ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT OF THE U. S. ARMY. One of the divisions of the United States Army, to which is assigned the duty of by purchase or manufacture the ordnance and ordnance supplies required by the army and distributing the same. Accordingly time establishment and maintenance of arsenals, armories, and depots for the manufacture and storage of ordnance are n-signed to this depart ment. The regulations define ordnance and ord nance stores as including cannon and artillery carriages and equipments; apparatus and ma chines for the service and mameuvre of artillery; small arms, ammunition, and accoutrements; horse equipments and harness for the artillery: tool-, machinery, and materials for the ordnance service. This department is under a Chief of Ordnance, who has the rank of brigadier-gen eral while serving, in this capacity, and in 1903 there were four colonels, six lieutenant colonels. twelve majors, twenty-four captains, twenty-four first lieutenants, one ordnance store keeper with the rank of major, and 110 ord nance sergeants. Previous to the Army Bill of 1901, the officers in the Ordnance Depart ment held permanent appointments. hut this act
provided that line officers should be detailed to the Ordnance Department by time President for a period of four years. Before an officer can he so as-igned he must first pass a rigorous exam ination in which his professional qualifications are thoroughly tested. The officers, in addition to a thorough scientific military training, must possess a thorough knowledge of mechanical engineering in general and especially in its application to the various engines of war. This department has al ways maintained a high standard and many im portant inventions have been made by its mem ber-. In fact, the larger and more important guns constructed in the United States have been designed and constructed by the officers of this -department at army arsenals instead of at the shops of private corporations, as is the ease in most European countries. See ORDNANCE; ORD N AN CE ESTABLISHMENTS.