The daily union., 1852-12-15
Report OF Major General Scott.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
Washington, November 22d,

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, November 22d, 1852.
SIR The following returns from the Adjutant Generals
Office accompany this annual report:
l. Organization OF the army as established by law,
marked A.
numbers borne the rolls. B.
g. Distribution Of the troops in the eastern division, C..
A. Distribution oil the troops the western Division ID.
s. Distribution OF the troops IN the third or Pacihc d.
vision, f..
8. Statement of the number OF recruits enlisted from
October /, 1851, TO September 80, 1852, +.
Daring the past twelve months the troops the from
tiers have been actively employed and have had several
sharp combas with parties OF Indians IN Texas New
Mexico, and California. All, however, is quiet, and
il is hoped the uiicous distribution OF the forces made
by the commanders IN those quarters may prevent any
further outbreaks. Eight companies OF the rife regi-
ment, Withdrawn from Oregon last year. having been re-
cruted and remounted, ordered 10 Texas where an
additional mounted force much needed. For the
defence of The frontiers Of that State there now
der the orders OF Bfevet Major General Smith, fourteen
companies OF cavalry, two companies OF artillery, with
three regiments and two companies OF inianTy-ln all
iory-eght companies The three infantry regiments
distributed along an exterior Gordon oil poss IN advance
OF the white settlements and stretching from Eagle Pass,
the Rio Grande, 10 Preston, on the Red river The
remainder OF the force Is posted on the Rio Grande be.
low Eagle Pass and along second line interior TO the
first. BY this arrangement the mounted troops are for
aged more economically and with greater facility, and
in position to move promptly TO any assaied poin, OF
the first line.
| The force IN New Mexico consists Of nine companies
OF Dragons OF artillery, and regiment en
panes) OF infantry Several new posts have been recent
iy established in this Territory, the heart OF the In
dian county, and appear 10 have had the effect OF awng
the waTlike tribes into quletness.
The hostila disposition manifested by the Indians in
California and Oregon requiring that troops in that
quarter should be reinforced, the fourth regiment Of in
ianry Withdrawn from the northern lakes, and
dered thher The force under Brevet Brgadle General
Hitchcock who commands the Pacific DIVISION will soon
consist OF three companies OF dragoons five companies
OF artillery and two regiments weny companes) OF in
iantryin all twony.elght companies Several changes
al, Aa.va@s h1vn
been made during the year. fhe post at the mouth OF
the Gla has been reoccuped with garrison OF three
companies This post will exercise sauary cheek on
the Yuma Indians the most wafllke tribe IN California,
and who have hitherto greatly harassed the emlgrants
passing through their country by the southern route TO
the Pacific. The whole OF the fourth infantry, eight
companies OF which have already arrived out rs TO be
stationed in Oregon and northern Californis-he head
quarters, with four companies at Vancouver one COM
pany the Daes OF the Columbia river and the re.
mainder OF the regiment distributed as 70 guard and
keep open the communications beweea Oregon and Cal
ilorna.
The other movements OF troops, Of less importance
may be thus briefly stated portion Of the fourth ar
tilery, sent from the seaboard to replace tie fourth n
fantry the northern lakes, and two companies OF the
second artillery, sent from Charleston harbor 10 Florida
% meet the possibility OF difficulties IN that quarter grow
ing out OF the conempl plated removal thence OF remnant
OF Semnoles 10 the country assigned them west OF the
Arkansas.
THE RECRUITING SERVICE,
The recruiting service has been conducted with the
usual success the number OF enlisted being d,l74
The officers engaged n this branch OF the service have
shown commendable zeal in the performance OF their
duties. Their accounts have, in general, been promptly
rendered and the expenditures judciousy made.
The attention OF recruiting officers has been repeatedly
called TO the subject OF mnos, in order TO guard against
the enlistment OF any except in strict accordance with
law The general regulations, in conformity herewith,
prohibit such enstments without the written consent Of
the parent master guardian OF the minor, II he have
any and II he affirm that he has neither he is required,
before acceptance, TO have guardian appointed accord
ing TO law, 70 give the written consent WIN all The care
aud scrutiny thus exercised many minors whose appear
indicates full age but who turn out to be less by
ten fifteen and even twenty months, impose themselves
upon the recruiting officers THIS is almost daily shown
BY applications from parents and guardians to the Secre
ary Of War; who, proof OF minority, Is compelled TO
grant discharges under the 9th section OF the act making
appropriations for the support Of the army, &C. ap.
proved September 2S 1850 To guard the public inter-
against the yexaons and great pecunary loss Attend
ing such frauds additional legislation would seem TO be
necessary It s accordingly suggested that the minor
who thus seeks 10 make money by imposing himself on
the service should either be compelled TO out the
term OF enlistment the offence be made punishable be-
fore civil court.
The third section OF the act OF June II, $780, "to in
crease the rank and file OF the army and to encourage en-