The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE PRES
DENTS MESSAGE.
RsroRT or THE SECRETARY OF WAR.


REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF WAR
Wan DEPARTMENT.,
WAsnIsGros, Nov. %, lS45.
STA: Pursuant to the duty appertaining 10 the
head of this department, 1 herewith submit TO YOU
the reports Of the Major General commanding the
army, and those from the several bureaus under my
supervision.
They will he found to contain not only full, and
trust satisfactory, account Of the manner in which
the duties of each have been executed during the
past year, but much valuable information relative to
those branches Of the public service TO which they
respectively refer.
The tabular statements accompanying tho Com
mandng Generals report, show, in detail the organ
ization and strength Of the army, well as the po-
sition and distribution Of the troops. Besides the
general and staff officers, and those of distinct corps
there fourteen regiments-two of dragons, four
Of artillery, and eight Of infantry. The number Of
non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates,
authorized by law, is seven thousand five hundred
and ninety but according TO the latest returns re-
ceived at the Adjutant Generals Office, the actual
force available for service does not exceed six thou
sand five hundred. The Differences between the att
thorlsed force and that for service will probably be
at no time proportionably Less.
On our northern borders, along the line Of the
British provinces, from Maine TO Lake SUPERIOR an
extent Of two thousand miles, there is now stationed
but single regiment. From the falls Of St. An
thony, on the upPsr Mississippi, along the western
country fifteen hundred miles, and extending south to
New Orleans onlyone regiment Of dragons, andtwo
ofinfantry are stationed. The artillery regiments re-
duced in strength by having four companies detached
from each, now garrison few Of the Notifications
upon the seaboard from Newport in Rhode Island, to
New Oreans--the exgencies Of the public service
having required the withdrawment Of all the troops
from Massachusetts,, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The residue Of the army-consistng Of one regiment
Of Dragons, sixteen companies Of artillery, and five
regiments of infantry, constituting more than har of
The whole military force Of the United Sates-is now
serving in Texas. This important change in the
position OF our military force was made in the
course OF the last summer.
The ready acceptance on The part Of Texas Of the
terms Of annexation profiered by this government,
excited the i-will OF the government Of Mexico.
That republic nienaced tue immediate commence.
ofhostiliiies against the United States and set
foot, as il was said, extensive preparations to in
wade and subjugate Texas. Pursuant 10 your di-
reciions, an army Of occupation was assembled in
that State, and Brigadier General Taylor assigned
10 the command oft lie was instructed 70 repel
Mexican aggressions, and protect the country from
Indian nvasions; TO regard the Rio del Norte az its
western boundary, and TO select position for his
forces with reference to this frontier; but TO leave
unmolested Mexican settlements and also military
posts, should there be any such posts on the east
bank of that river, which were in the occupancy Of
Mexican forces previously TO the period when
Texas assented to the terms Of annexation. Though
no movement, as yet, has been made on the part Of
Mexico to carry into effect her ofen-repeated mem
aces, or to change the relations of peace between
her and the United States she still continues TO man
ifest hostile feelings, and thgeatens an invasion
of Texas. This attitude, as long az il shall con-
tinue, will require the presence Of military
force in that quarter at least equal that now sta
toned there. II 10 presumed that this eqniyocal
state, which has not the settled character Of peace
or war, will not be much longer continued Should
MexicO M rIU IN he trxr
up to the Rio del Norte, TO the extent just
ly claimed by Texas before annexation, and
the free common use Of the waters of that
river, il is presumed that authority will be
given to enforce il IN both respects In the event Of
resistance, there may I've occasion to employ an adj
diional force; and authority should be given for
raisag il, in that contingency In more desirable
state Of our relations with Mexico, her unsettled
political condition will suggest, as wise precaution,
The guarding Of that frontier by considerable body
of troops Besides this consideration, the annexa-
lion of Texas will bring into proximity to us various
tribes Of Indians, known under the general denom-
ination Of Camanchcs. These Indians, in their
habits and character, unlike those who dwell ON
our borders, or within our territories. They are
fierce and wnrlike--have no fixed abodes-are gen.
orally mounted horseback, and habituated to
plumber. They annually rove over large extent
of country, make fearful incursons into the settle
ments within their range. and, regardless of life,
frequently add murder to rapine. The fear Of chas
iisement is the BEST il not the only reliable security
for their good conduct; and the presence of militia
ry force 80 organized az to act promptly and eff
GENTLY upon them, is the most effesiua means of
inspiring this fear.
The increasing current Of emigration to Oregon
will commend TO the favorable consideration of Con-
sress the recommendation 10 establish a chain Of
military posts up to the base of the Rocky noun
tains Not doubling that legislative sanction will
lie given to that measure, il is proper 10 that
portion of our troops will be required to garrison
these posts.
Before so large a portion Of the army was sent
into Texas, the long line of frontier bordering on
the British provinces was guarded only by few
posts, with small detachments Of troops; many Of
the Notifications on the Atlantic coast and the Gulf
az Mexico were without garrisons; and those which
were manned had, in most instances, force little
more than sufficient 10 guard the public property
and prevent the dilapidati0n of the works The
troops stationed on the western and southwestern
frontiers we're not more than sufficient to afford
protection to the recent settlements in those quar-
ters by imposing salutary restraints upon the var
GUS Indian tribes in the vicinity, and TO maintain
peace among them. The Withdrawing Of the troops
thus distributed, TO constitute the army in Texas,
has created approximations in some quarters, and
general anxiety for the reoccupancy Of the posts in
this manner vacated overwhelmed with At least the
usual garrisons This measure seems to be de-
manded by proper regard 10 security and protec-
tom but il cannot be effected by the small number
government.
The foregoing considerations lead to the conclu-
sion that the exgencies Of the public service will
quire larger military force than the present estab
lishment can supply As its duties are multiplied,
there to be necessity that its capability Of
performing them should be increased in a cor
responding degree.
The present army consists of fourteen regiments
Of ten companies each. The infantry and artillery
companies have now only forty-two privates each,
and those Of the dragoons only fifty. The nnmeri-
cal force Of these companies might be more than
doubled If the exigency of the public service de-
mandcd it, II the suggestion for enlargng our
present military force be adopted, recommend tie
increase of the rank and file, the preferable mode
Of accomplishing that object Were the present
companies Of infantry and artillery filled up 10 six
weight privatcs, they would correspond in their
organization to those Of the peace-esiablishmcnt in
1903 and 1915 BY increasing the privates in the
companies oftlrngoons to sixty, they would con-
form TO the number fixed by the original law autho-
rizng that corps.
Jl-..l lal.-