The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-01-05
Report of the Secretary of
War.

nCpUlI VI JIG DSCISGdIy vi
War.
This Document has not yet been prin-
ted. A brief synopsis, made from the
original Report, has been furnished u.s.
The Secretary gives a full history Of the
commencement and progress of our Mex
lean war operations; the battles Of Palo
Alto, Resaca dc la Palma and Monterey
are narrated; then we have the termina-
ton of the armistice; the conquest Of
Santa Fe and the Crlifornias, and accounts
OF the various movements of the armies.
Satisfactory, though not official infor-
nation has been received of the taking Of
Monclova, but not Chihuahua. Gen.
Kearney's detachment was expected 10
reach the Pacific about November last
The operations of Colonel Fremont and
Commodore Stockton west of the Rocky
Mountains, are referred to with m
dation. Authentic information but no of
fetal report has been received of :heir
operations.
The military force of the United States
has been augmented from 7640 men to
10000 men. The duties of the War
Department have been arduous and en-
barrassing. The Department of Tamau-
lipas, and the right bank Of the Rio
Grande for several hundred miles from its
mouth, New Leon, Coahulla and Chi
huahua have all in effect been wrcsted
from the enemy; and the Mexican au-
thority, civil and military, displaced in
New Mexico and the Caliiornias-all in
the short space Of seven months.
The regular army, under the law of
last session, when filed up, would amount
TO 1898, officers end men, but does not
now exceed 10000. Our success in the
field is attributable probably TO the large
number of volunteers called out since the
passage of the bill increasing the army.
1t is impossible to tell the number of
troops which the exigencies Of the war
may require. The volunteers called out
who have encountered the enemv, have
more than justified the expectations form
ed Of this description of troops; but it is
no disparagement to them to say that reg
ular forces would be preferred in a war to
be prosecuted in a foreign country. Con-
siderations of economy are also decided
ly in favor of troops engaged TO serve du-
ring the war. The Secretary is most So
fictitious that this subject should receive
the attention of Congress, and that a body
of troops should be raised to take the
place of those volunteers who will claim
a discharge at the end of their term Of
service.
The plan suggested by General Ma
comb in his report in 1896, is recommen-
ded o in reference to regimental field
officers. Provision should be made for
offences committed by our troops, and by
persons connected with the army. An
increase Of the regular army is recon-
mended. The estimated appropriations
for Notifications for next year amount to
$4,000. The report then goes on 10
speak Of our national deiencee; of sap
pers, miners and Typographical engineers
and their present organization; of the ord
nance bureau being inadequate; defcien-
cy in the medical staff of the army; his
tory of operations in mineral lands the
past year; number of pension agencies,
Al, exclusive of Navy pensions, and num-
Der of pensioners about 10000.
Sub-Treasury act contemplates the en-
ployment OF officers therein named as
pension agents, and renders it doubtful
whether those hitherto employed are not
suspended. TIe recommends that au-
thority be given to continne the present
agents at a reasonable compensation
Three thousand four hundred and thirty
four Indians have been removed West of
the Mississippi river since last annual re-
port. New treaties with Indians are re-
ferrcd to, and the soIicitude of Govern
ment to promote the welfare of the Indian
tribes is leelingly expressed.