Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-25
REPORT OF the SECRETARY or
n AIR.

from the Washington Union:
II exhibits. IN the tirs, Instance. the or.
ganlzaton, strength, aud constitution Of
the regular army. The rank and tile
embracing every arm Of the servlce--does
not exceed G, 500 men. Al this time, there
is stsiloned but a single regiment on the
northern frontier, from Maine to Lake Su
perior---a an extent of two thousand miles /;
and on the whole line from thu Fails Of
ST. Anthony TO New Orleans, fifteen hun.
dred miles, only one regiment Outrageous
and two of infantry. The artillery regi-
meuts--reduced by detachments Of four
companies from each--now garrison the
foriifcatiouAof the seaboard, from New
port to New Orleans. The remaining
and larger proportion OF the army is now
stationed in Texas. The report gives an
interesting account Of the political reasons
which have induced the government to
give them this destination. The Secreta-
ry does not think il prudent 10 remove the
troops from this position until our relations
with Mexico have assumed mora ami.
cable character. 10 the event Of there
being any necessity 10 increase tho army,
he proposes to build upon ,ae basis Of the
regiments, by adding to the rank and do
Of each company, instead Of creating new
regiments. This necessity may be found
in the course Of Mexico, or in the conduct
of the Camanches, or of the Indians tina,
are found in Oregon or that may interrupt
the increasing currsnt of emigration to
the Rocky mountains. By the proposed
arrangement Of filling up the infantry com.
psnies to sixty. eight men, and the drag.
oons to sixty, .he privates are increased,
without corresponding augmentation Of
the officers.
The report suggests that, besides this
increase Of the number Of pr,vales in tho
two existing regiments Of dragons, sneth.
er regiment Of dragons, or mounted rife-
men may be necessary. in the event Of
extending our posts to the Rocky noun.
tains.
1t stated that, though the concentration
OF so large a proportion OF the army On
he frontier Of Texas may have. in some
measure, enlarged the expenditures, (cer-
tainly in the article Of transportation, J
we, it has in some degree, been compen-
stated by the improvement which has Ia.
ken place 10 the discipline Of troops. Ii
renews the recommendation OF establish
ing corps Of sappers, miners, and ponto-
niers, 10 assist among other things, in
constructing bridges, IN consequences Of
the military occupation Of Texas. One
hundred men will be sufficient for the pur-
pose.
The report gives rapid but interesting
account Of Colonel Keafney's expedition,
during the last summer, 10 the South Pass
Of the Rocky mountains; the impression il
produced among the Indians; the number
of emigrants whom il met on their way
10 Oregon, to The number Of 1928 men,
women. and children, with 1000 head
Of cattle, 400 horses and mules, and 400
wagons. This report Of Colonel Kear-
ney accompanies the communication OF
the commanding general, and will furnish,
no doubt. an interesting store Of extracts,
at season Of greater leisure. 1t also re-
fers to the adventures OF another detach.
ment Of the Dragons, under the com.
mand OF Captain Sumner neatly to The
northern line Of the United States, be.
tween Lake Superior and The Lake of the
Woods. Among the Indians whom they
met with on their route, and upon whom
they made due impression with their
military array, was numerous band oil
the haIf-breeds OF the Red river Of the
North, who had come from the region oil
the Hudson Bay Company into our lines,
to hunt buffalo. They had even solicited
permission to reside in the United States.
The Secretary refers to the considers-
tons which had prompted General Gaines
TO despatch the volunteers Of Louisiana
to the camp of General Taylor. Ample
justice is done to their gallaniry, aud Con,
gress is invited to make appropriations for
their compensation. General Taylor had
also accepted the services OF four Texan
companies of mourted men for three
months.
The estimates for the ensuing year do
not greatly vary from those Of former
years. The item for armng the foftifi-
cations is increased 100000. the at
tention of Congress is directed to the state
OF the fot'lica,iOns--to tie a.morIes OF
Springfield and Harper's Ferry--io the
establishment OF national foundry Cor
cannon--to the preservation OF the gun.
powder belonging TO the government--io
the condition of the mineral lands IN the
Northwest, which the Secretary proposes
TO transfer from tho management Of The
ordnance department TO some other, Qhe
Presidents message suggests TO the land
office.)
II calls the attention Of Congress 20 the
forty-e eight forts n process DEMONSTRATION;
and to the ptopreiy of erecting rew forts
at other points. Among these, as sug-
gested by tho reports Of the engineers, are
Notifications OF the narrows a. Staten Is
land and at Sandy Hook, and the condi
ton OF the long suspended fortress at the
Pea Patch; an additional work at Sellers
Point, for the protection o. Baltimore /;
and projected Notifications on the Florida
reefs.
The Secretary speaks with great cen
sideraiion Of the schools at West Point.
and proposes some improvements. He
H. ~ n 4