The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-13
CONGRESSIONAL.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.


SIR have the honor TO submit TO you the following
report upon the several branches Of the public service
confded to the superintendence Of the War Depart
ment
The provisions of Congress for the increase and
ganzation Of the Army have been carried into
ton, far the limited time since the passage OF the
act and the circumstances Of the country would permit
The eighth regiment Of infantry authorized by law has
been raised, ofhcered, and equipped for the field
have four additional companies OF artillery. The staff
of the army has been completed in every department.
according to the intentions Of Congress- and will form
most efficient branch Of the service In execution of
the law Of March 2, 1921, which says, THAT each
regiment Of artillery shall consist Of colonel,
lieutenant colonel one major. ono sergeant major, one
quartermaster sergeant, and nine companies one OF
phich shall be designated and equipped hgM arfile
w." have caused one company Of artillery to be mount
ed and armed with their appropriate arm is very de-
srable that the intentions of this provision OF the law
which have been so long postponed, should be carried
into effect without further delay; and would recon-
mend that this description Of force important 10 the
composition Of an army and efficient in the field. be
increased by separating two companies from each reg
ment Of artillery, and forming with them bsttaons
OF light artillery 10 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 10 add very
sderaby TO It's effective strength will be that Of tho field
officers of tho battalions. X. 4
The army has been actively and usefully EMPLOYED
will be seen from the report Of the commanding Gene
raj partly on the southwestern and northern frontiers
and partly in the Cherokee country. With view to
render It more efficient | would recommend that tho
places and manner Of quartering and staoning the
troops in time ofpeace be changed. Scattered in small
attachments and distant posts would he impractical
to unite any part of II sufficient strength to make an
effective resistance upon any point Of either frontier;
and equally SO 10 mpart TO them that discipline and skill
in military maneuvres which they will have to practise
IN time OF war, and which will enable them to an
enemy in the field on equal terms The object OF our
forresses is to defend harbors and the first
progress OF an enemys arms and this may be effected
by small garrsons Of regular troops, aided by we'll
trained militia. Our militia covered by works and for
thcations have proved themselves from their dextery
in firing. to be superior the best European troops
but it cannot stand against them in the field, from It's
want Of instruction and military organization IT. there
FORE the army is TO remain shut up foresses, and
militia TO be depended upon to march ths.: relief, in
case OF nvason we fail TO avail ourselves OF the ad-
vantages that may be derived from the different qualities
oil these troops In the present state OF the art IF
fortress is impregnable and each in its turn would
be forced TO yield, if attacked unless there army
ready to march its relief for the militia although
perfectly competent to defend the forts, would be found
incapable of contending with disciplined troops in the
field, or Of stornng an intrenched 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 to the relief Of any point
that may be menaced or attacked. The points which
appear to be best calculated for such stations
here indicated are, in the State Of New York Lake
Chaplain, whence troops may be moved with facility to-
wards the northern frontier and protect the
seaboard. In Pennsylvania, at Carlisle, where exist
already good barracks, and from whence troops may be
moved rapidly upon any point Of the coast north Of the
Chesapeake In the State Of South Carolina or Georgia.
not far from the head waters Of the Savannah river.
commanding position may be occupied, from whence
troops might be transported to any point between the
Chesapeake and Florida with nearly equal expedition
Thpf 7 Il, IafJ.
barracks central post as regards the Southwestern
frontier Louisiana, and all the Western States pre-
sentng extensive lines of water communication which
greatly facilitate the movements Of troops upon any point
OF the western division These stations, supplied with
competent regular force. and, when the occasion re-
qures it, augmented by the hardy militia collected
from the neighborng States, would be able to contend
successfully with any force that could be sent against
this country whilst small garrisons Of regulars aided
by the volunteers and militia of the maritime and inland
frontiers might occupy the forts and defend them until
the corps fdrmee, nearest the point attacked could
march to their relief In no other way can an extern
sve line Of frontier like that oftho United States, be
defended BY small army such as ours. To carry this
into effect, it will be necessary to ask Of Con-
gress an appropriation for the purpose Of erecting and
extending the accommodations for the troops at the
points Indicated ..S
The sparse population of the Western frontier, and
the number character, and proximity OF the enemy
have to guard against that quarter will require that
the garsons Of the several posts should be stronger
than 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 Il 10
be regretted that those measures were not sanctioned
by Congress al its last session The laws of the I'd
july 1886 in progress OF execution, and every
ton has been made to meet the wishes Of the trainers
Of it, The survey Of the whole line of road has been
made, aud part o. put under contract should not
however discharge my duty to the officer charged
with this branch Of the public service, il / refralned
from reitcatng my opinion that the plan proposed by
that law would not only be Inefficient but If carried
its full extent would produce immediate hostli
ties with the Indian tribes that frontier So conf
dent am | that the withdrawal Of the garrison from
Fort Gibson would be the signal Of outbreak the
part of the Indians that have ventured to suspend
the execution Of that part ofhe law until opportunity
could be given to Congress to reconsider that order
and would respectfully suggest that the position Of the
posts, the directions of the lines of communication,
and all the details relating to the defcnces of the from
tiers should be left to that department Of the Govern
mem, which responsible for the peace and defence Of
the country. | will briefly recaptulate the plan Of de-
fence proposed by me, IN order bring again the
notice Of Congress- with expression Of my convic-
ton that if adopted, it will prove ecctua for the pro-
lection Of the settlements that frontier, and will i'm
pose such restraint upon the Indians to keep them
quiet and peaceabe. well enable the authorities OF
the United States fully 10 comply with their treaty sti
puations with those tribes and protect them against
intrusion from the whites. s
propose that the existing fortresses within the In
dian territory should be enlarged and strengthened and
others erected the Illinois river the line Of the
State Of Arkansas at Table creek the Missouri
river below the Platte and al the upper forks Of the
Des MONIES these stations to he connected by good
roads, perpendicular to the line defence, and connect
ing with interior line oposts to be established at
convenient points, to places of refuge for the
inhabitants periods Of alarm and danger, where they
could remain in safety until relieved by the regular
xyitb IF arms at
points udiciousy selected and good organization Of
the neighhorng militia, would furnish ample security