The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-01-26
NUMBER II.
From tie Baltimore American.


HhroNr OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
ms document commences " iib a brief
account OF the operations Of our rroops in
MeS'co after the taking Of the Capital, and
then adds:
Our military peace establishment, is now
nearly the same 10 numerical strength as /,
was al the commencement of the war with
Mexico. Filled up to the utmost limit al.
lowed by law, it would be nine thousand
eight hundred end seventy eight officers
and soldiers, exclusive Of the enlisted men
OF the ordinance but its actual numerical
strength will generally rsl considerably be.
low this number.
Inc great extensions Of our territorial
limits required new arrangement, of our
military divisions and departments. Tho
eastern, or first division, is no, changed
Texas and New Mexico have been added to
The western, or second, and Cahfonla and
Oregon constitute the thrd-or The division
Of the Pacific.
In aluslon TO the neglec, to send troops
10 Oregon 10 protecl the settlements from
the attacks Of the Indians, the Secre,a.
ry says that the mounlcd rife regimen,
was ordered on tina, service, but tina, this
arrangement was frustrated by the act of
Congress passed a, the close of the las.
session. which gave permission to tho en-.
listed men OF the regiment who had been
IN service in Mexico TO receive, on ap.
plica'ion, an honorable discharge from the
service Of the United States, and stand as
if they had served on, their respective
terms." BY the operation of this act, the
regiment, as TO the rank and file, was IN
effect dlsbanded. Promp, measurs were
taken TO recruit it; and no doubt lie enter.
tanned but shat, early in the spring, it will
be 10 condition TO leave for its des,ina.
ton.
The other regiments Of the permanent
military establishment were greatly reduced
al the close Of the war. They had been.
10 considerable extent, filled up by re.
cru's enlisted to serve only during its con.
tinuance. Owing TO the late period of their
return from Mexico, and the unavoidable
delay in recruiting or organizing, such az
were destined for distant service could not
be prepared to proceed by land to Oregon,
California, or New Mexico, until the sea.
son was SO far advanced as to render a
march across the country mpracticable.
y ders, 10 anticipation OF peace. were
gwen 10 the general in chief command TO
send regimen. from the headquarters in
Mexico 10 California; bu, the Mexican
government refused TO permi, it's passa oe to
the Pacific coast
Tho Secretary then mentions in detail
the troops sent up the Rio G,ande TO Cali.
fornia and Oregon.
Troops to guard the Rio Grande frontier
and keep in check the Indians in that QUAR-.
ter, have been ordered 10 Texas, and have
arrived at, or are on their way to, their
respective stations.
he remainder Of the army is distributed
on The Indian and Northern frontiers. and
on the Atlantic and Gulf coast.
The report notices the establishment, of
military posts at Grand Island and Fort
Laramie, on the Oregon route.
Inc amount Of contributions and ayaiIs
u captured property received by officers
i the army IN Mexico, thus far reported.
S3, o44 373 ~, which will be somewhat
lcreased by amounts collected in New
lexico and California. OF this amount.
% ,492 80 have been retained for expenses
collecting; S3i6,3 80 paid INTO ths
easury Of the United States S3, 267 $40
turned oyer to disbursins officers;
49,1l2 - credited by the Mexican gov.
nment to the United Suites in payment of
Q first 'nslament under the treaty; and
e remaining Sll3.259 02 charged against
9 collection officers. OF the amount
rned over to dlsbursing officers, $780,.
o were applied towards the payment Of
iirss inslament under the treaty with
exlco, and the greater par. of the balance
$ been discussed for regular and ordna.
purposes. Agains. the balances re.
lining, charged TO collecting officers. they
" be entitled 10 further credits on the
'eral accounts above stated 10 The amount
abou. $4,000.
No fund was placed by special appropri.
IN a. the disposal of the Executive, or
commanding generals to meet expenses
secret services, or for extraordinary
'cIs. Disbursements of this character
no. only usual but indispensable 10 the
'ecu'ion of war, and particularly Of a
ign war. The collections in Mexico
G been rssorted to for these purposes.
J not reasonable to expect that regular
;hers Of payment for secret services
lid be produced, and the accounts EN-.
ing such items must remain unadj3sted.
SIS Congress should deem i, properso
ide some mode for settling them.
o proven, delay and TO subserve the
enence OF the volunteers, paymasters
been sent into the several sections Of
country where these troops were raised
II is estimated that from
y to one hundred thousand persons be.
entitled to three months extra pay
r the act Of July last; the greater
Of thus number had left the service be-
his provision Of law was adopted
cred, as they are through every Sec
L. L