The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-04

u Is only 10 the view of probability that force
larger Than permanent pcace-eslab-
lnent might be soon required, that should prefer
the mode Of increasing the army by raising new
regiments, organized on our present reduced
scale. This scale is undoubtedly too low for actual
service, and has nothing TO recommend il to pref
erence under any circumstances, but the facility II
affords Of expanding an army so organized, by in
creasng the rank and file, and Of rendering il efec-
tive for service in shorter period than new re-
giments could be raised, organized, and disciplined.
IL may he proper to observe, that though the con-
centraton Of so large portion of an army in
Texas has, To some extent, augmented the expend-
iture under some heads, particularly that Of trans
portatlon, yet the measure has not been without
some compromising advantages. The distribution
OF the troops, was the before the late move
men', in small detachments and skeleton COM
panies, along our wdely-extended lines of frontier
prevented the acquisition Of much practical knowl-
edge, essential TO high state OF discipline and
efficiency. By this opportunity, regiments and bat
talions long separated have been brought together
within the same chain of seniines, and instructed
in all the practical duties of camp and field
service.
The propriety Of organizing corps, moderate
in point of numbers, OF miners, snppers, and pom
TONER'S has heretofore teen often presented to the
consideration Of Congress-. The reasons for such
corps are becoming more evident and urgent, in
consequence Of the military occupation Of Texas.
Bcticrut tucfC ndB TrVucstru ~ NC
be furnished with aponton train, deemng i very
essential to the movement of the army in that
country. In many parts Of il, the materials for
constructing bridges are not to be obtained. Whea
that is the case, the movements Of an army would
be impedcd arrested by the considerable streams
trayersing its line of operations unless II was sup
piled with the necessary equipage for crossing
them, and attended by corps instructed IN the
use of this equipage. The name by which this
corps is usually designated--that of sappers and
mners--is apt 10 mslead the Judgment as to the
nature Of its duties, and consequently as TO its use
fulness and adaptation to our service The services
required of il in attacks upon forfeited places
atitute but small portion Of its appropriate duties.
This subject is fully and ably discussed in the
port Of the chief engineer, herewith submitted.
The recommendation in It's favor is sustained by
strong arguments and the highest military author
y, and trust will procure for it the favorable
ton OF Congress. This corps need not be nnn,er-
GUS lone hundred enlisted men being deemed suf-
fcieni and, il placed under the command of the
present engineer officers, il would not he expcn-
sive
Pursuant to instructions from this department,
Colonel Kearney with five companies of the first
regiment Of Dragons, leh Fort Lcayenworfh in
try. In the Of il, he visited the South Pass
Of the Rocky mountains, and the head waters Of
some Of the tributary streams Of the Colorado of
the West, which emptes into the Gulf Of CAL
fornia.
The presence Of so fine a body Of troops among
the numerous bands Of Indians scattered through
that extensive region, cannot have failed to make
salutary impressions upon them. In the various
"talksn with them, they distinctly told shat
the road made by the Dragons must not be closed
by the Indians, and that the white people trav-
cling on il must not be disturbed in their persona
or property" They were gratified by some small
presents distributed among them, and assured
Of the friendship Of the United States, so long
as they conducted themselves in peaceabIe and
proper manner towards the white men aud each
other While ontbe "0regon trail, the dragons fell
in with several parties Of emigranis The whole
number passing this season into that territory, by
that route, was ascertained TO be $50 men, ATS
men, and 900 children-taking with them 900
head of cattle, 400 horses and mules, and AGO wag-
ons. The Dragons were ninety-nine days on this
excursion, and marched distance Of 2200 miles,
The particulars of this expedition win be found in
accompanies the communication Of the commanding
general Of the army, herewith submitted.
Another part Of this regiment Of Dragons, under
the command Of Captain Sumner, visited, about the
same time, the extreme north, and extended their
excursion nearly to the line of the United States be-
tween Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods.
There Is reason to believe that the results Of this
pedition will prove to be equally auspicions in ita
influence upon the peaceful relations with the more
restless natives Of this remote region.
This exhibition of military force among them is
well calculated to impress upon them the belief that
we have the power at hand to punish them FOR their
misdeeds.
A somewhat numerous band, known as "the
half-breeds Of the Red river of the North !" residing
within tile limits of the Hudson Bay country have
for years been in the practice Of making excursions
into our territories, to hunt the bualo and not only
interfere and sometimes come in conflict, with the
Indians residing within the jurisdiction Of the United
States htt n af huf3nlnea--l
some years as many as thirty thousand. The gov
eminent has been, by it's agents warned Of the dan
gerous consequences which are likely to result from
the annual visitatons Of these half-breeds, and
called on, by the complaints Of our own In
dians, to take measures 10 nut a stop to them.
Captain Sumner had an interview with them,
and forbade, in decisive manner, their hunting up
on the territories ofthe United States. This admoni
ton seems to have made serious impression upon
them for they have since made strong appeal to our
government for permission to continue a practice
which, they say, they have followed from their
childhood. and declare 10 be necessary to the sub
sstence Of their families. They even intimate q
if allowed to do 40, to remove from
the British territories and settle side Of the
line in order to to themselves the privilege of
hunting within our borders.
The effects which this military expedition has
had upon this large and adventurous hand Of In
dams, afford satisfactory evidence that the employ
ment Of our troops on these excursions has been
attended with salutary influence upon our Indian
relations.
The reports which herewith submit from the
quartermasier general, the commissary general Of
the paymaster general and the surgeon
general, will apprse You Of the condition Of these
several departments, and Of the manner in which
the duties appertaining to each have been fulfilled
during the past year. The sudden assembling Of
more than one-half Of the entire army in Texas
drawn, az the troops composing it necessarily were,
from nearly all sections Of the United States, with
out sufficient notice for preparation and at season
not the most favorable for such movement--,,na-
voidably occasioncd large expenditure for trans
portation. The appropriation for this purpose was
not made with any reference TO this extraordinary
movement, and the amount which was provided for
the year-and under ordinary circumstances,
would have been sufficent--was nearly exhausted
during the first quarter. II will therefore become
necessary to ask for additional appropriation, TO
supply the deficiency. Until further returns Of the
expenditure under this head are received an accu-
rate estimate of what will be required beyond the
amount already provided cannot be made. When
these returns in, sach estimate will be pre-
and sinh ed IN ID