Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-11
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

Documents accompanying the Prssidents Message
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
November 81, 1884.
To ne President Of the United States:
Sra: The annual period for submitting to you
q statement Of the proceedings of this depart
ment having arrived, | have the honor, IN
conformity with your Instructions, to lay before
you an abstract of its operations, together with
the reports and estimates from the various ou-
reaus exhibiting the condition of those branches
Of the public service connected with It's admin
istration.
Since nv last annual Report, no military
movement of any Importance, with the cxcep-
ton OF the expedition OF the reg'ment OF drag
oons, has been rendered necessary. The re-
ports and information which have reached the
department respecting the situation Of the army
are highly gratifying. In its Discipline, its moral
character, and the general performance of its
duties, the Government and the country have ev-
ery reason to be satisfied with its condition and
prospects. AS a safeguard for the frontiers, as
a school of practical instruction, as a deposito
nv of military information, and as the means Of
preparing and providing in peace for the ext
gencies Of war, the present military establish
ment has fully answered the objects of its orga
~nization and support. And ii is but an act OF
Justice to state that, in all the essential requi-
sites Of capacity and conduct, the officers Of the
American army do honor to themselves and their
country.
1t is known to you that some Of the western
tribes Of indians, roaming through the extern
sive p~rairies west of Arkansas and Missouri,
particularly the Camanches and Kiawas, have,
for some years interrupted the peace OF that
quarter by predatory attacks upon citizens, and
upon the indigenous and emigrant Indians
whom We are under obligations to protect.
Their war parties have annoyed our citizens In
their intercourse with the Mexican States, and
have rendered the communication difficult and
hazardous. 1t became necessary to put a stop
to this state OF things, either by amicable re-
presentations or by force. Those remote
tribes have little knowledge OF the strength OF
the United States. or OF their own relative
weakness, and it was hoped that the display
Of a respectable military force, for the first
time in their country, would satisfy them that
further hostilities would lead to their deStruc-
ton.
The dragons, being peculiarly adapted to
this service, were ordered to penetrate into that
region, and to endeavor, by peaceable emon'
s~trances, to establish permanent tranquility;
and if these should fail, to repel any hostile de-
monstrations. which might be made. Fortunate
", the effects to introduce amicable relations
were successful, and the object Of the expedi-
ton was obtained without a single act OF hos
tility. Colonel Dodge, who led the expedition,
and his whole command, appear to have per-
formed their duties in the most satisfactory man.
ner; and they encountered, with frmness, the
privations incident to the harassing service up
on which they were called. Ii is to be regretted
that the prevalence of sickness prevented the
whole regiment from joining in this duty, as the
same zeal Tor the public interest pervaded the
whole; that sickness deprived the country of
some valuable lives, and, among others. Of Bri-
gadier General Le~avenworth. lmpelled by his
=. A. ~..r,ar khA .ta tr- Tf tho NC n M anf
he exposed himself while yet weak, to the hard
ships OF a border campaign and sunk under the
malady which these induced. His high person.
al character, his services during the late war,
and his exemplary official conductsince are too
well known to you TO equire from me any thing
more than this brief allusion to his worthey fate.
Among the accompanying documents will be
found a full statement Of the proceedings Of Col.
Dodge, and Of the satisfactory result of his cxpe'
dition.
The report Of the Chief Engineer contains a
summary Of the various objects entrusted
to his supervision, of their progress and condi
ton. IL will be seen that the Cumberland road,
east Of Wheeling, will be soon completed in the
manner required by an act of last session, and
for the amount allowed by law. No further ap-
propriations will be asked for. As much pro-
gress has been made in the other works, as the
advanced state of the season, when the appro.
priations were made. would permit
beg leave 10 ASK yOuf pdilSuiai ttchlo W
that part of the report of the Chief Engineer,
which recommends an addition to the number OF
the officers Of his corps. l believe the public
service requires this measure. New duties have
recently been imposed upon the engineer corps,
by express acts Of Congress; while in other
cases, il has been found necessary, by executive
regulation, to require from the officers services
not originally contemplated IN the organization
of the department. The erection of f%ortifica-
tions. the construction Of roads, the estab-
lishment of fixed points by astronomical obser-
yations in boundary lines, and the improvement
of harbors and rivers, are among the objects
Committed to the engineer officers. And ! feel
bound to report to you, that, as far as my obser-
walton or Information has extended, their duties
have been performed in the most satisfactory
and exemplary manner. In scientific acquire
ments, and in their practical application, these
officers are deserving of high commendation,
and it is very desirable thattheir numbers should
be so far augmented, as to insure their personal
attention to all the objects within the control Of
the Engineer Department. This cannot now be
aone. and the nnhlic service suffnrs in cnnse-