The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-04
THE u MO N.
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, lslS.
REPORT Of THE SECRETARY OF WAR.


REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
4 This whole report which we now lay before the
readers of the "Union," is full and satisfactory
view Of the condition Of the army, and of the other
! subjects which are under the supervision Of the
War Department. II is worthy of the clear, prac-
teal and able head which presides over the depart
ment. MIR. Marcy is working man, who frankly
and clearly speaks out his sentiments, and dis
charges his whole duty becomes the presiding
genius Of important an arm Of the public service.
We content ourselves with very brief sketch Of
the contents of the paper-beng, ITSELF one of the
most condensed yet lucid papers which have been
submitted TO Congress
| II exhibits, in the first instance, the organization,
strength, and constitution Of the regular army. The
rank and file-embracng every arm of the service
does not exceed 500 men. At this time, there is
stationed but single regiment on the whole north
ern frontier, from Maine TO Lake Superior--an ex-
tent Of two thousand miles and on the whole line
from the Falls of ST. Anthony 10 New Orleans,
(6fteen hundred mes,) only one regiment of dra-
goons and two of infantry. The artillery regi-
ments-- reduced by de,achments of four companies
/
| seaboard from Newport to New Orleans. The re-
naming and larger proportion of the army is
now stationed in Texas. The report gives in
teresng account of the political reasons which have
induced the government TO give them this destina-
ton. The Secretary does not think it prudent to
remove the troops from this position until our re-
lations with Mexico have assumed more decidedly
amicable character. In the event of there being any
necessity to increase the army he proposes TO build
upon the iasis of the regiments, by adding to the
rank and file of each company, instead Of creating
new regiments. This necessity may be found in
the course Of Mexico, in the conduct Of the Gu
manches, or of the Indians that are found in Ore
gon or that may interrupt the increasing current OF
emigration to the Rocky mountains BY the pro-
posed arrangement Of filling up the infantry compa.
MES to sixty-eight men, and the Dragons to sixty,
the privates increased, without corresponding
augmentation of the officers.
il The report suggests that, besides this increase Of
the number Of prvates in the two existing regi-
mentS Of Dragons, another regiment of dragons or
of mounted riaemen may be necessary, in the
event of extending our posts to the Rocky noun
tains.
proportion of the army on the frontier Of Texas
! may have, in some measure, enlarged the cxpendi-
lures Certainly in the article of yet
has, in some degree, been compensated by the i'm.
provement which has taken place in the discipline
of the troops. II renews the recommendation for
establishing corps Of sappers miners, and ponto-
niers to assist among other things, in constructing
bridges, in consequence of the military occupation
of Texas One hundred men will be sufficient for
the purpose
The report gives rapid but interesting account
of Colonel Kearneys expedition, during the last
summer, to the South Pass Of the Rocky mountains;
the impressions it produced among the Indians the
number Of emigrans whom il met on their way to
Oregon, to the number of 2,325 men, women, and
children, with 1000 head of CATTLE 400 horses and
mules, and AGO wagons. This report Of Colonel
kearney accompanies the communication Of the
commanding general, and will furnish no doubt, an
interesting store Of extracts at season Of greater
leisure. 1t also refers to the adventures of another
detachment of the dragons, under the command Of
Captain Snmner nearly, to the northern line of
the United States, between 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 Of the halfbreeds of the Red
river ofthe North, who had come from the region OF
the Hudson Bay Company into our lines, to hunt
buffalo. They had even solicited permission to re-
side in the United States.
The Secretary refers to the considerations which
had prompted General Gaines to despatch the
volunteers Of Louisiana to the camp Of Cen
eral Taylor Ample justice is done to their gal.
lantry, and Congress is invited to make appropria-
ton for their compensation. General Taylor had
also accepted the services of four Texan companies
Of mounted men for three months.
n The estimates for the ensuing year do not greatly
vary from those of former years. The item for
arming the Notifications is increased 100000 The
attention Of Congress is directed to the state Of the
fortifcations--to the armories Of Springfield and
IIarper's Ferry-to the establishment of national
foundry for cannonto the preservation Of the gun
powder belonging to the government--to the con-
dtion Of the mineral lands in the Northwest, which
the Secretary proposes to transfer from the manage
ment OF the ordnance department to other, (the
Presidents message suggests to the land ofice.)
/, calls the attention of Congress TO the forty-
eight forts in process of construction, and to the
propriety Of erecting new forts at other points,
Among these, as suggested by the reports Of the
| engineers, are Notifications of the narrows at
Staten Island 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 Of Baltimore; and projected Notifications
on the Florida reefs.
|
The Secretary speaks with great consideration Of
the school at West Point, and proposes some i'm
provemen,s. fle calls special attention TO the re-
port of the chief of the corps Of Typographical en-
gineers--to the improvement OF the harbors on the
lakes which are so well calculated to furnish ac-
commodations TO steamers that, in a state of war,
may be turned to the most effective purposes, and
TO furnish facilities to commerce that is now esti-