New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-15
Ns,u:11ork DAILY Gribnare
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
INCREASE OF TIE ARMY.

To Ne Editor Of Tie y. y 7ri5uas
SIR: The United States Army consists at present of
fifteen regiments, divided as follows; OF Dragons
two regiments Of Artillery four regiments, Mounted
Rifle ore regiment and OF Infantry eight regiments
giving total Of 81 men There is also a company
of Sappers and Miners stationed at West Point. This
small force is expected TO keep in repair various forti-
fcatons on our sesbOsrd, and also, and by far tho
most d,ilo ult task protect western frontiers
and the small settlements along borders, guard
the main routes of travel TO Oregon and California.
ard in tact to keep IN subsection tae numerous tribes
of Indians which rove over western prares, ready
to pounce upon any unfortura traveller or unTary
settler who by circumstances or distance from settle
merits may prove easy prey 10 their unexpected
attack Not only do our "ploueers of civilization
suffer from their attacks in which the loss OF property
and total destruction Of Improvements the least that
be expected tut so bold have these Indians be-
come Of late that on more tnan one occasion wltsn
the last few months United States troops have suffered
severely from their attacks. The great enigrGnt
routes to California and Oregon by land, have be-
come noted for the daring assaults Of the Comanches
Apacbee and other tribes. California Oregon, ItE-
az and New-Msxico. are the scenes oi conflict be-
tween the soldiers and Indians, aud It s common
remark among those whose experience IN such mat
teis entities their opinions 10 favorable confederation
"tbat the Indians are not only growing holder. but
are lesrDiDg how 10 fight and this Is absolutely the
fact. Bv frequent contact with our troops in Skin
mshes they last losing the impression of their in
yncibity in battle and begctting confidence in them
selves ana the small parties that are usually sent out
in pursuit Of Indians and until we have more troops
il cannot be helped are apt, from their very paucty
Cf numb ers 70 induce an attack and, as lnolans al.
ways attack in superior numbers, these parties are
either defeated g find themselves too weak 20 profit
by the oppOrtunly to chastse the sayages, which Is
not by any means thing Of frequent occurrence.
In Texas the depredStiOns of the indians have OF
late been so frequent that Il large force OF Noun-
the state by the Governor. for the protection OF her
citizens cuty which the General Government IS I'M
able 10 perform from want OF troops. Tor several
wears past the attention OF Government officers has
been dirt cited the subject OF controlling the In
oians within our borders, and various e1pedents have
been IT sorted TO TO attain that cad AT times It has
been absolutely necessary TO call into service, for
short period of time, bodies OF volunteer troops,
mounted rangers armed with the rife 10 prevent
their inroads Infantry companies have al times been
furnished with horses. and required to perform tue
duty Of cavalry soldiers, armed with musket ana
baIonet If any person doubithe ineficency OF such
troop. lei him mount horse and find what diff culty
he has in carrying musket not taking into consider
alton the efficient OF the weapon on horseback.
IL in addition YOU consider that many men enlist IN
Infantry roeimesis, because they cannot ride, you
can arrive al toerably us conclusion as TO the re-
suit Of an encounter between such troops AMI tue
Conanches and Apaches, rePufed 10 DE the beau dea
of borsemen. Still in spite OF the dI advantages De-
fore mentioned our moutec infantry deserve great
deal of crecii The zeal of oficers and men mace up
in some measure tor the want Of proper equipment
and dru. Tns was found TO operate badly. orcers
and men naturally became dissatisfied al Not receiv-
ing the pay OF cavalry. ana il was abandoned Indian
depr. obtons continued the troops we're posted IN the
midst of the Indians and scouting parties both mount
al and on foot Kept up 70 tar a. possible comnlcs
ton betwe. the different posts, and all iLat 20 ie"
men could do va. cOre, without hsrc!y caeckins Tue
indians Citizens petitiOue1 tier GoVernors Tor pro-
,ect;ou and GoverrOrs refeued the naiier u the
General Government which, anxious to sAord relei'
WIS unable 70 60 so for want OF iroSps-snc tous max
tors s,er az the preseli time Nobody can 1thy as1
our present Secretary of War has not done ali N nus
uog er 10 psc the Army upon such i0ctaS : "oun
,ble Coverrnf NJ seod troops 10 protect her clIl-
1,,s rom Indian cepreostions he UTgec iae suoJec,
in his las: annual report and WIKI tie CONVICTION OF
- Necessity a an iucrlsse asked Con yress for An
increase Of TWO T. glments Of Rinemen aud one OF
Dragons. -
OF ihoushtle-. II = not necessary 20 refer 20 our
-is,ous iih foreign na,iCns, which may wei cause
eyerv pru6ent han sBC lover OF M country honoi
10 a,ub.r that II Is beet ~ tone Of PeASs pre-
.uare fer var. but Il lie VII but gis-ce owe. we
an ~ look 80 the extent Of coantry {" be protect
90. ard ihns of tie DuubeT OF cetenseless citizen.
seattervc along our froni.er aud our lslre eG- scs
fout.s. eUs ten compare tie force OF ne l ANeI
States with Whist they are required 70 PetIo9lii
,tirk thar even the most stn nu0us oppo-rt Ol
standing army III Acknowledge tn.I L HOis
than can DC expected from oar smal army 49,.
S;r,s IL a with Mexico larst Gl9G Et 81 TERRI
~, les h. N aided which Is inhabited by NJ ner'us
f-iilts or Indians, with many Of whom ''S"S9 =.
fdepdship have been made time ano asa,o' ou' O.H
IA he broken b. them on the nrsi iay'Fe'.s Po't
nv Esoe.is.ca has proved that physlcal io'c. -
- ,.aatfeui Ito griatless and tbs the toy
INIT carr no. employ for wani vt soldera lness
,,,l,s roam over Cur Western posse ssIons II %.
r,txe 9 i0u. = y c0-i.lr- 10 power uA'--s sI'I
ilsr ,lersc.y.s. ald NATURAL! .-'1is YAH -''--