Washington sentinel., 1853-12-13
publit Document.
Report Of the secretary Of war.
War DEPARTMENT. Daoemh

the past year. The authorized strength ofthe army
(as now posted is l3,S2l-oicers and men; but il
Will be seen by the accompanying table, pre-
pared in the Adiutant Generals office from the
latest returns, that the actual strength is only
l0,4lI OF this number, S,37S are employed in
the frontier departments, or now on the route
for them. II gives me pleasure 10 say that the
measures taken for the protection of the inhabl-
tants OF our frontiers have under the direction OF
able and Jealous commanders been more than
successful. The troops have been everywhere
actively and constantly employed Indian depre-
dations have been comparatively unfrequent and,
except in California and Oregon, have not attained
a more than local importance. In the Indian
country, Immediately west of the Mississippi, but
two or three instances of collision have occurred.
Arrangements are now in progress, which, by the
establishment of new posts in more favorable po-
stions, will enable the department 10 dispense
with a number of the smaller and less important
posts 10 give increased security the frontier, TO
employ greater force for the protection of the
emigration crossing the great plains of the west,
and al the same time materially diminish the ex-
penses of the military establishments in that part
of the country In Texas, Indian hostilities have
diminished in frequency and importance, and in a
majority of the cases that have been brought 10
the notice of'the department. the depredations
have been committed by Indians from Mexican
territory. As the Rio Grande is the boundary be-
tween this country and Mexico, and the positions
to be occupied on IL for the protection OF that
frontier and the fnlflment of our treaty stipula-
tions with the Republic of Mexico, will, in all
probability. be permanent, the force that river
| has been considerably increased, and arrange
| ments are now being made under the direction OF
officer of engineers TO select the most suitable po-
sition for the attainment of these objects and for
the construction of the field works for their de-
fence. As part of this system, orders have been
given for the establishment OF strong post on the
Rio Grande, opposite the Mexican town Ell Paso,
in the negborhood Of which Indian hostilities and
collision between the frontier inhabitants Of the two
countries have occurred II also in contemplation
TO establish large post at the point where the
great trail Of the Comanche Indians crosses the
Rio Grande. Other dispositions for the control of
the Indians on the northern frontier of Texas are
also in progress, and when they are completed,
the department hopes with confidence TO give
very great security TO both the Mexican and In
dian frontier of that State. New Mexico has been
comparatively exempt from Indian disturbances
during the past year. The few that have occurred
have generally been traced TO marauders and out
laws for whose actions none OF the tribes in that
country can justly be held responsible.
Those TO which they nominally belong have
given assurances, which il is believed they are
endeavorng in good faith carry out, of their in
| tention 10 apprehend and deliver up these ma.
| rauders, and restore the property plundered by
| them.
The Indians of California and Oregon are nu-
| merous and warike, but as they are divided into
small independent bands, having no general head,
| and Were in great measure destitute of fire arms
their hostllities in previous years were not I'M
portant.
Now, however, that the rapidly extending set
Elements of those countries are driving the In
dians from their accustomed haunts and crowding
them into narrow limits they are formed into COM
binations both formidable and frequent Within
the past three years. their hostilities the result
in many instances, of the intrusion and aggres
sons of the whites. have been almost uninter-
rup feI a1ItyE 81
California more than 100 whites and several hun
dred Indians have been sacrificed in the collision
between the two races.
The force in that countryi is not now and never
has been sufficient, and impressed with the idea of
It's entire inadequacy, the department sometime
since ordered regiment of artillery TO the Pacific
and it was designed TO send them an additional
regiment of infantry, but il was found that the
state OF the service did not then, nor does vet
admit of il.
the issue of this order, brought intelligence of re-
newed hostties, in which more than forty lives
were lost. BY the activity and zeal Of General
Lane, delegate from Oregon Territory, in COM
mand OF volunteer force, aided by the few regu-
lar troops that were in the neighborhood, hostili-
| ties We're suppressed, and the Indians compelled
| to for peace. These operations appear 10
have been conducted with great energy and iudg-
| ment, and in the final conflict General Lane and
| Captain Alden (the latter in command of the repu.
/
! gallantly leading charge against the Indians
There is, however, no assurance that peace can
be maintained unless force adequate to the con-
1 troll OF the Indians is stationed in their midst II
is the intention of the department that this shall
| be done and as soon as possible a considerable
| additional force will be sent To the Pacific and
one of the brgadier generals Of the army ordered
/ 10 the command.
/ The vast territories between the Rocky noun
| tans and the Sierra Nevada are inhabited by mn
/ NOR rlil do In.l
now existing between them and the inhabitants of
| Utah Territory. and they constantly occurring
on the emigration routes through the country, from
the western States TO our possessions the Pa
CHIC. II is due TO our citizens who settled n
or pass through these remote regions that their
/ lives and property should be protected but the
department is without the means of fulfilling their
duty 1he measures adopted by the Department
of the Interior, under the last administration for
the removal OF the few Seminoles remaining in
! Florida, having failed il was considered advisable
TO transport the control of the Indians 10 the de-
| partment for the purpose of emigrating them TO
| the country west Of the Arkansas. An expert
| enced officer ofthe army, who is well acquainted
with their character and possesses their conf
! dence, has been entrusted with this duty and
with view to strengthen his efforts and at the
same time he prepared 10 use coercve measures
| II such should be necessary force consisting Of
nine companies of artillery, is posted in the penn-
sula OF Florida. II is hoped that the measures
! The appropriation of March 3, 1853 for remount-
ing the four additional light batteries authorized
by the act of March 3, lSi7 has been found insuf
ficient TO remount but three Of them Ii is recon-
mended that in the appropriation for the support
of the army for the next fiscal year, provision be
made for remounting and equipping the remaining
company For the details of The movements Of
troops during the past year, and their present dis
position reference is respectfully made 10 the re-
| port OF the commanding general and the accom-
! panying tables, which transmitted herewith.
| The disposition and employment of the army
must depend upon the necessities of the service
but il nothing unforeseen should occur, il is pro-
posed 10 send two of the regiments of artillery 10
the Canada frontier and TO the Atlantic and Gulf
coats. the third 10 the Rio Grande boundary, and
/ the fourth to the Pacific coast. Thetroops on the
seaboard will be concentrated as much as possible
| aud at each OF The posts occupied by them will be
/ provided the means necessary for tho instruction
Of officers and men in all the duties OF their profess
sion. The same course will be adopted, as far az
| practicable, at the points on the Mexican frontier
and Pacific coasts, occupied by the artillery, and
generally whenever IL can be done consistently
with a proper degree Of economy. OF the cavalry
regiments, one will be required in Texas, one in