Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1853-12-17
Reports OF the Secretary of war and
Navy,

we are IluCOleu I'D lHe DutIIhOIC SIiPPCl
The authorized strength Of the Army is
1921, but the actual strength is only TO-
All; 1878 are employed on the frontiers,
or are Ell route thither, and the measures
for protecting the frontiers are becoming
more successful. Except in California
and Oregon, Indian depredations are be-
coming less frequent, and new posts for
better protection are to be establshed.-
The depredatons in Texas have been
mostly committed BY indians from Mexi-
co. 1t is the intention Of the Department
to strengthen the force on the Rio Grande,
for although peace has been gained there,
no assurance of It's continuance can be had
except by the presence of large force
With an army three times as large as ours,
ii would be impossible to protect the from
tiers, and the Department intends 10 con-
centrate large bodies of troops On import
ant points, and have less number Of
small detachments.
More adequate appropriations for forti
fcatlOns are urged, and arrangements for
Texas and the Pacific are Immediately ne
cessary. Better means for conveying pub
JIG stores are also needed, and 4,G00 re-
cruits are required.
The Secretary thinks that the soldiers
should be better paid, and more in proper
ton to what they can earn in civil employ
ments. In an army Of &c, 600 men, which
IS about the actual strength of our military
establishment, as at present organized,
there will be annually, under existing cir
cumStances Of paw and service, 300 dis
charges by expiration Of enlistment; 1875
discharges for disability, &c; $50 deaths,
and | ,465 desertions; or 1911 vacancies
annually, Of which only 2l9 are filed by
re-enlistments. The actual annual loss to
the Army to be supplied by the enlistment
of new men will therefore be 1892. Or,
in olher'words, more than ope-third of the
Army must every year be recruited and
transferred from the depots TO their Fegi-
ments. In view of these experiences, the
Secretary recommends the adoption of
such measures as will prevent desertions
and keep the ranks full Among such he
suggests.
/. An increase of = per cent. of the
present pay of the soldier.
2. An additional increase for each sue
cessiye period of five years, so long as he
shall remain in the army.
e" 3. Provision for promotion to the low
est grade of commissioned officers Of such
Ofthe non-commissioned officers of the ar
my as may be found qualified for, and, by
,4heir conduct, character and services, entl'
tied to such advancement.
~ He also recommends that honOrably dis
charged soldiers who re-enlist within
month should receive 81 per month addi-
liOaai pay for five years. Numerous 9th
er recommendations for increasing the eff
ficiency of the army are given. The en-
couragement Of regularly uniformed corps
Of militia is recommended, and that they
should be provided with books of tactics
The report embraces many other topics
connected with the Department
THE NAvY.-After a review of naval
operations for the pastye it deYotes sew
eral paragraphs to the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, which he highly commends-
reviews the condition OF the Navy \ ards
and Docks-and then proceeds to recon-
mend an increase of the Navy, as nGces-
sary to the MAINTENANCE of OuV proper and
elevated rank among the great powers OF
the world, protection of our widespread
and growing commerce, and the defence
of our thousands Of miles of coast. He
proposes TO add 70 our present force two
first class sailing frigate3 and seven first
class steam frigates, capable OF mounting
so guns each. He also recommends re-
organization of the Navy,-the adoption
of a retired list, on reduced pay, Tor the
faithful who have become infrm-ihe dis
cbarGe Of the inefficient who have no claim
upon the bounty of the government for ser
vices rendered-promOtion regulated by
capacity, merit, and not by mere seniority
of commission-pay, TO some extent con-
trolIed by sea-service: The Hon. Secre-
tary urges with much ability the adoption
Of these changes, as well as the increase
ofthe Navy above mentioned, and we have
great hopes that his recommendations Will
be substantially adopted. Without them
our Navy can never be whatit ought TO be.
1t cannot live upon the past, but must glrd
itself for new achievements when the eXlg-
encies of the country shall require them.
The Hon. Secretary proposes such
modification of opr system IN regard TO
seamen. as will encoIage more permanent
enthusiastically seamen more thor
oughlv with the Navy, and elevate their
character by plan of rewards as well as
punishments. Several regulations apPro-
pirate to these ends, he specifies and adyo'
Gates.
The estimates for the support OF the
NAVY and Marine corps for the year end