The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-11

9.ilS. Al the close of The war with Mexico its org ami
zaon liked at 10 100 In 1850 il was increased by
sliding scale which admitted total strength, il all th,
companies OF the army were posted at remoe stations,
oil li,73l. As they are now posted, the authorized
Strengths 10 s2, busto reasonc which have alread,
been eA planned The actual number is less by 1896 men
It Will he seen by the above statements that, IN period
OF ioy -hsc years. the military peace establishment
The county has been augmented less than our thousand
men Ia lhe same period our country has Increased ~
population more Than eighteen millions, and 10 territory
a million Of square miles, In 1903 Indian frontier
requiring troops Tor ills protection less than l.ooe
rucs In extent and there were no long lines oi comIDu
nieaton requiring defence. Now, that frontier has in.
creased 10 more than 1900 miles. and our conmunica
iions through the Indian counrylraversed annually by
thousands OF our citizens aud requiring constant prosc
tion-o more Than 1000 miles Our seaboatd and for
egn frontier have been greatly increased, and OF the
latter over $500 miles are Mexican frontier, along
which, besides the duty OF guarding and protecting oul
own inhablants, is the superadded obligation (by treaty.
Of protecting The inhabiants OF Mexico from the Indians
living within our Limits BY the annexation OF Texas
and the acquisition o New Mexico and California. our
Indian population has been increased from 100000 tC
more than 100000 very large portion Of whom, preda
tory and warlike in Their habits, Tor the nrs time
brought into contact with people. The result OF this
is state OF continued disturbance II has been the pol
icy oil our government by grants OF land and preempton
rights, 10 induce the rapid settlement Of our western
Wds This involves The duty of protection The nii-
mate contact thus produced between the two races the
poneness OF the Indian 10 maraud and OF the whites 10
inuude upon The Indian lands cause constant collision
Agsessons on The part OF either lead 10 retaliation,
which, unfortunately, tails Tar more frequently upon the
innocent. and unouending than upon The guilty and re-
ialiaon leads TO war TO repees these disturbances.
t!oors mnst be collected from different points and lraas
ported difficult and expensive routes TO the scene
Of the troubles, the militia OF the country must be
called out 10 either case. heavy expenditures without
considering the arrangement OF business and the loss OF
life and properly. ine consequence In the mean ike
other portions OF the frontier stripped OF the troops
required for their defence, and this weakness invites
Tess.Un, and renders new movements OF troops and
renewed expenditures necessary tor their suppression
As the natural consequence OF this, the expenditures ot
tue army very great in proportion 10 lis strength.
reasonable increase OF the army, II II did not entirely
these disturbances, would al least dim nsh their
frequency, and produce immense saving of money. prop
eriy, ami lie
The disposition Of The army. and the assignment OF
troops the frontier departments have been stated in
other part OF this report. The force allotted TO each Is
man,teslly inadequate Il cannot De increased IN any
one Of Them without Withdrawing troops from other
points where their presence s equally necessary Your
attention is respectfully invited to the recommendation Of
the geneIan-cbief IN relation to this subject In The
expressed by him fully concur except that am
o the opinion that portion OF the increase which he rec
ommends should be attained by the addition OF another
regiment rather thaa by the proposed increase oil the
Alter tull alton OF wha, is and probably
will hereafter be required OF the army, urgently recon-
mend that the minimum organization OF all companies
be fixed IN the mounted rhemen. at 81 pvaes, and
that there be added TO the present military establishment
eemenl oil Dragons and two regiments OF Tf.men
This increase is materially less than tha recommended
by the commanding general and is considered absolute
ly indispensable 10 the proper ehcancy OF the military
service. 1t will give minimum organization OF Is SIS,
ocers and bot may be expanded II the limit liked
by the law oi June H. $780, be continued to i74la and
establishment o 12S privates per company 10
27,6l5 giving Tor state OF effective increase OF
from 10000 10 1000 men without the creation oil new
regiments The experience OF the last forty years has
demonstrated the wisdom OF maintaining in peace. mill.
ay establishment that capable OF the greatest
in TIE increased efficiency and economy OF CON-
paBies thus expanded in from nucleus Of expert.
enerd and disciplined men, more than compensate for the
additional expense OF maintaining skeleton regiments In
time oil peace
also recommend lha, another company OF ssppers and
miners be added TO the engineer corps for the purposes for
which the present company was authorized. The use
fulhess and economy of this class OF soldiers has been
practically demonstrated both in peace and war
The duties OF hospital stewards are OF very import
ant character, requiring considerable degree oil nteli-
gepce and general knowledge. There is no provision
Tor their enlistment. and is sometimes difficult 10 find
suitable persons among the essied OF the army
is ommended that authority be given Tor the enlist
meni. under the direction OF the Surgeon General oil az
many may be necessary for the public service, TO
celve The same compensation as rs now authorized by
/ law.
mandns general in relation 10 the extension OF the pen.
sion system 10 the widows and orphaas OF officers and
soldiers OF the regular army. and commend the subject
\ 10 your favorable consideration.
The experience OF every year gives Increased force to
the recommendations heretofore made for retired ls
for disabled and superannuaed officers The casualties o
the with Mexico have greatly increased the number
who are incapable OF the performance OF any active
duty. The plan recommended by my predecessors for
several years past would retire them on just compensa-
tion promote efficient officers IN their stead. and thus
greatly contribute to the good OF The service without any
new charge upon the treasury.
The pay OF officers Of the army established many
years ago. when the value OF money much greater
than at this tune. What then ouy reasonable
and just compensation is entirely inadequate and
accordingly recommend TO your favorable consideration
the proprey OF s beng increased IN proportion 10 The
increased OF living This IL only measure Of jus
lice 10 all but II s especially due TO those whose duties
require them 10 al stations where the comforts and
often the necessaries. OF lite command such erofb,an
prices TO place them beyond The reach OF those who
have other means than their ray.
The 18th section OF the ac, OF March 3, lst7, author
ixsd TO attach comm lss,oned officers who dslin.
gusbed themselves In the war with Me rico by brevst o
The lowest rank 10 any company. and To be-iow ccf
Gates oil meiit npon soldiers who IN like manner
Distinguished. Many OF the comm ssioned ofcer,
who mended for dstiDg sished conau
but would have received certificate oi merit the term'
OF the law had not preciodrd IT, u is respectfully
mended that the President be authorized to gan
certificates OF merit to commissioned officers who
not considered eligible for the position Of commits
stoned oflc.fs.
recommend to favorable consideration the suggestions
of the Quarermaser General, in his report submitted
herewith Tor the increase oil the comfort OF troops IN
barracks the augmentation Of The allowance 10 soldiers
when unsvoidaby employed as mechanics, teamstefs
70 sorekeepers and Darrack masters, and The settle
ment Of the accounts of dIsbursing officers.
The act os 1905 for EARNING aud eqnpplns the whole
body OF the militia OF the United States" makes an ap
preparation Tor supplying the several States and Terri
tories annually with such arms and equipments as are
usct By the United States troops the "quoa" due to each
being determined by sppor,ionng the whole amount
cordns 10 the returns OF the militia made TO The Ad0
tant General OF the army These returns furnished
irregulay by OF the States and by others not at all