1. Regard to the religious habits of a large number of the people has led Congress to appoint, or permit the appointment, of chaplains to supply such religious instruction and services in the army and navy as might be felt desirable by those concerned. Though chaplains are not properly officers of the government, they are employees of it, for they are appointed by its[597] authority, and paid from its treasury. Those in the army receive the same pay and emoluments as a major of infantry; or this was the compensation allowed by act of Congress in 1812. But by an act of 1862, it was fixed at $100 per month, and two rations per day, for those in the army or hospitals. By the act of 1812, one chaplain was allowed to every brigade; but by an act of 1861 (during the civil war,) one for every regiment was allowed.
Navy chaplains, in 1835, received $1,200 per year. But in 1860 this was raised to a lieutenant’s pay; and this in 1862 was $1,800 per annum.
Chaplains in Congress receive $750 per annum.
2. The United States also employ a chaplain in the military academy at West Point.
From the foregoing it will be seen that in time of war, with one chaplain for every regiment, and one for every ship of war, and others in hospitals and military posts, quite a large number of clergymen are employed by the government.
This provisio............