American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-07
REPORToF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

We feel convinced that our readers would
not thank us for giving them this lengthy docu-
ment in full in cur columns, and therefore we
furnish only synopsis
The regular force of the army, consisting of
eight regiments of infantry four of artillery,
and two of dragons, is under the command of
the major general of the army Its DISPOSE
tion condition, and movements, are detailed
at length in the report.
Fort Kent, in the Madawaska settlements,
he has had occupied.
A military post has been established at Cop
per Harbor, on the extremity of the peninsula
which iuts out far into Lake Superior from the
middle of its southern shore. Besides giving
protection to the Indians and miners, and pre-
serving order in new settlement of such a
mixed population, it forms one point in the new
Gordon, which the general extension of our set
Elements and the enlargement of our territories
by Indian treaties are about rendering necessa-
ry to be established in accordance with the po-
4 Icy which has heretofore been adopted on our
! north western frontier. With a view to that
policy, and to preserve the military posts alrea-
dy established upon our lake frontier, he re-
oommends the appropriation of funds to renew
the buildings of Fort Gratot, commanding the
straits between Lake Huron and Lake ST. Clair,
and of Fort Brady at the Falls of st. Mary,
upon the outlet of Lake Superior, originally
constructed in haste and of slight and perisha-
BILE materials.
The remounting of the second regiment of
dragons will enlarge the very best force for
military service in the praires-an indispensa-
BILE duty now devolvng on the government.
Without destroying the military departments,
as established by general order of the 18th day
of July, 1912, and at the same time preserving
al. 6 Al
neral, commanding in chief, over the forces of
the line, he has reinstated the two geogra phi
cal divisions of the army.
The prevalence of tranquility in Florida has
caused the withdrawal of the troops thence,
and the humane removal of the few remaining
Semnoles is likely to be fastened by the sug-
geston of the Executive TO the General Com
manding in that territory.
In regard to the erection of barracks for sol
dlers in any situations, some suggestions are
made, and Congress recommended TO make APP
preparations therefor, especially OH the sea-
board. There is also a Recommendation in ia
vor of single iron bedstcads for the soldiers,
instead of the double wooden one; and the es-
tablishment of schools and places of religious
worship at all our permanent Notifications.
There are now four companies of horse or
light field artillery, all of which are we'll drill
ed, yet defective in organization. The enlist
ment of few additional men in this branch
of the service is required
The Secretary visited the military academy
at West Point during the examination, and
untes his commentator of this institution to
the many which have been so repeatedly urged
upon it by his predecessors. He argues at
considerable length in its favor, as an institu-
, ton of republican tendency, and urges that a
Joint committee of Congress be appointed to in
spect it, that the authority be restored to ap-
point an annual board of visitors.
The Secretary says he would encourage re-
signations by officers of the army, after twenty
five years SERVICE with pension in the shape
of a section of public land, and two years. fur
Tough on full pay, with the condition, should
he avail himself of this privilege, that his COM
mission be vacated at the termination of his
furlough; and he suggests the proprety of pas
sing law to that effect. He also suggests the
enactment of law, granting to officers of the
line the same pay, emoluments and allowances
now given to officers of the same grade of the
staff corps in which those officers of the line
may be detailed for service.
The pIopriety of fully completing the forti-
| fications of the country is strongly urged
v Whilst Fort McHenry,-a work of inferior
foIce,-is available to resist particular kind
of hostile attack upon Baltimore, it forms the
only defence by fertilization to that important
n city. The true defence and safety OF Baltimore
will, it is believed, be found in the erection of
permanent works on Sellers Point Flats, about
ten miles below the city. Let the proposed
fort upon those flats be completed, and the in
habitants of that city will no longer have occa-
sion apprehend second battle at North Point.
The resumption of the work upon Fort Del
aware, at the Pea Patch, is anxiously desired
by all those interested in the commerce and the
country of the Delaware, in the defence of Phil
adelphia, Wilmington and Newcastle, of the
Delaware and Chesapeake Canal, and of the
Baltimore and Philadelphia Railroad. The
sum of $4,000, re-approprated at the last ses-
sion Of Congress, if it can be render d avala-
ble would be sufficient for this impa vtant OBJ
ject for the ensuing year; and it rests 18th Con-
gress to say whether thee overnment vail con-
=. tinue satisfied with the presumption of tile in
its favor, and will remove the restriction upon
the expenditure of the Appropriation.
The recommendation is renewed to purchase
site for Fort on Staten Island, NY, imme-
diately opposite Fort Hamilton, and to either
sell or exchange Fort Gansevoort, rendered
useless by the growth of New York city. The
renewal of the works at the Rip Raps is recon-
mended; and it is thought that something ought
to be done in the way of fertilization south of
Cape Hatteras, at some point on the southern
shore of Georgia; also on the Florida Reef In
formation received from an off Ger sent to pro-
cure it, leads to the opinion that the first work
should be constructed either at the harbor of
Kew West or The Tortugas Rock