Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-06
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR

The Secretary Of War states the aggregate strength of TIT
army rank and file, II 92i men, surprising each company
to have its full complement fixed by law and lie estimates
the deduction 10 be made from that number account
incomplete companies sickness, aud casualties,
rage thirty forty per cent Seven thousand hun
bred and ninety six officers and men, than one-hal
of the whole army stationed in under orders fol
Texas, New Mexico California, and Oregon This fore,
be inadequate To protect frontier and tho
frontier of Mexico from the deprcdaions Of Indians resi-
ding within the limits Of the United States; and the Secre
tary that the military establishment is entirely made
Prompt have been taken carry effect thu
of the l1h of June last which provided for mounting
portion of the infantry stationed in Texas After the expo
renee which has been CLEANED this point, sur
prised that Congress should have passed such law; for
enaicd heavy expense without any adequate advantage
The Cumanchcs and other prairie Indians have but It'll,
regard for infantry either horseback foot Thus
far the only result that has attended the practice of placing
infantry horseback that have heurd Of has been
furnish the Cumancles with American horses, in lieu o
their mustangs al the expense of tho treasury. We there
fore in the Secretary's recommendation raise
additional cavalry force for this service In that event. TIT
men would be enlisted with reference the duties they
intended TO PERFORM and would do than ntlict need
less and useless expense upon the government.
Mr. Conrad suggests the organization and of por
ton OF the Pueblo Indians under United States officers
species of militia to keep the savage tribes OF New
Mexico in due subsection; and we would respectfully sug
gcs Congress that the best of afiordng Texas
that protection which she il manifesy entitled and Il
give the Mexican frontier that security which
der treaty engagements afford, would be enlist
cd men for that especial service with that the,
that method the necessary enismcnts might be OBJ
tanned and one or regiments speedily raised consist
ing OF men accustomed 10 frontier life and who never
could be induced enlist into the regular army of the Uni
ted States subject be stationed in any part the coned
eracy from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific Our attention wa.
called 10 this subject some time since by the daring foys
the Cumanchcs We possessed ourselves of the views
OF intelligence and experience from Western Tcxas
who have been engaged in conflicts with the Cumanches
and convinced Of the usefulness Of infantry except
for garrison and depot duty that frontier Nothing but
cavalry render efeca services and enlistmens after the
we have suggested would increase its efficiency
Mr. Conrad repeats the recommendation of the Mr. CIaw-
ford 10 form retired list of the officers of the army so that
those who ncapacated from age wounds or dsease
contracted in the public service, may be exempt from duty
and receive reduced pay He also commends the plan of the
Genemin Chief for the establishment oil an asylumn for
disabled and destitute soldiers.
Through the agency OF the Governor of Minnesota and
the agent OF the government the Chippewa Indians have
been induced make treaty of peace with the Sioux under
that lift violated the IT, S. would not only in
terfec TO protect hem but would redress their wrongs Soon
after the treaty was concluded violated by the Sioux
who made an attack upon the Chippewas The Secretary
recommends that small force be against the Sioux
When the faith Of the government is pledged we wish TO
the pledge redeened and humanity requires that The
States authorities should every exeon 10 promote
among the Indian tribes and advance their we'll benr But
not prepared 10 sanction method of procedure nv
winch the United Staias become responsible for Indian faith
or involved in the wars between Indian tribes
The residue of Mr. Conrads report is taken ND with tho
movements OF various portions of the and the exnen-
cltues which are necessary. We shall comment on that
portion OF II at this Time, may find necessary 10 SUBJ
init observations relative the expenditures Of NH the
Tor The next hsca year. as submitted by the Secretary of the
Treasury Union. - ~