Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-18
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
REX RI UF-THE SECRETARY OF Wal

i
the Army, and o, ill., Heads ofthe different Bureaus at
'acnea 10 inns Deporsent upon the several subjects
committed to its charge, re herewith submitted.
Tue acouacy OF 'ie nio.iation, and the fulness of
the views mus exhibited, WILL render su,er0noua INV
extended observations from mt recen,Iv c,IIsd =,
the consideration OF the various m,ters "a weII
scented by officers OF great experen., and ocL rnw
lodged ability. Such remarks, howeye, M soan, ~
CURED, will be made IN the course of III. foa,,;n,
statement of the general results derived from es. r.
ports:
From the general return of the Army, contained in
the report of the Major General, commandngin che,
il appears that the whole number OF troops now in
vice ten Thousand six hundred and nlnetyiour: con
sisting of seven hundred and twenty eight commits
stoned officers, and nine thousand nine undred ant
sixty -s commissioned officers, musicians, and pr
Sasrs. The aggregate exceeds the number specified n
the report Gf 1910, by hundred and twcniy-fonr
Or the whole number nine thousand eight hundred ano
e;ghty-two reported present, and the residue
eight hundred and twelve are absent or sick; OF whom
four hundred and fory-seven absent on detached
service. To complete the organization of Inc Army
eighteen hundred and thirty eight recruits required
During the past year the whole number recruited
was four thousand nine hundred and twenty-five.
1t is gratifying 10 find that the number of deserters
within the year, compared with the number enlisted
has largely diminished.
The disposition of the troops intended for the protec.
ton of inland frontiers, and for garrsoning the forts
oil The Atlantic, is given i'll the report.
turns Of about three thousand five hundred men, but
which is now or will be, reduced 10 three thou
sand is employed in The protection Of the Inhabitants Of
Florida and in the offensive operations carried Oh in
that Territory
Ga the Western frontier, the Indians have been kept
from wars among themselves, and from hostile acts
against citizens. With the exception of some depre-
daons alleged 10 have been committed IN Texas by The
Caddocs tribe for whose conduct That country more
responsible than urc the native tribes appear TO be
quiet and indicate no disposition to commence agrees
sons the Northern frontier, the presence OF the
troops has been and doubtless will continue to be, Of
eminent service in preserving the peaceful relations OF
the country with The adjacent territories Of Great Bri
tain. Al the Northeast Tie small force stationed near
the disputed boundary line required Tor the same
purpose.
Within the year 4 aspect has been given to the
military operations in Florida. The mnuteness and
accuracy with which they detailed in the report OF
the Commanding General, render any other account OF
them unnecessary. 1t would be unjust, however, 10
withhold the expression Of that cordial approhailon
which is felt By this Department, and it is believed, Is
the whole country, Of the gallant enterprise and patient
endurance of the troops ard their able Commander
Colonel Worth. Overcoming the feelings winch Il
contest with such enemies must produce IN the soldiers
of n civilized country aud consulting only the hIgh
dictates of duty, they have perscvcred IN contest
which in the only means OF conducting il, more resem
bes the pursuit of animals, than warfare with human
heings and in which the trnmpbs OF success are mn
gled with pity, hot far removed from contempt for an
ng!orious foe.
The last adviccs from that quarter confirm the cxpcc
tstions of speedy and successful result 10 the cam
paan All that high intelligence, devoted ZEAL con-
sumate bravery and irrepressite energy, can con'r
bn,e 10 ,at result, will continue 10 be exered by ne
troops and their gallant commander, for whom! The d'ih
cutes Of contest, without resemblance III the history
of war, seems 10 have no terrors.
