The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-16
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT.
R~port OF Major General Scott.
HEADQUARTERS OF The ARMY,
WAsHINGToS, November %, 1882

STA. The folio wing returns from the AdJutant
Generals Office accompany this annual report;
]. Organization of the army as established by
law, marked A.
.. General return OF the army, showing the &C
tual numbers borne on the role, b.
3, Distribution Of the troops in the Eastern di-
vision, c.
A. Distribution Of the troops in the Western d.
vision, D.
Distribution ofihe troops in the third or Pacific
division, E.
6 Statement OF the number Of recruits enlisted
fiom October /, 1851, 10 September 80 1852, F.
During the past twelve months the troops the
frontiers have been actively employed. and have
had several sharp cumbats with parties Of Indians
in Tcxas, New Mexico, and California. All, how
ever, 10 now quiet, and il is hoped the judlcious
distrIbut ton OF the iorccs made by the command
ers in those quarters may prevent any further out
breaks. Eight companies of the rifle regiment,
Withdrawn from Oregon last year, having been
recruits, d and reI. ouned, were ordered TO Texas,
whe,s an additional mounted force much
needed. For the defence of the frontiers of that
State there now, under the orders of Brevet
hsjrr General Smith fourteen companies OF ca
vary, two companies OF artillery, with three rec-
meats and two companies of infa ntPy-in all forty.
eight companies. The three infantry regiments
Distributed along an exterior Gordon Of posts,
in advance of the white settlements and stretching
from Eagle Pass, the Rio Grande, to Preston
the Red river. The remainder Of the turce ID
posted on the Rio rande. below Ea gle Pass and
along second line interior to the first. By this
arrangement the mounted troops ioragcd
more economically and with greater facility, and
ARE in position to move promptly to any assaied
point of the first line.
The force in New Mexico consists of nine coin
panies OF Dragons, two OF artillery, and regi
ment t,en companiesl of infantry. Several new
posts have been recently established in this Terri
tory, near the heart of the Indian country, and
appear to have had the effect OF awing the war
like tribes into quietEess
The hostile disposition manifested by the indiana
in California and Oregon requiring that our troops
in that quarter should be reinforced, the fourth
regiment oil infantry was Withdrawn from the
northern lakes and ordered thitber. The force
under Brevet Brigadier General Hitchcock, who
commands the Pacific division, will soon consist
OF three companies of dragoons, five companies OF
artillery, and two regiments (twenty companies
OF lniantry-in all twent y ght companies. SIEVE
raj changes in the stations of the troops within
this division have been made during the year.
The post at the mouth of the ella has been
occupied with garrison OF three companies.
This post will exercise ssiuiary check on the
Yuma Indians, the most warlike tribe in Caiifor-
mia, and Who have hitherto greatly harasscd the
emigrants 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. Ia to be stationed in Oregon
and Northern California-the headquarters, with
four companies, at Vancouver; one company at
the Dallea OF the Columbia RIVER; and the remain
der oil the nent 70 distributed as TO guard and
Keep open tie communications between Oregon
and California.
The other movements of troops, of less import
ance, may be thus briefly stated: portion OF the
Fourth Artillery, cent from the seaboard replace
the Fourth Infantry on the Northern lakes, and two
companies OF the Second Artillery, sent from
Charleston harbor to Florida meet the possibility
Of difficulties in that quarter, growing out of the
contemplated removal thence of remnant Of Sc
m,noles to the country assg ned them west Of the
Arkansas.
The Recruiting Service.
The recruiting service has been conducted with
the usual success the number of men enlisted be-
ing Ana The officers engaged in this branch of
the service have shown a Commendable zeal in the
performance OF their duties. Their accounts have,
In general, been promptly rendered and the
pendltures judiCiousl ~ made.
The attention of recruiting officers has been
repeatedly called to the subject of minors, in order
TO guard against the enlistment of any except in
strict accordance with law. The general regula
lions, in conformity herewith prohibit such IN
hstmcnts without the written consent of the pa
rent, maeter, or guardian of the minor II he have
any, and il nc affirm that he has neither, he 10
CURED, before acceptance, to have n guardian APP
pointed according TO law 10 give the written con.
sent. With all the care and scrutiny thus exsr
cscd, many minors, whose appearance indicate
ull age but who turn out TO be less by ten, fifteen,
and even tgenty months, impose themselves upon
the recruiting officers. This ;s almost daily shown
by applications from parents and guardians to the
cecretary OF War, who, on proof of minority, IL
rompsi"t 10 grant discharges under the fifth
section of the act "making appropriations for the
support OF the army &c, approved September
3. $780, To guard the public interest against the
yexatons and great pecunipry loss attending such
frauGs, additional Legislation would seem 10 be
necessary. 1t is accordingly suggested that the
minor who thus seeks TO make money by imposing
him-eii on tie servlce should either be compelled
to out the term OF enlistment, the offence
be made punishable before a civil court.
The third section Of the act OF June II. 1850. "to
inarense the rank and file Ut the army and to en-.
Courage eniistments. having almost entirely failed
90 shrct liz purposes, may advantageousiy be re
pcaed. Very few men enter The service for the
fret time at more distant stations; and ain.
pie bounty is provided for the soldier who enlis,
by the twenty ninth section of the act ''to increase
the present mlt .ry establishment" &C., approved
July 5, 1898.
Farm Culture.
So far farm culture by the troops, as directed by
general order No. |, January 3, 1851, "a copy Of
which appended to my laet annual reportD
has fulfilled the desired objects In Texas,
California, and Oregon nothing has been attempt
ed, in consequence of the troops in thosc depart
ments being Constanily employed, either in the nur
suit OF uding Indians in the establishment of
new posis TO hold them IN check and protect the
frontier settlements. In New Mexico but little
was accomplished during the past year, and the
outlay far exceeded the receipts. Better results,
doub less. may hereafter be expected there, part
cularIy as il has been found necessary 20 employ,
farmers, hired citiZens. Al the distant pQsts on
the Western plains cultivation failed entirely. II
will perhaps be cxpedent, locking to the cncour
ngrulent Of reputation in the neighborhood Of
military pysts, TO discontinue the system. Beside
the protection gained main inducement with
emigrants 70 settle military station ia t"
frd Il ready market for their surp"s produce,
which indictment would bc taken away ii the
pubic farms were successful. 1t ia found, more
over That troopa cannot be kept actively engaged
in military duties, and maintain discipline. il
CURED TO engage in cultivation beyond kitchen
gardena.
Rerision Of the Rules and articles Of Har.
Congress (Septcmbcr 90 1870 borrowed entire
from tie mother country the statutory code for
tefial change down 20 April 10. 1906, when the
present rules and articles were re-enacted upon
revision made in Of the military committees Of
Congress. THE revision gave cast and form en-
trey new 10 the previous code, and embraces
material chan gcs aud discrcpancca-c zach n blum
dCr-thc effect Of the excessive low state of every
kind Of military kno %lcGge in the United States
at that period. 1t is recommended thnt the whole
subject bc referred 10 b ard Of officers TO re-
port a new revision to be laid before Congress.
For the codes Of l776 and 1906 see Hsiztps MID
fnrv Laos, D 10, &c and D. lD7, &c.