The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-12-20
Report of the Secretary of War.

The annual Report of Cvl Jefferson Davis,
Secretary of War, contains q variety of interest.
ing facts, and recommends several very impor.
tant reforms in the army Of the United States
The following is a condensed view Of its prom.
inent statements and suggestions:
The authorised strength Of tfe United States
army is 1881 men aud officers; but the actu.
al strength according to the latest returns, is
only lO,4l7, of which numbe:, S,37S are en-.
ployed in the frontier departments, or are now
ON their way to them. 1t is stated, further,
that the measures taken for the protection of
our frontiers have been successful; that the
troops, everywhere, have been actively and
constantly employed; that Indian depreda.
tions have been comparatively unfrequen. and
except in California aud Oregon, have not at.
tanned more than u local Importance.
New posts are to be established in the Indian
country west Of the Mississippi, in more favor
able positions, to enable the department to
dispense with number Of the smaller and less
important posts A greater force is also to be
employed for the protection of the e,niyrunts
crossing the plains.
A majority of the cases of Indian depreda-
tions in Texas, which have come to the knowl-
edge of the department, have been by Indians
from Mexican territory, Major Gen. Smith,
aided by an experienced officer Of engineers
is selecting sites for permanent Notifications
ON the Rio Grande One Of which will be op.
posite FL Passo and another at tue Camanche
crossing.
1t is the intention Of the department th.t as
snoa as possible, considerable force shall be
Sent to the Pacific Coast, aud one of the Briga.
(,opnru1s nf ibn 4 ,rln IL.
mand. Nine companies Of Artillery arc post
ed in Florida, to aid the efforts now in pro.
gress there to effect the removal "f the Indians
Coersive means are to b. used if found ncccs.
sary. Two of the reg inents Of Artillery are to
be arranged on The Canadian frontier and the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts; third on the Ri 0
Grande boundary aud IL fourth on the Pacific
coast. OF the Cavalry regiments, one ~i'l be
required in Texas, one in New Mexico, and
the remaining are for the Western frontier. A
fourth regiment of cavalry is asked ofCungrcss
by the Secretary. Three regiments of inlan
try are also required in Texas, besides 20 on
the frontier west Of the Mississippi, one in New
Mexico. and one in the Indian country of the
Pacific. 1t is the purpose Of the department
10 post the troops in large bodies in comman1.
ins positions instead OF dispensing them among
numpruns small posts.
Ip consequence Of the difficulty Of keeping
the ranks full. tie Secretary proposrs-l>t, an
iuc"eaSe Of sse prcs@nt pay Of the common sol.
der; 3D. an additional increase for each sue
eess;4e period Of five years, c. long us he shall
remain in the Army; Sd, provision Tor the pro-
motion to the lowest grades If commissioned
officers of such of the non commissioned off.
Gers Of the army as may be i;rnd qualified for
and by their character and services entitled To-
sutil aiyancempnt. Also, tlat every soldier
sho, haY;iy been hoaorahY discharged from
4he service Of the United States, shall within
one month thereafter re.rniist, be entit i tc
two dollars per month in addition to the ordi
nary pay Of his grade for the FIRST period Gffve
years after the expiration of his Iir>i enlistment
aud further sum of one dnllrr per mont:
for each successive Period of five gears; st
long as lie shall remain continuously ii the
Army
The Sec cay ur, elabnratey in favor .
.,,s ;i,~tcas. ut the Army, showing the actna