RECRUITING, a term prefixed to certain corps and districts, which are specifically established for the recruiting service. Hence recruiting districts.
All recruits made for the regular army of the U. States, are inlisted for five years. In almost every service in Europe men are enlisted for a certain number of years, except the British, who inlist for life. Experience has convinced the powers upon the continent of Europe, that the system of binding a man during the whole course of his life to military subjection, is contrary to every sound principle of œconomy, and effective service.
The following are the established forms and instructions for the recruiting service, established by the United States.
Instructions to Recruiting Officers, respecting the rendering and settlement of their accounts of bounties and premiums for recruits.
I. Every recruit shall be inlisted, and receive the first payment of his bounty according to the [form] marked (A.)
II. Every officer employed in recruiting, shall, at the expiration of each calendar month, make musters according to the [form] marked (B.) embracing all the recruits inlisted by him; one set of which muster rolls he is regularly to transmit to the office of the paymaster of the army of the United States, at the seat of government.
III. Every officer on quitting the recruiting service, or before, if it is by proper authority required of him, shall state his accounts according to the [form] marked (C.) (D.) and transmit the same without delay to the office of the paymaster of the army of the United States, at the seat of government, or to the paymaster of the district in which he held his rendezvous; who shall with all possible dispatch examine and adjust them.
(A.)
STATE
I born in aged years, feet inches high, of complexion, eyes, hair, and by profession a do hereby acknowlege to have this day voluntarily inlisted as a soldier in the army of the United States of America, for the period of five years unless sooner discharged by proper authority; do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing as is, or may be established by law. And I do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles of war.