these engineers. They all earn good wages—none less than $3, and some more than $4, a day—at their trades. They resign this lucrative employment to serve their country for $20.40 per month as first-class privates and $15.60 as second-class privates. Each company consists of ninety-one men, who are graded by the officers. Their mechanical knowledge and ability as workers are to be utilized in the construction and destruction of fortifications, field works, entrenchments, bridges, roads, railroads, tunnels and general field engineering work. In addition to their regular service they are armed and drilled as infantry soldiers, and are expected to fight when necessary, particularly in their own defense. Their position is a hazardous one, since they will often be called upon to work under the direct fire of the enemy. They will, as a matter of course, be well supported, but they, rather than the infantry that has undertaken to protect them, will draw the Spanish fire. These regiments will prove invaluable in Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, where much engineering work must be done. One company of the regulars has already sailed for Manila.