The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964 Page: 560
672 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
inspector-general, the visit is one of the most important events
of the year; to intermediate commanders the inspection is only
slightly less important. Few commanders are versatile enough
personally to fulfill all conceivable aspects of their official re-
sponsibilities or to perceive every aspect of their units which
needs remedial attention; hence the importance of inspections
by staff officers of the higher commanders' headquarters, and
particularly by the inspectors-general thereof.
An inspector-general's observations and reports are valuable
since they are ordinarily made by an officer of considerable ex-
perience and maturity. His greatest importance, however, resides
in his being the representative of a senior commander whose
understanding of a particular unit's condition and capabilities,
as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of its officers, is in a
considerable measure contributed to by the reports of the in-
spector. At the same time, some of the idiosyncrasies of an
inspector-general, whether they be evidences of his efficiency,
enthusiasm, or peculiarities, may come out during his inspec-
tions or in his reports. Descending from the rarefied atmos-
phere of higher military headquarters, an inspector-general some-
times develops an unduly inflated notion of the value of his own
opinions and ideas; however, this does not necessarily detract
from the effective performance of his military function.
The visit of an inspector-general makes the practical aspects
of army life a matter of special importance and the occasion
for a not inconsiderable period of preparation. In military units
there is never time to do all that should be done; and while some
of the time and effort employed in preparation for an "I. G.
inspection" may be unnecessary or unproductive, many things
which may have been allowed to slide for some time receive cor-
rective action.
It is for such reasons that the inspection reports on the army
posts in Texas by Captain William G. Freeman in 18532 and
by Colonel Joseph K. F. Mansfield in 1856" are important.
$M. L. Crimmins (ed.), "W. G. Freeman's Report on the Eighth Military Depart-
ment," Southwestern Historical Quarterly, LI, 54-58, 167-174, 252-258, 350-357,
LII, loo-io8, 227-233, 349-353, 444-447, LIII, 71-77, so,-2o8, 3o8-319, 443-473.
SM. L. Crimmins (ed.), "Colonel J. K. F. Mansfield's Report of the Inspection of
the Department of Texas in 1856," ibid., XLII, 122-148, 215-257, 351-387.560
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964, periodical, 1964; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101197/m1/638/: accessed May 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.