Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-12-23
Rrpsrt Of tho Secretary Of war.


Thw document FOR which We cannot make room shis
morning states the autherz ID strength CT tbs United
6tates Army to be Is, S2l and oficsrs; but the
setus 9Th according the latest returns is only
lo,4i7, of which numbsr 37S are employed in the
frontier departments now on the way to them.
says furthsr that the measures taken for the Pc
siou Of frontiers have been successful That the
troops have be>n actively and constantly
smployedj that Indian dcpredations have been com
parativcy unfrequsut, and except in California and
Oregon, have not attained than cal portapce
New poss orc to DO established in the Indian country
VISIT OF the Mississippi, in more favorable positions,
b enable the department to dispense with number
It the smaller and less important posts greater force
also to be employed for the protection of the emf
grants tire plains. maj rity of the of
Indian depredations in Texas, which have come to
knowledge of tho Department have been by the In
diaps from the Mexican Territory. Maj. General
Smith aided by experienced officers Of rgncers, is
eeectiog sites FOR permanent Notifications tho Rio
arande one OF which will be opposite E! Psso, and
another ~ the Camanche ssing l. is the intention
u the Department that, possible, ccnsid-
erAbe force shall be sent to the Pac c cas and
Of tho bigadier Generals cf the Army ered to the
Commend. Nine companies # artillery posted in
Florida to aid the Effort in progress there to effect
the removal of the indians. Ceercivo measures to
b used II found necessary. Two regiments Of ar,sl
lsry ere to be arranged the Canadian frontier and
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, a third on tn. Rio
6ranis boundary, and fourth on the Pacific coast
Ut the cavalry regiments, one will bs required In
Texas, ore in NV Mrxco, and tho remaining are
Tor the Western frontier. A fourth regiment Of
cavalry asked Of Congress by the Secretary Three
rsmiments Of infantry required in Texas, bes
two on tho frontier vast If the Mississippi one in
New Mexico. and one in the Isdian Country of b
Pao6c. II is the purpose Of the Department to post
the troops 10 large bodies at commanding pesitsrs
instead Of dispensing them among mum .rous small
posts. Is consequence Of the difficulty Of keeping the
ranks full the Secretary proposslst increase of
the present pay Of the common Slider 3D. addi-
tousl increase fer each sve period of fve ye;r
lepg he shall remain in the army; Sd, provision
for the promotion to the lowest grades Of commission
cd officers of su:h Of the commissioned ocers If
army may he foond qualified, and by their charac
Ter and fervics entitled to, such advancement Also
that every soldier who has been benoraby DISCHARGED
from the service IF the United States, shall with
month thereafter, reenlist, shall be entitled TO
two dcllars in addition to the ordinary pay of bis
grads for the rt fvo years after tho expiration Of
his hrst enlistment and further If dollar
per mouth for each successive period Of five y,ars,
)eug ., he remain continuously in the army. The |
Secretary argues deliberately in faver of the Army,
showing the actual necessity for such measure He
recommends that the minimum organization of all
esmpanics ie fxod, 80 in the mounted femen at
sixty.four privates and that there be added to the
present military establishment, regiment Of dra
eoons and two regiments of r.fsmen. which would
give q minimum organisation of 1927 ficers and
men, which may be expended, If the limit fixed by
the law of June 7th, he contnu d to IL Ala and
war establishment, of hundred and twenty eight
privatss Der company, 27,SIS thus providing for a
state Of war effective increase of from 5000 to
u 900 men without the creation of new regiments.
General Scott recommends larger increase TIE
Secretary recommends ALEC that another company Of
sAppsrs ard miners b. added to the eng necr corps
fLEnifed State, GH-ette.