Confidential Reports—Officers (1859)

Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Army, Adjutant General's Office, Horse Guards, 1st December 1859

Whether each officer is in possession of the latest edition of "The General Regulations and Orders," and of the "Rules and Regulations for the Field Exercise and Evolutions of the Army."

In these confidential reports the General Officer is to report on the following heads of information, viz.:—

Commanding Officers

What officers have been in command since the period of the last inspection not adverting, however, to any occasional command of a few days.
Whether the officer usually in command appears to discharge his important duties with zeal and ability.
Whether by a firm but temperate exercise of his authority a well-regulated discipline is established in the corps.
Whether his mode of carrying on the established system is such as to command the respect and esteem of the officers and the cheerful obedience of the men.
Whether attention has been paid by him to the instruction and training of the officers and men in the prescribed exercises and movements.
Whether the orders, which have been issued from time to time, are consistent with the general regulations of the service.
Whether the officers who may have been placed in temporary command have evinced ability, and a due attention to the maintenance of the system and discipline of the regiment.
Whether the system of command and treatment of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, as enjoined in the regulations, has been strictly pursued, and the use of coarse and offensive language carefully avoided by officers of all ranks.
Whether a due gradation of responsibility is established in the regiment, and particularly whether the captains are placed in the charge of their respective companies, and made responsible to the commanding officer for every part of its discipline, interior economy, and arrangement.

Field Officers.

Whether the field officers, from their attention and acquirements, appear to be properly qualified for command.
Whether they render due support and assistance to the commanding officer, in the various details of regimental duty.

Captains.

Whether the Captains appear to be well acquainted with the interior economy of their troops or companies, and to be competent to command them in the various situations of Service.
Whether they are duly qualified, and are habituated to “exercise discipline their troops or companies.” Subalterns.

Subalterns.

Whether the subalterns are active, intelligent, and have acquired the necessary degree of information on subjects connected with their duty, particularly in the practice of courts-martial.

Officers of Cavalry.

Whether they have been taught to apply the use of the different formations directed to be practised in the field, to situations in which they may be placed before an enemy.
Whether they have been in the habit of placing piquets, posting videttes, conducting patrols, &c.

Adjutant.

Whether from his zeal and acquirements, he is duly qualified for his situation.

Quarter-master and Pay-master.

Whether they appear competent to their situations, and discharge their duties in a satisfactory manner.
Whether the books consigned to their care are kept with accuracy and regularity.

Officers in General.

Whether the officers in general appear to have been properly instructed, and to understand their duties in the field and in quarters, and are intelligent and zealous in the performance of them
Whether, according to their several situations, they afford the commanding officer that support he is entitled to require from them.
Whether unanimity and good understanding prevail in the corps.
Whether each officer is in possession of the latest edition of "The General Regulations and Orders," and of the "Rules and Regulations for the Field Exercise and Evolutions of the Army."
Whether any of the officers appear, from age, infirmity, or any other cause, to be unfit for the service.
Whether any officer has been absent from the regiment for an unusual length of time.
Whether any officer recommended by the commanding officer for purchase of promotion appears not to be properly qualified.
Whether all confidential communications regarding the conduct of officers, whether arising from courts-martial or otherwise, have been handed over and preserved.
Whether any practical jokes are carried on at the mess table or elsewhere, and what steps have been taken to prevent them.

In the event of any officer not being qualified to perform his duty with advantage to the regiment, a special report of his incapacity is to be made and when any officer has been absent for an unusual period, the circumstances which may have occasioned his absence are to be fully reported.

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