Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-12-18
Report of the Secretary OF War.

The actual strength OF TIE Army is only tsn
thousand seven hundred and forty FIVE. The
whole authorised strength is fourteen thousand
two hundred and sixteen. The deficiency Is
tast decreasing by more rapid enlislmeuts. A
statement oil the changes made IN tho distttlfi-
lion OF the afrny during last year Is made.
The removal from Florida OF slse reranaa, OF
tho Seminoies, has received the atlention CT The
Department, but its efforts have mol been very
successful. Better fortune is expected next
year, through the insrumentality oil lhe new
plan Of opera;ions The Indian difficulties else
whore are alluded to. The massacre OF Lieut..
Grafton and men by the Sioux is narrated, and
the fact stated, thai the army urce is quite in
adequate 10 the protection Of our frontier and 10
punish knJian aggress.ons. Our entire loss in
Indian actions during The yesr rs ivar officers
and sixty three men killed, ant. iour officers and
foyty-two men wounded the occurrences on the
frontier furnished deploiable proofs oiihe ifsal-
fciency of our military force, sud OF the abse.
lue necessity OF It's increase, which WAS Urged
bv the Secretary las; year Our effective toiee
does not exceed eleven thousand men. which Is
entirely inadequate Ser the purposes for hich
we maintain a standing army. Ess immedial-
increase is nrgeds al acost sufficient To give
some degree q! security 10 the Indian frontiers,
for which parpose the ,egwlar foIee is tie more
ef1ieien' cheap, propeland conslltG,onas means.
TIE Increased pay 10 enlisted men .idoced the
enlistment of / Jos men in October and Seplem.
Der las, against 800 men during the months las,
year Yhe number re ,ralts repaired for the GER.
vice Of the ensuing year will probably not be
less than 6 600. He recommends the use OF
camels and boundaries for military purposes
again and asks an appropriation 10 les useful,
ness An increased pay of officers is urged as
an act Of justice and necessity Additional le-
gislaiion is asked 10 place the widows ard or
phans Of the officers and s,ldrers OF The army
on an eausliy " it'll the officers anJ soldiers tt
the navy,
The necessity OF a revision q military ieeis.,.
ton In some important particulars IS pointed oui,
in order 10 prevent oussicting claims in reead
to rank aud command, which now give rise to
mach Inconvenience aud trouble. One great
source Of difficulty is The double rank recognised
by our LAWS 10 remedy that il IS proposed 10
give etfec, TO brevel rank only When lhe Ples.
dent may see fiji, and forbid the exercise OF bre-
vel commissioners in the reefm ell, toop, or
where officers are mnslered. Elabo-
rate suggestions for reorganization Of the staff
corps gre sresen,et. and compared with Euro
pean systems. II is ffcpcsta ,hat there be time
BIlsadler Generals one icr eaeh Department )
one for Quar,ermasler General, one for Riirtaui
General, and two for Inspectors. General ;teing
any Sddiion OF three toy ,lose who now, bv Bre
vet or other wise, fad rank and cnmmand us
Brieadieis Generals. O.her marked changes in
staff appointments rank and deiy are proposed,
Performs in the organization OF reeimeu,s are
also suggested Yks espedlency nj general pro
motions ty seniofii, instead of meril is BY the
Secretary and the establishment oil retired
list again urged. Protessorships of Ethics and