The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-04
Letter from. The. Secretary Of Var to The Hon.
Thomas II. BENTON, chairman Of the Mil
tGry Committee Of tie Senate
WAR DEPARTMENT,
December %. 1S15

AZ
December 20, 1916
II herewith return to you the resolution
which you sent TO on the 23d instant. The
recommendations in my report to the President
OF the 29ih ut., have reference to permanent
peace establishment. Under any circumstances
am convinced that our sea coast and northern
frontier should have larger force stationed on
them than they now have, or the department cao
now place there by any proper disposition it can
make of the regular army at this time. The
number of troops now in Texas cannot, under
present circumstances, be lessened. There ought
not TO be less--indeed think there should be
mOre-tl6ops on the Indian frontier Should the
suggest n in the report to increase the rank and
file Of companies TO sixty eight or eighty. four
prvaes be approved by Congress and carried
out. there would he disposable regular force for
Tho iorts and Notifications on the seaboard and
northern and western frontiers; but this force
would not furnish adequate garrisons in case Of
an apprehended attack. Besides, it would require
some months to raise the men, incorporate them
in the old regiments, and get them in position
Should this suggestion meet with favor, I still
think that authority should be given to the
President TO accept The services Of volunteer com
panies, squadrons, battalions regiments, and State
troops, Tor term not exceeding one year. Our
situation may be such that, for the mere purpose
of defence, these volunteer troops or militia. 10
the number Of fifty thousand, may be needed
Under the direction of the Executive, the number
actually received would be regulated by circum
stances.
The present Qualifications of the seaboard. as
well as temporary deIences which must he resort
ed TO in case Of threatened bosilities must be
garrisoned and the number have mentioned
| in addition TO our regular force; unless il was
greatly increased, would certainly not be more
| than sufficient to put the country in reasonable
state Of security w case Of a war with Great
! Britain. On the northern frontier, where there
are now stationed only about four hundred and
eighty men, provision should be made for placing
on the shortest notice, force equal to thai in
CgOada, which could be brought to assail that
frontier If hosiliies from that quarter should be-
reasonably apprehended There are at this time
abuut seven thousand regular British troops in
| hat province. ] should prefer, in case il was
necessary to call 10 the aid Of the militia for the
defence Of the country, to obtain the troops re-
quired by the acceptance Of volunteer rather than
| by the present mode Of making a reauisition on
/ the Executives Of the States, and leaving il 70
them to raise the number required by draupbts
&c, though it is probable that in most instances
The number required by the latter mode would bo
volunteers. Volunteers would be likely 10 do
more effective service when first called out Than
draUghted militia men. I would respectfnlIv 70
fer you TO the acts Of Congress on this subject.