The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-11
for their proper stations in departments Nos. s


mounted, were called into service for six months in
March and April, by Brevet Lieut. Col Washing
ton, the commander of the department.. He re-
ports that their services have contributed much
towards the comparative quiet and security at pre-
sent enjoyed in New Mexico. company of sixty
three Mexicans, and one Of ffty-four Pueblo In
dian volunteers, were also received into service,
and employed in expedition against the Navaoe
Indians from the 22d August to the 22d September.
The commander of the department reports that the
emergency at the time required the employment of
this auxiliary force
In consequence Of depredations and murders
committed by the Navajoe Indians. an expedition,
consisting Of two companies Cd artillery (65 men,
with four companies I'd infantry, l23 men, one
mounted company Of territorial militia, (63 men,
and one of Pueblo Indians. (54 men, in all 325
troops, under that energetic officer Brevet Leuten
ant Colonel Washington, marched from Jermes on
the 22d August for the canon of Cheile, the strong
hold of the Navajoes. After march Of eight days,
the command arrived in the vicinity of the Indian
cornfieds at Tunacha. party of the Indians was
here fired upon, and several killed and wounded
among the former the head chief Narbona. The
number of this tribe is estimated at 900 to 10000
of whom between 1900 and 5000 are warriors.
They are generally well mounted, and armed with
guns, lances, bows and arrows. The object of the
expedition having been accomplished, Colonel
Washington returned by another route, and, after
a march of about $50 miles, reached Albuquerque
the 2lst September
Several skirmishes with the Utahs and Apaches
have also been reported, in which the troops
evinced their wonted skill and bravery. The ad-
vantages resulting from these affairs are, the
covery of several captives and much stolen proper
ty, knowledge of the haunts of the savages, and
the moral effect, already apparent, on finding
themselves always promptly pursued, and obliged
to yield the fruits OF their forays.
In New Mexico sS5 troops are stationed, and
seven posts occupied.
VIII California, Department No. l0.)- The
I'd regiment of infantry, and one company of the
Sd artillery, which embarked at New York in No
yember, lS4s, arrived in California in April; and
two other companies ofinfantry, which sailed about
the oath of December, arrived at San Francisco
July 6th. In addition to the troops originally
signed to California, a light artillery company of
the lst regiment has been recently ordered to pro-
ceed by sea from Fort McHenry TO San Francisco
Careful examinations of every part of this nte
resting section of the country pushed rapidly
as the means at the disposal of the General com
manding will permit. The stations already estab-
lished San Diego Monterey, the Presidio Of San
Francisco, near the entrance of the bay, and two
and half miles from the town. Benecia, on the
Bay of San Francisco, at the upper end of the
Straits of Karquines, about thirty miles from the
sea- has been selected general depot, for which
il reported to be conveniently situated, being
cessible to the largest ships, and just below the
junction Of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers,
between which are the principal mining districts.
Camp Stanislaus, ,n the valley of the San joaquin,
and the post on the Sacramento Suffers Fort,
intended auxiliary depots in the direction Of
the mining districts; and any part Of the mines,
mountains, or country beyond, can be reached from
them by the troops at almost any season. These
posts will also aid the Indian Agents in preventing
the oppression of the peaceable Indians in that
quarter by lawless white men, and check the tribes
living the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, who have
manifested decided hostility to the settlers. The
San joaquin valley being unhealthy during the
rainy season, the troops stationed there will neces-
sarily be withdrawn TO the sea-coast when il COM
menccs, about the first of November.
K.-Oregon, Department No. ii , and the Ore
gon Roufe.-The two companies OF the lst artillery,
which sailed from New York in November, ls45,
Cnlt, rtx
the 18th of May One company was stationed near
Fort Vancouver, and the other near Tusqually, on
Puget's Sound. A particular examination Of the
country may result in the selection of other points
for the permanent posts. Astoria, although repre-
sented unfit for military station, may, If not
unhealthy, be occupied on account Of the custom
house established there by law, which may for a
time require the presence of troops.
The mounted rifle regiment moved westward
from Fort Leavenworth by detachments in May
On the occasion of the march Of this regiment TO
Oregon, instructions were issued according TO the
provisions of the sixth section Of the act of May 9h
1S46 and the original orders of the Secretary Of
War of June LIST. lS47, TO establish two Of the
chain of posts along the route to that territory One
to be at or near Fort Laramie, trading station Of
the American Fur Company, some $50 miles west
of Fort kearny and the other at the trading estab
bshment at Fort Hall, the head waters of the Co
lumbia river, somewhere on Bear river or its
tributaries, enough TO the Mormon settlements
in the vicinity Of Salt Lake, TO draw supplies OF
subsistence and forage, and at the time sufi-
cienty near the direct road TO Oregon TO afford a
stopping place for parties OF emgrants to rest,
Fort Kearny, opposite Grand Island on Platte
river, $40 miles west Of Fort Leavsnworth the first
in the chain of posts TO Oregon was garrisoned at
the date of the last annual report, by two compa-
nies Of the rifle regiment. These have since been
relieved by one company LIST dragoons and two OF
the 9th infantry; but as 1t may not be practicable 10
provide sufficient quarters for the troops the pres
ent season, the commanding officer has been au-
1ed IN nrHf nf he inf IN
Fort IPavenworth.
The two companies of the rifle regiment, and
one company Of the 9th infantry, assigned TO the
second post in the chain reached Fort Laramie in
June, July and August. After examination OF
the country within sixty miles, the site Of old Fort
Laramie, situated on the northwest bank Of the
Laramie river. mile from its junction with the
Platte, was decided TO be the most eligible position
for military poet, there being building material,
good water, grass and fuel within n short distance.
This post s regarded as of great Importance being
in the midst of several powerful tribes Of Indians,
never been friendly TO the whites. The Pawnees,
also, have shown hostile disposition various
occasions, but more recently by numbering two
mai-carricrs on the road between Fort Kearny
and Fort Laramie
X-The Recruiting Sercics
This important branch Of the service continues
10 be conducted with the usual good success. The
general superntendents have been reduced to two,
it being found unnecessary TO keep up the district
the army during the with Mexico Two field
officers, fourteen captains and twelve ieutenants
are employed for the general service; 5,l97 re-
cruits have been enlisted during the year ending
October 3lst
The receiving depots and schools of instruction
established at Fort Columbus, NJ Y, and Newport
Barracks, KY, for the artillery and infantry arms,
and the one at Carlisle Barracks, Pa, for the
mounted regiments greatly contribute to the econ
omy and efficiency OF the service, &c.
XI.-The Rank and File Of the army
Reports from various commanders on the from
tiers reierate in forcible terms the embarrassment
now, heretofore, felt in consequence OF the mea-
gre standard of the present company organization,
which, for the most part, makes their disposable
force merely nominal.
The idea Of numbers, of efficient strength in our
service, cannot well be Understood, when they are
computed by regiments and companies; for exam.
pie, the total strength OF the regiment Of infantry
when IL left jefferson Barracks in August last for
field service in Florida, including sick and extra
duty men, 36l and the average number OF
privates in the ten companies for duty less than
tcenfy- three
The late "army Of occupation" encsmped near
Matamoros, Mexico, March 29th. 1s46, consisted OF
fifty companies Of infantry, companies OF
cavalry, and sixteen Of artillery, in all seventy