The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-15
Secretary of Wars Report.

The annual report OF Col. Jefferson Davis, Sec.
retary OF War, is az interesting. business-ke
document, and makes many important recommen-
important branch of the public service over W hch
he presides. We annex brief abstract:
The actual strength of the army is only ten
thousand hundred and forty-five The
whole authorized strength is fourteen thousand
two hundred and sixteen. The deficiency is fas,
decreasing by more rapid enIisments. state.
ment of the changes made in the distribution o
the army during last year is given.
The removal from Florida of the remnant Of The
Seminoles, has received the attention Of the de-
partment, but lis efforts have not been very sue
cessful. Better fortune is expected next year,
through the fundamentally Of the new plan oil
Operations. The Indian difficulties elsewhere
alluded to. The massacre OF Lieut.. Grafton
and men by The Sioux is narrated, and the fact
stated that the army force is quiet inadequate to
the protection OF our frontiers and 10 punish Indian
aggressions Our entire loss in Indian actions
during the year is four officers and sixty. three
men killed and four officers and forty.lwo men
wounded. The occurrences on the frontier fur
nsh deplornbe proofs of The n~uf1iciency OF our
military force, AMI of the absolute necessity for
rs increase, which was urged by the Secretary
last year.
Our effective force does not exceed eleven thou.
sand men, which is entirely inadequate for the
purposes for which we maintain a standing army
lis immediate Increase is urged, at cost sufficient
10 give some degree of security to the Indian from.
tiers, for which services the regular force is the
most efficient, cheap, proper and constitutional
means. The increased pay 10 enlisted men induc-
ed the enlistment Of l ,OO5 men in October and
September last, against 800 men during the cor.
responding months last year. The number of
recruits required for the service Of the ensuing
year will probably not be less than 5000. He
recommends the of camels and dromedaries
for military purposes again, and asks appro-
pration 10 test their usefulness. An increased
pay for officers is urged an &c, Of Justice and
necessity. Additional legislation is asked to place
the widows and orphans Of the officers and sol.
diers of the army on an equality with The widows
and orphans OF the officers and soldiers of the
navy.
The necessity of a revision ofour military leg.
isalon in some important particulars is pointed
out. in order to prevent conflicting claims in
gard TO rank and command, which now give rise
10 much inconvenience and trouble. One great
source Of difficulty is the double rank recognized
by our laws to remedy this it IS proposed to give
effect TO brevet rank only when the President may
see I'll, and forbid the exercise Of 5revet commis-
sIons in the regiment, troop, o. company where
officers are mustered. Elaborate suggestions for
reorganization Of the staff corps are presented.
and compared with European systems. II is pro.
posed that there be nine Brigadier Generals; one
Tor each department; one Tor Quartermaster Gen
erai one for Adjutant General, and two for IN
spectors General being an addition OF three to
those who now, by brevet or otherwise, have rank
and command as Brigadier Generals. Other
marked changes in staff appointments, rank and
duty are proposed.
Reforms in the organization Of regiments are
also suggested The expedency of general pro.
motions by seniority, instead of merit, is doubted
by the Secretary and the establishment of re-
tired list again urged. Professorshps of ethics,
and of English studies, at the military academy,
are recommended.
Many other subjects treated Of at consider
able length.