Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-12-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WA

The PROVISIONS OF Congress Tor the ihctease a"u Ut
panizaon the Army have been carried into execution
as far the limited Time since the passage OF the act and
the circumstances Of the country would permit The
eighth regiment ofnfan,ry authorized by law has been
raised ocered and equipped for the heid as have our
additional companies Of artillery. The staff of tue army
has been completed in every department, according to
the intentions Of Congress, and will form most elc'ent
branch OF the service In execution oil the law OF Niarch
1921 which says, That each regiment OF artillery
shall consist of one colonel, lieut. colonel one major
one serg major, quarermaser serg l. and nine com
panes of hch shall be designated and equipped as
Hpht arcrq have caused one company OF artillery 10
be mounted and armed with their appropriate arm II
is very desirable that the intentions OF this provision OF
the law which have been so long postponed, should De
carried into effect without further delay; and would
recommend that this description OF force so important
in the composition of an army, and efficient in the
field, be increased hy separating two companies from
each regiment Of artillery, and forming with them two
battaons OF light artillery one to be stationed IN the
western and the other in the eastern division OF the
Army. :,
The only additional increase of the army attending
this arrangement, which is calculated TO add very con-
sideraby 10 its effective strength will be that oil Tie held
officers Of The battaions.
The army has been actively and usefuly employed
as will be seen from the report Of the commanding ge
neral partly the Southwestern and Northern tronhers
and partly ir the Cherokee country. With view TO
render il efficient, | would recommend that The
places and manner of quartering and satlonng the
troops in time of peace be changed Scattered in small
detachmenls aud distant posls would be impraccable
effective resistance upon any point OF either frontier;
and equally to mpart 10 them that discipline and skill
in military man9u.res, which they will have TO pracse
in lime OF war, and which will enable them to meet
enemy in the field equal terms. The object of our
forresses defend harbors and 10 the first
progress of enemys arms and this may be effected
by small garrisons Of regular troops, aided by well
trained militia Our mia, covered BY works and for
ttca,ons have proved themselves. from their dexiery
in firing be superior TO the best European troops; but
it stand against them in the field from lis want
of instruction and military organization. If therefore,
the army is to remain shut up in fortresses and militia
TO be depended upon 10 march 10 their relief Of
INVASION fail 10 avail ourselves Of the dvantaGes that
may be derived from the different qualities of these
troops In the present state of the art Of no fortress
is impegnabe, and each in its turn would be forced TO
yield, il attacked unless there was an army ready TO
march to lis relief; for the militia, although perfectly
competent defend The forts would be found incapable
Of contendng with disciplined troops in the field Of
slornng inttencbed camp My object would be-
therefore, to station the troops that they should form
centre around which the militia may rally and the
combined forces march the relief of any point that
may be menaced or attacked The points which appear
be best calculated for such stations here ind
Gated, are, in the State Of New York, Lake Cham
plain whence troops may be moved with facility ards
the Northern Eastern frontier and 10 protect the
board In Pennsy vana, at Carlisle, where exist already
good barracks, and from whence troops may be moved
rapidly upon any point of the north of the Chesa
peake. In the State of South Carolina or Georgia. no,
far from the head waters of the Savannah river,
might be transported TO any point between The Chesa.
peske and Florida, with nearly equal expedition.
The fourth station would recommend is Jefferson
Barracks central post regards the South western
frontier, Louisiana, and all the Western States pre-.
senling extensive lines of water which
greatly facilitate the Of troops upon any point
Of the western division These stations supplied with
competent regular force, and when the occasion re
qures 1t, augmented by the hardy militia collected
from The neghboring Statss would be able 10 contend
he Mt inst
this country; whilst small garisons of regulars aided
by the volunteers and militia of the maritime and inland
frontiers, might Occupy the forts and defend them until
the corps darmee, nearest the pon, attacked could
march to .her relief In other way can an exien.
sve line of frontier like that of the United States be
defended by small army such ours To carry this
measure into effect it will be necessary ask Of Con
gress appropriation for the purpose of erecting and
extending the accommodations for the troops al the
points indicated.
The sparse population of the Western frontier, and
the number, character and proximity of the enemy we
have TO guard against in that quarter will require that
the garrsons Of the several posts should be stronger
than on The maritime Northern and Eastern frontiers
and 1t is respectfully recommended that the measures
proposed by the Department for the defence Of that
frontier, the last year, should be persisted in 1t is to
be regretted that those sanctioned
by Congress al lis Inst session. The law Of the I'd
July 1886 in progress Of execution and every eyer
ton has been made to meet the wishes of the trainers
OF it, The survey Of the whole line Of road has been
made, and part OF it put under contract should not
however, discharge my duty the officer charged
with this branch Of the public service if RETAINED
from reiterating my opinion that the plan proposed by
that law would not only be inefficient, but if carried
out to its full extent would produce immediate hostili
ties with The Indian tribes on that frontier So conf
dent am l that the withdrawal Of the garrison from
Fort Gibson would be the signal OF an outbreak on the
part Of the Indians tha have yentured to suspend the
execution Of that part Of the law until an opportunity
could be given 10 Congress to reconsider that order
and would respectfully suggest that the position of the
posts the directions of the lines Of and
all the details relating to the defences of the frontiers
should be left 10 that department of the Government
which responsible for the peace and defence Of the
country will briefly recapitulate the plan of defence
proposed by me- in order 10 bring it again to the notice
OF Congress. with expression Of my conviction that
if adopted it will prove eectua for the protection
the settlements on that fronteI and will impose such
restraint upon the Indians TO keep them quiet and
peaceabe, well enable the authorities of the United
States fully TO comply with their treaty stipuatons with
those tribes and protect them against intrusion from the
whites.
propose that the existing forresses within the Indi
territory should be enlarged and strengthened and
others erected at the Illinois river the line Of the
State OF Arkansas; at Table creek, the Missouri
river, below the Platte and the upper rforks of the
Dee Mones; these stations 10 be connected by gooc
roads, perpendicular to the line of Defence and connect
ing II with an interior line Of posts 10 be established
convenient points, TO places of refuge for The
inhabitants in periods Of alarm and danger where the,
could remain in safety until relieved by the regular
troops This, with some additional depots of arms a
points Judclousy rejected, and good organization o.
the neghborng militia would furnish ample securil,
and protection TO the bordering States The works on
the exterior line especially should be built of permanent
materials, and in manner to insure the health and
comfort of The soldier, and TO be defended by small
garrison.
In order to maintain these remote posts al the least
possible expense, we'll 10 secure permanent and
seasonabie supplies, would recommend that farm be
attached to each of them, to be worked by given mum.
Der of laborers under competent superintendent with
the assistance Of the soldiers seed time and harvest
For this purpose it will be necessary have the au
thority of Congress TO hire the necessary number oil