The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-18
r "A E A r M Y
OUR MILITARY RESOURCES.
Annual Report OF the Secretary or the War
Depai tmena.

SIR 81 have the honor to submit the following
report OF the operations Of this department during
the post year. The authorized strength OF the ar
sas nOw posted) Is Is ,o2l--oilcers and men but it
will be seen by the sccompsp sing table, prepared In
the A0jutant Generals Office from the latest returns,
that the actual strength Is only lO,4l7. VI ths
number, 1878 are employ ed III the frontier Depart
ments, or are now on the route for them " gives
pleasure TO FAY that the measures taken Tor the
protection of tue Inhabitants OF our frontiers nave,
under the direction Of able and jealous comm anders,
been more than usually successful fhe troops have
everya here been actively and constantly employed.
Indian depredatons have been comp lratlyey unfre-
quent, and except in California aud Oresoo, have
not attained more than local Importance. In the
Indian country Immediately west Of the Mississippi
hut two or three instances OF collision have oc-
CURED.
Arrangements are now in progress, which, by the
establishment Of new posts in more available posi-
tons, will enable the department: To dispense with
number of the smsDer and less important D osts to
give increased security 70 that frobter to employ
greater force for The protect IN of the emigration
crossing the great plains of the West and az the same
time materially diminish the expenses OF the military
establishment Id that part OF the country. In Texas
IDdiao hostilites have diminished in frequency aud
Importance, and ID majority of the cases that have
been brought to the notice Of the department ths
depredatoDs have been committed by Indians from
Mexican territory. As the Rio Grapie is the bound
airy between this country and Mexico, and the posi-
tons to be occupied it for the pr ,ectOn OF that
frontier and the fulalment of our treaty spaati ,ns
with the republic OF Mexico will, ia all probability,
be permanent, the force that river has bees con
lderably increased, and arrangements are now being
made, under the direction Of Major General Smith,
aided by an experienced officer OF engineers, to
ect the most suitable position for the attainment of
hese obscs, and for the construction OF field works
or their defence.
Asa part of the system orders have been given
or the establishment OF strong post on tue Rip
irsnde, opposite toe Mexican town Of Eel Paso, in
he neighbOrh0od OF which Indian hOstlties and
collisions between the frontier inhabitants Of the two
Countries have occurred. 1t is also in contempla-
ion to establish large post at the point where the
reat trail Of the Comanche Indian, crosses the Rio
irande. Other dispositions for the control of the
indians the northern frontier of Texas are also in
rogress, and when they are completed, the Depart
ieDt hopes with confidence to give a very great
ecurity to both the Mexican and Indian frontier of
hat State New Mexico has been comparatively
xempt from Indian distur ban ,es during the past
ear The few that have occurred have generally
cen traced to msrauders and outlaws, for whose
ctions none of the tribes OF that country justly
e held responsible.
Those to which they nomiaaly belong have given
bsuranccs, which it is believed they are endeavor-
g in good faith to carry out OF their intention to
Pprehsnd and deliver up these maraudsrs aai re-
tore the property pluAdered by them.
The Indians OF California and Oregon are hume
US aud warIike but as they divided iato small
dependent bands, having no general head, and
ere IN great measure destitute Ut firearms. their
ostlises in previous years were not important.
Now, however, that the rapidly extending settle
epts Of those countries driving the Indians from
eir accustomed haunts, and crowding them into
9TH formidable and frequent Within the past three
ars, their hostities, the result in many instances,
the intrusion and aggression OF the whites, have
ZEN almost uninterrupted; and it is officially known
at in Northern California more than enc hundred
bites and several hundred Indians have been sacr-
ed in the collision between the two races
The force in that country is not now, and never
IS been suffice Mt, and, impressed with the idea Of
entire inadequacy, the department some time
bee ordered regiment OF artillery to the Pacific,
d il was designed to send them an additional regi-
NkDe {rfar lint hat no<nt as
service would not then .nor would yet, admit fit.
The first mail from the Pacific subsequent to the
ne Of this order, brought intelligence of rene wed
stilitios in VIII ch more than forty lives were lost
the zeal and activity Of Gen. Lane, delegate from
eg0n territory, In command Of q volunteer force,
led by the few regular troops that were in the
ghborhOOd, hostilites were suppressed, and the
Slams compelled 10 sue for peace. These opera
as appear to have been conducted with great ener-
and judi ment, ard in the final conflict Gen. Zane
Capt Alden Chs latter in command OF the regu-
tr00ps) were both severely wounded while gal
lily leading charge against the Indians. There
however no assurance that peace can be main
ned unless force adequate to the control Of the
1ians is stationed in their midst II is the intsn
Of the department that this snail be done, aud
soon as possible considerable additional force
be sent to the Pacific, and one Of the brigadier
herals Of the army ordered to the command.
The vast territories between the Rocky Mountains
the Sierra Nevada are inhabited by numerous
rlike bands Of Indians. HOsfities are now exist
between them and the inhabitants Of Utah terri
and they are constantly occurring on the nj
ton routes through the country. from the Western
ties to our possessions Cd the Pacific. 1t is due to
citizens who are settled in, OF pass through those
hote regions, that their lives and property should
protected, but the department is without the
ans Of fulfilling this duty. The measures adopted
the Department OF the Interior under the last
hnistration for the removal Of the few Seminoles
aiming in Florida svDg failed it was considered
isable TO transfer the control OF these Indians to
department, fer the purpose Of emigrating them
he country west OF the Arkansas. An experienced
per of the army who is well &C luainted With their
rActer and possesses their confidence. has been
ruste1 with this duty and with view to
ngthen his efforts, and at the same time be pre-
I'd to use -coercive measures if such should be
essary, force consisting OF nine companies Of
llery il posted in the peninsula OF Florida 1t is
ed that the measures thus taken will be attended
b favorable results.
he appropriation. OF March 8, 1858, for remount-
the four additional light batteries authorized by
act OF March 3, 1917, has been found insufficient
emount but three OF them. 1t is recommended
in the appropriation for the support of the army
he next fiscal year, provision b. made for re-
ntng and equipping the remaining company.
the details OF the movements Of troops during
past year, and their present dis position, reference
specially made to the repor, OF the command
gene al and the accompanying tables, which
transmitted herewith.
be disposition and employment Of the army must
ehd upon the necessities Of the service but if no
6 unforeseen should occur, it is proposed to ar
two of the regiments OF artillery to the Canada
tier and to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the
to the Rio GraDde boundary and the fourth to
Pac fc coast The troops on the seaboard will
Concentrated as much as possible, and at each of
pests occupied by them will be provided the
MS Iecessary TOR the instruction OF officers and
in all the duties OF their profession. The same
Sc will be adopted, as far rs practicable, at the
o. the Mexican frontier and Pacific coasts, oc-
ed by the artillery, and generally whenever it
TIC done consistently with proper degree OF
cmy
the cavalry egiments, one will be required in
Bs, one In NeH Mexico, and the remaining ons
he western ffoutier, for service on the plains for
protection OF emiaraDts A fourth is needed for
PsciGc and the country between the Rocky
n;oins ard the Sierra Nevada, aud it is hoped
Compress Will suthorizs its org aniZation.
brec regiments of irfaptry are required in Texas,
On tie frontier vest OF tle Mississippi, one in
Mexico, aud the remaining one in the Ina m
try of the Pacific. In another part of this re-
shall invite your attention 70 the necess.'y OF