New-York tribune., 1841-12-13
THE TRIBU N E..
Report of the Secretary of War,

COMPRISING II within our limits, we shall retain
its language and arrangement far as possible.
The numerical force of the U. S. Army is as
follows:
Commissioned officers. -72S
Monde. musicians, artifcers and privates - 9966
Total -l0,694
Increase from the Report of 184O.----- ---- l24
Reported as present, ar on duty .-------- 1882
Absent or sick ..---...... BIZ
Absent on detached service. AL
Needed to complete the Amy. ..----.---- 1888
Recruited during the past year ----..----. 1922
Deser,ian in proportion to the number of re-
cruits, has largely diminished compared with
the last year.
OF the Army, $500 men are now employed III
Florida, but the number is soon to be reduced to
5000
Of the operations of the Army, the Report
says:
On the western frontier, the Indians have been
kept from among themselves, and from hos
tile scrs against eitizens With the exception
of some depredations alleged to have been COM
m,ted in Texas by the Caddoes a tribe, for whose
conduct that country is more responsible Than
are, the native tribes appear to be quiet, and ind
cate disposition to commence aggressons On
the northern frontier, the presence of tbs troops
kas been, and doubtless will continue to be, of
eminent service in preserving the peaceful ea-
lions of the country with the adjacent territories
of Great Britain. At the northeast, the small
force stationed the disputed boundary line,
seems required for the purpose.
Within tine year a. new aspect mas been given TO
military operations in Florida. The mnuieness
and accuracy with which they are detailed 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 De-
partment and ii is believed by the whole country,
cf the gallant enterprise and patient endurance OF
the troops and their able commander, Colonel
Worth Overcoming the feelings which conflict
with such enemies must produce in the soldiers OF
ac,ilized coxntry, and consulting only the high
dictates Of duty they have pcrsevered in contest,
which, in the only means of conducting 1t, more
resembles the pursuit of wild mails than war
fare with human beings, and in which the tIiumphs
of SUCCESS are ming led with pity, not tar removed
from contempt
The last advices from that quarter confirm tho
exuectatiors of speedy and successful result to
the campaign. All that high Intelligence, devoted
zeal, consumma,e bravery, and irrePressible enef-
gv can contribute to that result, will continue 10
be exerted BY the troops and their gallant COM
mandcr. for whom the difficulties OF a contest,
without resemblance in the history OF war, seem
to have teTrors.
The Report recommends increase of the
Army by two new regiments, regulation OF the
practice of officers holding appointments in both
the Staff and the Line with the right of promotion
in each, and corrective of the present inequality
The Secretary proceeds TO consider the de-
fences of the country under three dsiinct heads
viz: l. Those on our Western frontier, against
Indians. .. Those on our Northern. 3. Those
on our maritime frontier The first are rc-captu
lated Us follows:
The following are the forts established which
NAV be considered forming parts OF this plan OF
defence For; Jesup rs miles southwest from Ma
chltoches, on the road to Texas; Fort Iowson,
near the confluence OF the klamichi ana he'd rivers,
in the Choctaw nation 325 miles from ort Jesup,
and about SO miles Fl ON the western boundary OF
Arkansas: Fort Smith situated on the Arkansas
river partly in Arkansas and partly in the Chero-
kee Nation Fort Gibson about 60 miles north
west of Fort Smith, on the Arkansas river and 2o7
miles from Fort Towson; Fort WAYNE, on the ll-
nois river, in the Cherokee Nation, not far from
the western boundary of Arkansas, Gu miles from
Fort Gibson; Forte Leavcnw"rth, on the night
bank of the Missouri river 2S6 miles from roit
Smith: Fort Smelling, nj the junction OF the St.
Peters with the Mississippi river, 5l2 miles from
Forth Leavenworth; Fort Crawford, 800 miles
belo, Fort Smelling on the Mississippi river, about
s miles from the mosth of the Wisconsin; ort
Winnebago at the portage between the Eek and
Wisconsin rivers, about 100 miles from orr Craw-
ford Fort Howard. at the head OF Green bay, ITO
miles from Fort Winnebago; Fort Macklhac, on
the island of Michiimscknac at the outlet OF lake
Michigan; Fort Brady. on the ST.. Mary river,
the outlet of Lake Superior; and Fort Grauo on
the ST. Clair river, at the outlet Of Lake Huron.
Barracks are in progress al Turkey river IN the
Winncbago country, and at Fort Smith; and at
Fort leavcnworth extensive barracks have been
completed
Mr.. Spencer urges tina; this chain Of posts is not
sufficient to keep in check the great number OF
wild and savage Indians our 1000 miles OF
Western frontier, who able 10 bring to the field
from 20 600 10 so 600 warriors. He suggests that,
From the intercourse which subsists between
them and the traders, and emissaries of foreign
nations. they may be rendered as formidable as any
description OF force that could Dc brough against
ma. To secure q proper influence them in
Deace and 10 councract and coDtrel their DISPOSE
tons in war; TO secure own territory and &c
protect eur ,raders, II is indispensable that chain
81 posts should be established, extending from the
Csuncil Bluffs TO the mouth OF the Columbia river
40 as 10 command the avenues BY which the Indian:
pass from the nortk ts the south; and at the same
time maintain communication with the territories
belonging 10 US on the Pacific
he presen, state OF our relations with these In
dians and other considerations which will readil.
sr,oos, ,k.,,..,,.s .asm m dernnn prompt atten