Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-13
DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING TIE PRESIDENTS MEssAGE,I
DEPARTMENT. OF WAR 49,
December. l. 1925. 81 I

| december l, 1879 )'-5sr
SIR: Conformably to usage, submit a repor
on the administration of this Department during tn,
current year. For information in detail refer to
the accompanying reports prepared asreeably to my
instructions, on the various branches of the public
service, and marked from 4 TO X. No. a is the
report of Major General Brown. II presents the
number and condition of the Army, and the posi-
tons occupied by its different parts. The charac-
ter OF the army, for the excellence OF d>cipse,, ~
so satisfactory to emile the officers TO
daton. Deserlion, however, from the extent to
which 1t prevails, Is a serious evil. The state of
society, which presents so many advantageous pur-
suits 10 citizens, also the difficulty of appre-
heasion, may possibly render the evil remedies,
yet its results injurious the army, anu con-
stitute so heavy an item TO expenditures, that
any measure promising preventive should be D.
deF,ed. | therefore ecommend the plan proposed,
OF OBTAINING small portion OF he monthly pay OF
the privates till their final discharge. To effect
this, legislative aid is required. The good effects
resulting from the establishment of the school OF
practice at Fortress Monroe daily dev eloped in
the increasing Improvement of the Artillery corps
that important arm OF the public force. To realize
the anticipations which suggested that establish
inen, the use oil few horses is Indispensable for the
double purpose OF acquiring practical knowledge
oil Artillery and Cavalry exercise. When 1t is re-
collected That IN modern tactics these have had
the most decisive influence on the fate of battles,
the small additional expense proposed 10 be incur
red Tor the procurement of means, without which
they must be deficient in practical knowledge, bears
no proportion TO the manifest advantages which
such an addition would not fail to produce.
No maxim is believed to be sounder than that
which lnculcates the propriety of adapting military
peace establishment 10 an eventual state of War.
Economy and the genius of our institutions equally
require that such establishment should be reduc
ed to the smallest number which just regard 10 a
~ aasat 81 L l.
ton as viii, without entrenchng this maxim,
furnish the means OF extension in the event of ne
ceseity, Is therefore highly desirable Destitute,
we are, oil cavalry, that part of the military science
Is IN danger OF being lost. We are equally with
out the means OF a knowledge of the Artillery field
exercise These defects will, in part, be rerneded
oy The proposed plan as the whole artillery corps
Will successfully have the advantage Of this school
oil practice, each officer will understand the cavalry,
as well the artillery exercise and in the even,
OF war, will present ample materials FOR appoint
ments to ONCE In the corps of cavalry.
documents b, {, ID, 4, L, q, are reports from
the Quarter Master General. Commissary General
OF Subsistence, Paymaster General, Surgeon Gene
raj, Commissary General of Purchases and Ord
nance Departments, by reference TO which, il will
be that the a1.nInssr~.i~- al
have been conducted with zeal and success. And
although unexpected calls have been made on some
OF those Departments, from military movements in
the South, the expenditures have still been confin-
ed within the appropriations and il is due 10 he
| chiefs, well the inferior officers, in these
branches of the public service, notice paticulrly
that every disbursing officer, lar returns have
been received, has discharged his duty with fidelity
by the punctus application of the funds committed
to his care, that cent has been lost 10 the
government.
In executing so much oft the law of the last ses-
sion as apprcpra,es 900 for the armament, OF
ne
the Executive, OF obtaining cannon by private CON
tract, was adopted in preference TO advertising for
bidders. The reasons which induced the adoption
oil this course, after much consideration, pre-
sen,ed in the documents accompanying the report
of the Ordinance Department, and communica-
ted for the purpose OF presenting the subject to the
Consideration al Congress
Document II. is the report Of the Engineer De-
partment. Accompanying it is the report of the
' lsltors OF the Military Academy at Wesl Point
The warm commentators the latter contains, COM
Ing from such highly able authority, be
particularly gratifying TO the American people Ii
Is the nursery for this country of the military
art, on the cheapest plan, well the most eti-
cent furnishing annually supply OF officers for the
army, oil great promise, equal TO the demand prOdu-
ced by vacancies. To the military science proper
are added many auxiliary requirements SOME OF
which are adapted TO the walks OF civil lie, (partI-
cuarly Civil Eagineering) which, from the efforts
every where making by the General and State Gov
ernments for internal mprov ements, promises TO be
among the most beneficial acquisitions in the whole
range OF science. But what impars this institu-
| ton IFS predominant advantage over every other
establishment for the improv of our youth, is
the high moral character OF the pupils--the result,
OF an Impartial though memorable police, aided by
the insulated situation OF the institution, which Sc
parates 1t from the world, and, a consequence,
from the objects of temptation. The high esteem
which this Institution enjoys is indicated by The thou
sands applying for admission. The painful duty
OF rejecting % 30ihs, many of whom are well quail
hed is mitigaed only by the reflection, that in de-
signaling the fortunate candidates. the rule Of selec-
iioa Will be founded on mpSrality and equality.
10 ioruty which, cadet, whenever fit candidate
is presented, VIII be appointed from every Con-
gressonal District in the Union. This establish
ment to render 1t complete, requires legislative aid
In adition 10 the improvements suggested by the
visitors, many OF which highly necessary, and
for such estimates will be submitted, recommend
the purchase OF a few horses. The same reason.
already urged, showing the advantages resulting
from the use OF horses at Fortress Monroe, Wi
apply with equal force in favour of such an addi
ton at the Military Academy TO which NAV bt
added, that the cadets are ron.ned four years Il
the Point without horses, the art Of riding ii.el
must be greatly impaired, if not lost. United wild
its military advantages, will he the exercise il fur
: nishes, 20 friendly 10 the health Of the cadets
q BY reierence TO the report from the Engineer
y Department, II will be system Of lonifica
lions is progressing successfully could be ex
I pected Some delay aud embarrassment have 20
suited from the very limited number Of officers be-
longing TO the Engineer Corps, an increase o
whose numbers is required by the increasing duties
they have 70 perform. The law entitled an act tC
procure the necessary surveys, plans, & estimate s
s upon the subec. OF Roads and Canals, has recev
2 le,f b.
great PROTECTS nave engaged the chief attention o
TIE CoIps Of Civil and Topograplical Ensineers