Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE MESSAGE
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
War DEPARTMENT.

WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 4, 1852
Sir: beg leave to submit brief account of the ope-
rations of this Department during the year.
The efforts Of the Department have been principally
directed to the defence Of frontiers and those Next
from the Indian tribes within borders. For this
purpose of about Ii 900 officers and men borne on
the rolls Of the army about 5000 employed in the
defence Of Texas New Mexico California, and Oregon,
or of emgrants destined to the two last
1t affords great pleasure TO say that the efforts of
the Department for this purpose have been attended with
than usual
The benefits that anticipated from the judicous
arrangements made by the commanders of the 9th and
9th military departments Texas and New Mexco have
been fully realized With the exception Of portion Of
the Rio Grande country the former has been compare
lively exempt from Indian depredations. A number of
persons of desperate character and fortunes were
ed to that frontier by the awess attempts of Carvaa
and after his defeat they dispersed through the country
and resorted to plumber for subsistence On the other
hand many of the inhabitants of Mexico either sought
svenge themselves for the wrongs inflicted them by
that adventurer and his followers found in his awess
proceedingsa justification for their own and retaiaed
on the peaceable inhabitants.
The Indians in that vicinity avaled themselves Of the
confusion and alarm consequent upon this state of things
TO their depredatons Thefs robberies and even
assassnations the consequence.
Although the prevention or punishment of disorders
like these, when committed by others than Indians be-
longs rather TO the civil authorities Of the State than
the military force Of the United States the commanding
officer used every exeron to put stop to them, and for
that purpose ordered several additional companies Of
troops the part Of the State where they had occurred
II is believed that these have been at least par
tally successful SO long however, the species Of
border warfare which has lately been carried in that
regon between the inhabitants Of the countries
tnues II viii be difficult if impossible, with any
Der Of troops and with the strctest vigilance the part
Of their officers TO prevent extensive frontier,
repetition Of these disorders.
In New Mexico the depredatons Of the Indians have
been entirely arrested The Navajos and the Apaches
the two most formidable tribes in all that region have
been completely overawed and manifest every desire
be at peace with the whites
In consequence of frequent collisions between the In
dans and the white inhabitants Of California and Oregon
il deemed advisable TO send the 4th regiment of in
fantry TO the Pacific TO replace the mounted remen that
had been ordered thence TO Texas
Intelligence has been recently received that the Yuma
Indians bold and hostile tribe occupying portion Of
country the CHA and Colorado rivers whose inroads
and depredaons have been the Of frequent annoy
ance and alarm TO the inhabitants both Of our own terri
tory and Of the Mexican State Of Sonora have agreed
peace
The troops stationed the frontier may justly be
sdered in active seryicea service too in which they
are exposed 10 all the hardshps and dangers OF with
its excitement to stimulate or its hopes Of honorable
distinction to sustain them.
owing TO the many ofncers VINO, from dlsaDy or other
causes excused from duty the and response
bilities Of command frequently devolve small mum
Der and the establishment, during the last season, Of
number Of posts has added very much to the abors
both Of the officers and nevertheless it affords
great pleasure to bear testimony TO the cheerulness and
aacrity with which all have discharged their duties To
Breve Major General Smith and Breve Colonel Sumner
in particular much praise is due The former although
in feeble health has been unremtting in his exertions
and his energy and udcous arrangements his depart
ment greatly indebted for the comparative tranquility
il enjoys The latter has not only succeeded in arrestng
the ncursions Of the Indians within his command but has
greatly reduced its expenditures.
Brevet Brigader General Hitchcock has also displayed
great energy and prudence and done all that i was pos
sble to do with very inadequate force, and amid many
difficulties and endorsements to protect his extensive
command.
regret to say that the attempt to cultivate farms by
the troops has but in few instances during the past
son been attended with beneficial results This failure
i owing in part to the constant activity in which i has
been found necessary keep the troops and % the ne
essty Of employing them in demonstration of barracks
and In other works the many posts that have re-
Gently been established Hopes entertained however
that when fair trial Of the experiment can Dc made 1t