Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-06-24
Documents
ACCOMPANYING THE Presidents MESSAGE
FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Nav 81. 1871.

The present time, only such matters conlided
to the superintendent of the Department o.
war as, from their nature or pressing emcr-
gency, or from the general interest they cx-
cite. you may Geem proper TO communicate
for the information OF Congress and the Pub.
lie.
Although the inspections directed since the
adjournment of Congress have been made
with the greatest promptness, and furnish an
extensive body of information in regard TO the
state of the public defences, as well as to the
discipline and efficiency of the army, and
bear full and satisfactory testimony to the
Importance Of the Inspectors Department,
yet. from the limited time allowed, and the
immense extent of territory over which the
numerous establishments connected with the
military service are distributed, the inspec-
tons are necessarily incomplete; and it is
therefore not designed to notice all the con-
sidera,ions suggested by the information
| they afford until future occasion.
| In the general condition and disposition Of
the Army, there has been no material change
since the last annual report from this Depart
ment. The regular force stationed in Florida,
consisting of eight regiments, and number
ing, in the aggregate, by the last returns,
five thousand and lifty-seven, il has been
found eXpedient 10 continue in service in that
Territory.
1 ~ 'cW ny StIldil ueldCnIncntS OF
| our troops into the Businesses Of the enemy,
by which their atrocities have been signaliy
visited upon their own heads, have been the
only exceptions to the general cessation of
hosuiities which took place last fall, soon af-
ter the regiments, reinforced by new recruits,
| and provided with every necessary supply,
were prepared for active operations nor
have they been renewed since that time. Of
ters 10 negotiate from several chiefs, the de-
vice by which those crafty warriors have so
often bafiied our arms at the period most pro-
pluous to success, were renewed under such
circumstances as induced the commanding
general once more to embrace them. The
strongest confidence appears to have been felt
that, with the aid of suitable amount of
funds, applicable to that object, the whole of
the hostile bands might soon be persuaded to
surrender and abandon the country. This
| line OF policy, though tardy in its results,
continued to hold out such hopes of complete
success as to encourage the late Administers
ton in the belief that this protracted war had
at last been brought so near close as to be no
longer subject of particular interest or anxi-
ETY.. For these reasons it was not thought
expedient to check or interrupt the negolia-
tons in progress on the q th of March last
directing different mode of operations
The result so far, since the negotiations were
renewed In the Fall, has been the surrender
OF four hundred and thirty one Indians. in
Guiding about one hundred warriors, all of
whom have been transported to the country
F assigned them West of the Mississipp.-
Some expectation is still INDUCED by the Off
Ger IN command, that the remaining bands
which have so long infested the Upper and
Northern districts OF the Peninsula will sur
render in short time; bur regret to
state that but little hope can he Justly cher
cd ,ot N Il
which has already cost great n number of
valuable lives, and so many millions of pub
lie treasure, will be terminated without still
further sacrifices. 1t appears that, after six
months OF negotiation, 10 access has been
had TO the principal and most powerful chief,
or to any of his followers. Directions have
accordingly been given for the most energetic
and effective prosecution o! the war the mo-
ment further negotiations shall appear TO be
useless. Steps have also been tIken to in
crease the efficiency of the means now at the
: disposal of the officer in command and, in
the mean time, The retrenchment Of every ex-
penditure connected with the service, for pur-
poses not essential in Indian warfare, has
been earnestly enjoined.
The many weighty considerations which
invite tho immediate attention of Congress to
the subject Of the public defences generally.
and particularly to the works absolutely ne
cessary TO the security of our great CONNER
cial emporiums. and the keys 10 our most
valuable resources Of every kind, must be so
generally understood and appreciated, that
nothing this Department can urge could add
any thing to their force and conclusiveness
TO say nothing OF the destruction Of proper
ty, and our weakened condition in a military
point of view, attendant upon the carrying Of
any of our most assailable points, the pcne
trat Cf md lao cpiy, cf ny
one of our stronghods by powerful enemy
upon the sudden outbreak of war, it woulC
seem to be equally the dictate Of patriotism
r and wisdom to make due provision against the
: infection of such insults 10 the national hon
r or and character.
r 1t has been urged as an objection to the fur
e Their progress Of the works heretofore project
!; ed for the defence Of our extensive sea coast
: that the recent experiments in the use o
j steam power in ocean navigation, and tht
j ready application of the same powerful agen
to the defence Of our principal harbors, to
c gethcr with the late Inventions in the mean:
4 of increasing the dcstructiveness of shells
must soon introduce an entire change in tn,
: system Of coast defence, as well as Of mara
n time war in general. II is true that the men
: tai activity, characteristic of the age in ever,
V other art and science, has not been less fruit
n IuI III suggesting improvements III tiie drI o
war, the value of some Of which has aIread,
e been tested in practice, and doubtless other
: WILL in time, prove equally successful. il
no department of public affairs may the nat
: ural connexon and dependence between al
: the sciences and inventions of AT he NOR
Is benefially illustrated than in the improve
- ment Of the means of national defence. Ths
the cause Of humanity will be promoted il
proportion as the existing systems and mean
Of defensive warfare are perfected by ney