The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-17
THE PILOT.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.
WAR DEPARTMENT, DEC. b, lS4O.

DIR; Olnce my report OF Tue last yS"i N'i '
several branches of sthe public service commit
ted to my charge, the Army has oeeh acuVey
and usefully employed in Florida ana IN the
Northera and Western frontiers.
The design entertained by the Department,
of keeping the regiments entire, and concentrat-
ing the troops whenever it is practicable to do
so. has been perserveTed in with the most
beneficial results. A commencement has like
wise been made in establishing depots for the
reception of the recruits of each separate regl-
ment, where they may be drilled and dlsclplln-
ed before they are sent off to their respective
stations in garrison or the field. The recruit
ought never to be sent to join his company on
service until he is thoroughly taught the duty
of the soldier; and this instruction will be bet
fer given at regiment than at general depots.
Bv dividing each regiment into two bodies, In
the manner proposed, every important station
in the country may be occupied, either as a
Mace ofdepot or a rendezvous of the regiment;
and. bv proper distribution of the latter, the
intermediate forts may be Temporarily occupied
bv partial attachments, without injury TO the
discipline of the whole corps. | cannot too
strongly urge the adoption OF this method OF
distributing our little Army in time OF peace.
Todvide if into small permanent detachments
will be to destroy its efficiency and Its dlscl-
pline, and, in the event of war, to expose the
posts to be captured and the whole regular
force of the country to be uselesslY sacrihced:
Apart from that natural and wellgrounded
jealousy entertained against the existence OF a
large standing army in our country, sound
policy and due regard for economy render
such an establishment altogether unadvlsable;
and it becomes necessary, therefore, to provide
other means of defending our Northern and
maritime frontiers against the dangers to which
they would be exposed at the commencement
of a war. None other occur to me than those
| have already recommended, viz. Central
positions for the regular forces, from which
they could move upon any point OF attack or
defence; and such an organization OF the volun-
teer or militia forces as would enable them to
maintain the posts intrusted to their charge
until relieved BY the regular troops-a system
which ought to be matured in time ofpeace.
For the Western frontiers, posts garrlsoned
by regular troops cannot be dispensed with.
They need not be very large; but they ought
to be constructed of fre-proof materials, and
in such manner as to be defensible by small
garrison against any number OF men not proyld-
ed with artillery. A plan which will erect
these object perfectly has been devised by 'he
Chief Engineer, and been adopted. The quar-,
tiers for the men ought likewise, TO be built OF
UldlGIidtS anu NC
ed with iron single bedsteads in lieu OF the
double and treble wooden hunks now in use.
This change, for obvious reasons, should be
introduced into all the barracks in the United
States.
The chief and best position for the concen-
tration of troops, independently OF the regi-
mental rendezvous, is, for the Northern iron
tier. near Albany, in the State of New York;
and near ST Louis, in Missouri, for the Wes-
terB-points from which easy communications
radiate to every part of those extensive lines OF
defence, and whence troops may be transport
ed with certainty and iapdity wherever their
presence may be required. For the marlume
frontier of the Gulf of Mexico, would recon-
mend, in addition to the permanent iortlhcatlons
planned for its defence, and now being erected,
The establishment of a depot, somewhere be-
low the falls of the Ohio, for armed sea steam
vessels. This would seem to furnish the best
meals of Infringing the vast power OF the upper |
country TO the defence of the coast, and OF u.s.
ing il, when there, in the most efficient man
ner. A certain number ofvesSels fwar might |
be kevt in constant readiness, strong enough |
to carry a good battery, and light enough to |
descend the river at all seasons, and to cross |
the bars of the Mississippi. These boats ought
to be of iron, as combining lightness, strength,
and durability; and might be constructed OF The |
requisite size for about fifty thousand dollars
each Materials should be collected for the !
of boats to be built OF wood, and
stored until wanted; when, with the vast re-
sources in workshops and mechanics along the
shores of the Ohio they might be put together
in very short time, and a fleet, equipped and
manned with the hardy boatmen ofthe Wes-
tern waters and few able bodied seamen,
might be fioated to the ocean, fully equal, with
the existing and contemplated notifications, to
protect the Whole Gulf frontier. The very a
BILE report on the defences of the country, made
by board of distinguished officers, and sub
mitted 10 Congress during the last session, proves
the absolute necessity of preserv7
ing and continuing our system OF permanent
maritime works OF defence, and exhibits in the
dearest manner their superiority over floating
batteries of any and every description. In this
view of the subject fully concur, and even
hink that the facility with which our coasts
md harbors may be approached and entered by
steam vessels OF war renders strong permanent
works mere than necessary. The projectles
which will be used in future wars will, from
heir size and description, prove destructive 10
my wooden battery, and give an immense ad-
,antage to stone walls over any fabrics that
IAN be penetrated by shells. 1t may be pro-
,er here to remark, that the capture Of the cas-
lie of San Juan de Ulca, at Vera Cruz, has led
many persons 10 suppose that stone revetments
night be destroyed by shells This is incor-
,ect. After that event, / caused experiments
o be made at Old Point Comfort, by firing, at
,oint- blank range, against stone wall erected
or the purpose; the shells broke against TINA
ding very little impression. No doubt, there
ore need be entertained Of the ability of our
building materials to resist hollow shot. do
,ot thiGk, however, that the permanent works
'hould be the only defences relied upon, but re-
gard ,uoveabe steam batteries as essential au-
These ought not, in my opinion, to
De large vessels, but of light draught of water,
capable ofcanying two guns for throwing shells
II eight or ten inches diameter, and SO con-
structed as to present small surface to the fire
,f an enemy These steam-batteries should
be manned by artillerymen, and be under the
command ofthe officer charged with the defence
,f the harbof Notifications, so as to secure har-
many of action. In order to test the practical
Diity of making bomb-cannon of the calibre Of
.>~l,-- thoH Chsaf of Ar n Nolopal