Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-12-27


Commissioned officers US
Non-do musicians, urliicers and prvaies, 1896
Total, 1864
Increase from the report of 1910, l24
Repored as present or on duty, 1882
Absent or sick, Sl2
Absent on detached service, 447
Needed to complete the Army, 1888
Recruited during the past year, 1922
Deserton in proportion to the number OF re-
cruits, has largely diminished rs compared with
the last year
OF the Army, $500 men now employed in
Florida but the number is 10 he reduced TO
| 3 900.
OF the operations oIlhe Army the Report says:
I On the western frontier, the Indians have been
kept IRON wars among themselves, and from hos
tilo acts against our citizens. With The exception
of some depredAtons aedged to have been COM
mitted in Texns by The CHddoes, tribe for whose
conduct that country is more responsible than we
are, the native tribes appear 10 he quiet, and nh-
cate no disposition 10 commence nggressions On
the northern frontier, the presence Of the troops
has been, and, doubtless will continue to be, OF
eminent service in preserving the peaceful rela-
lions of the country with The adjacent territories
Of Great Britain. AT the northeast, the small
force stationed near the disputed boundary line,
seems required for the same purpose
Within the year n new aspect bus been given
TO military operations N Florida. The minute.
ness and accuracy with which they are dttnetl
in the report Of the commanding General, render
any other account OF them unnecessary. 1t would
be UNJUST however, to withhold the expression
of that cordial appreciation, which is felt by
this Department, and, is believed, by the whole
country, of the gallant enterprise and patient en-
durance of the troops and their able commander,
Colonel Worth Overcoming tine feelings which
n conflict with such enemies must produce in the
soldiers of II civilized county, mud consulting Only
the high dictates of duty, they have persevered in
II contest, which, in the only means Of conduct
ing it, more resembles the pursuit of wild animals,
| than II warfare with humnn beings, and in which
the Iriumphs of success ure mingled with pity,
not far removed from contempt.
The last ndvices from that quarter confirm lhe
expectations of speedy and successful result To
; the campaign. All that high intelligence devoted
zeal, consummate bravery, and irrepresslble
ergy, cun contribute to that result will continue
10 be eXered by the troops aud their gallant
maiider for whom the difficulties OF contest,
without resenIb ance in the history OF war, seem
to have errurs.
, The Report recommends an increase of the
: Army by two new regiments, regulation OF the
practice OF officers holding appointments in both
The Staff and the Line, with tie right Of promo
ton III each, and Il corrective OF the present inc
a quality of pay TO officers of the same grade
! The Secretary proceeds 10 consider the defen-
ces of the country under three distinct heads viz {:
Y !. Those on our Western frontier against Indians.
II. u.
1 thine frontier The first nre re.cnpi,ulnted. us lo-
lows:
S Inc following are the forts established, which
v may be considered forming parts of this plan OF
8 defence. Fort Jesup, % miles southwest from
4 Nachltoches, on the roud to Texas; Fort Tow
h son, near lhe confluence of the Kia,uicb nnd
. Red rivers, in the Chocraw nation 325 miles from
- Fort JesuP, and about so miles from the western
l., boundary of Arkansas; Fort Smith, situated on
= the Arkansas river partly in Arkansas and partly
II in the Cherokee NaiioD Fort Gibson, about 90
miles northwest of Fort Smith, on the Arkansas
river and 267 miles from Fort Towson; Fort
e Wayne, on the Illinois river, in the Cherokee Ma
" ,iuE, not far from The western boundary of Arkan-
e sas 60 miles from Fort Gibson; Fort Leaven-
worth, on the right bank Of the Missouri river
266 miles from Fort StHilh Fort Smelling, at the
junction of the 81. Peters with the Mississpp
river. SIP miles from Font LeHyen worth: For
y Crawford, 300 miles below Fort Smelling, on the
~ Mississippi river, about miles from The mouth O
the Wisconsin; Fort Winnehago, at the portage
between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers about &c
i miles from Fort Crawford Fort Howard at the
re head OF Green Bay, lis miles from Fort Whine
J. baso Fort Macklnac, on the island of Michil
he m"ck'nnac, ut the outlet of lake Michigan; For
Brhdy, on the 81 Niarys river, the outlet OF Lake
er superior anu rori Tratio' ON The ST. CLAIR river
n al NE outlet OF Lake huron.
~ barracks are III progress al turkey river IN The
D Nihneohgo country, ana AT fort Smh; ana a
s. fori LeaIehWortii extensive barracks have beer
$, competed.
n, Mr. opener urges thnl TINS cham OF posts ii
s. hot slilclen To Keep IN check Tie grrnt number
10 OF VIVA ana savage lhhlahs on our 2OOu miles
- &C.,, on ono ~, % 400 ,'a; ~ 80 ~
he rom @o,uuU TO oUuOU warrlois lie suggests that
I'll FROM Inc nerconrse winch sui'slsIs between
Oh mem ana Inc Traders, ana emsshrles OF foreigi
al nations, they may he rendered ms formidable as
nd ny description OF force that could be brought n
ey eaihst us 10 cou1eract ana control lhelr dispo
Nv 800. " . =. ~, " y any "
protect our traders, II Is ndispensable that cha
OF posts should he established, extending from TN