The suggestions, in Tie report, of the Conna nd
ing General Fe9pcciin. officers holding appointments
a; the same time both the line and III the stall, with
tho rirh of promotion in each and respecting the me-
GUILTY. of pay between officers OF the same grade IN the
different branches Of service, are worthy OF great con-
sderaoa en,ana,inr they do from long experience,
The result, Of iniegen, and dsintercstcd observation
And the recommendation Of Tie present General IN
Chef concurring with those Of his lamcned and DIS.
linruishcd predecessor in relation 10 pensions, VIII
doubtless attract the attention OF Congress 10 that SUD-
icct
Tie very moderate increase of two regiments TO our
Army recommended in the same report, will unlues-
tonaby be received with all the confidence due TO any
suggestions from such source. The necessity ior such
an increase 10 man the forts, posts, and tortilcations
an cur inland and maritime frontiers, will be apparent
on consideration Of the plans for the national deience
which have been proposed, and wholly or Phfuhhy
adopted a brief and connected view OF those plans
appropriate and necessary Tor that purpose, ana
10 f understanding Of those parts OF The reports
herewith communicated relating to the subject IT IS
necessary Also in explanation Of the estimates submit
ted for appropriations to continue and complete Tue
means Of protection and defence In presenting such
view the occasion will be taken To make such oDsel
vatons as may seem to be required.
The delcrces Of the country may he regarded under
three distnc, heads FIRST for the protection Of the
Western frontier against Indian hostllitles. Second
nrecauons against aggrcssions from the colonli pos
sessions Of foreign powers IN our viciniiy' ~ lne
North And third the defence OF our maritime i'o'-
tier A.
Under the first head, the plan communicated 10 ,ie
Senate on the 81 day Of January, lo3o, IN pursuance
or resolution Of THAT body, and recommended ny the
then head Of this Department, was approved IN It's &C.
neral outl:nesb b. the board OF oiceTs-who fepo'ea
The subject in May lSi0 and appears 10 oe wen auipe
- ,o nurnose tcuncnpaLed line OF exterior posts
ncoJ INTO the Indian country, beyond the boundary
or existing cessons, for the purpose OF oVeFawnS anu
o,ossinJ boses among The Indians, or against our
on settlements; and interior line oil posts PAGES
If refuge in cases Of danger or alarm, WIN uePo'S o
arms and supplies There seems TO Eaye oeen some u'i
rnuca of onin:on whether forts TO he established ~
,iosn should he constructed fwood, ubundany
furnished BY the country, Of soae or oiier eiaay
;ndesruc,iI,!e material. From the information which
h,a been received and from the uniform praeuce VI
Indian wars the better opinion would appear 10 oe @
snckadcd forts with log block houses, would a''ia
sufficient protection against enemy unpFoSldca WI"
ar,iIerr The rapidiiy and economy with which they
c,ld l.. ereced in many cisss chiefly by The iaoot 81
tie ,roops would rive them decided preference II -
no, perceived why tie interior line ." posts or as many
Of them may BE- necessary sonld no, also Ne e. ~
dcpots Of subsistence and military s"ppies, 1'A ~
erht of the exterior line, and eight interior forts are
deemed sufficient The following are the forts es'a
hl;abed which may be considered forming parts oil ts
Man obedience Fort Jesup - miles Southwest from
Sachtoches on the road to Texas; Fort Towson near
the confluence oil the Kiamich and Red rivers N llr
Chocnw nation 32 miles from Fort JesnP, and ABOUT
81 miles from the Western boundary Of Arkansas fot'
smith on The Ahansas F Yaa paFi Fgr IN c a
,bout 60 miles Northwest OF Fort Smith, on the arKah
sas river, aud POI miles from Fort TowsoM Fort Wayne,
ON ON the Illinois river the Cherokee Nation not IA,
from the Western boundary of Arkansas 10 mes from
Fort Gibson Fort cavenwoTth, on the right pahE o.
the Missouri river, $50 miles from For: Smith Fort or.
Smelling the junction Of the s. ro f'ss Stn the
r, c,a,rord 400 miles below Fort Smelling, on the
Mississippi river nbout miles from the mouth Of lae
Wisconsin; Fort Wnnebago at the postage between s.
,be Fox and Wisconsin rivers, about $50 mules from
Fart Crawford Fort Howard, ut the head OF GEeen
Raw III miles from Fort Winnebago; Fort MacSInac,