The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-16
TIL Il r Z 2 u B Lie.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL.IN-C CHIEF,
Referred 10 and accompanying The Report
Of the Secretary Of WT.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,


HEADQUARTERS OF THE Army,
WAsHisGToN, SATURDAY, Nov. 80, 1850.
Sir: The organization, actual numbers on the
rolls and distribution Of the Army. will be shown
by the returns from the Adjutant Generals office,
appended to this report, viz;
/. Organization ofthe Army of the United States,
as established by law, marked A.
2 General return Of the Army, b.
3. Position and distribution of the troops in the
Eastern Division, G.
4. Position and distribution of the troops in the
Western Division, ID.
5. Position and distribution of the troops in the
Third, or Pacific Division, f,
D. Exhibit of the number of recruits enlisted from
Oct. H. ls49, to Sept. 80, 1850. F. With the Ad,
jutant Generals report thereon
In my last annual report to the War Depart
ment, dated November 3, lS49, represented the
urgent necessity OF the increase Of the military
adjustment, created mainly by the large accession
of territory acquired by the late treaty of peace
with Mexico, and the express stipulation,
part protect that republic from the Indian tribes
within our limits. Congress. by the act of June
II, 1850, recognised this necessity, but the addi-
uonal force authorized was both inadequate in
numbers and description. The act empowered the
President, whenever in HIS opinion any exigency
required it, to increase to seventy four the number
Of prlvates in companies serving on the western
frontier and at remote stations and to mount such
portions OF the foot companies SO employed as he
might deem necessary The great extent Of our
frontiers and the peculiar character OF the service
devolving on the troops, render it indispensable
that the Cavalry element should enter largely into
the composition of the army
Two additional regiments OF horse (dra coon
mounted rihemen) are deemed absolutely neccs-
sary. The service liz suffering greatly in Texas,
New Mexico, and on the Pacific, owing to the in
sulhciency of the force authorized by law.
For the want of regular cavalry, the commanding
general in Texas has been compelled to call out, at
a great expense, considerable body of volunteer
horse. The commander in New Mexico has also
made repeated and pressing applications for caval
ry, but not a company could be spared from other
quarters TO reinforce him. No other description of
troops will answer for the protection of i'm
mense lines OF emigration and frontier settlements
through and bordering on, Indian tribes Mount
ed infantry, as substitute, is wholly inadequate
and the experiment of employing foot regiments
III this way can only result in disorganizing them
in antry, and converting them into extremely
indifferent horsemen Besides, from their ineXpe-
rience, and the temporary character of their new
duties, the wear and tear OF horses and equipments
IN the hands of infantry, would be enormous
probably threefold greater than with regular
alry-(dragoons or mounted rifemen )--thus max
ing this nondescript force the most expensive and
the least efficient known to our service.
| beg, therefore, 10 recommend, for the reasons
given in my former report, that three regiments be
added 10 the establishment, two of light dra goons
or mounted rifemen, and one of infantry; that two
companies be added 10 the present forty eight COM
panies of artillery, and that the fifty be organize
into five regiments of artillery-one with its field
and staff officers for the Pacific coast; and that the
President DC authorized, according 10 the exlgcD-
ces OF the SERVICE TO cause TO be extended by
lar enlistments, the number of privates in every
company, old and new, throughout the army, from
forty-two, fifty, and sixty -four, respectively, to
any number not exceeding seventy four privates
per company.
Another years experience has confirmed me in
the opinion that it lie only by such augmentations
the army can be enabled to preserve our fortified
tions along the British, the Atlantic, and uf Of
Mexico frontiers; to guard the Immense lines of
emigration across the Rocky mountains, and de-
fend our numerous settlements bordering as
many ILL affected Indian tribes
In the same report, Nov. 3, lS49-( Executive
Document No. 5, PIP. 9S-l03)-I presented the
equitable claims Of the decayed or WORKOUT sol
dlers-regulars and volunteers-discharged, or
who may be discharged, 10 an asylum, and showed
that might be established out Of the funds al
ready lodged in the treasury by the army and by
other means, without original or subsequent charge
upon the country. again beg leave TO commend
this most interesting subject TO the attention of the
higher authorities.
a bill providing for a retired list of disabled and
worn out officers passed the Senate at the ast
sion, and will, | hope, soon be taken up by the
House, and made law.
The Sd section of the act of June IT, 1850, de
signed 20 encourage enlistments in the vicinity OF
the remote frontier posts, by giving bounty TO
each recruit the expense of subssting and trans
porting one from the principal depot in the east 10
such post, has proved failure, and ought to be
repealed. The inducement il presents is not suf.
hcient TO accomplish its object Indeed, the main,
army is by recruiting in the old States
An act making appropriations for the support Of
the army, approved September p, 1850, section
hrst, doubles the pay proper Of enlisted men serv.
ing IN Oregon and California. This is iust Dr..
vision, and ought 10 be extended to New Mexico !
where, Il Is believed, the expenses Of living are
nearly az great as on the Pacific and the service
m9re arduous. The act limits the payment Of this
additional compensation To March, 1882 but il will
doubt be fund necessary TO prolong the time
IL Il also directed that the gratuity be not paid 10
the soldier till the end Of his enlistment This will
certainly check to dcsertions but il is ap.
prehended u may ALEC prevent re-enlistments. a
soldier receiving 80 large amount Of back pay
at his discharge would BE- likely TO re-enter fjr
a second term. Perhaps both objects-the proven
ton OF desertions and encouraging enlistments -
might be secured by retaining I'LL the expiration Of
service one half instead Of the whole the addition
nj pay granted by the act referred to- and il is re-
commented that the Law be modified accordingly
have the honor TO remain, sir, with high re-
spoct, your obcdient servant
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. c. NJ. CONRAD, Secretary Of War.