The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-22

The actual strength Of the army Is mi,
1925. The whole authorized strength
Is 1926. The deficiency is fast decreasing
Is fast decreasing by more rapid enlist.
ilnents. A statement of the changes made
IN the distribution Of the army during The
last year is made.
The removal from Florida of the remnan.
OF the Seminoles, has received the attention
OF tho department, but its efforts have aG
been very successful. Better fortune
expected next year, through the insirumea.
tailty Of The new plan of operations. The
Indian difficulties elsewhere are alluded To-
The massacre of Lieutenant Grattsn and
men by the Sioux is narrated, and the fac
stated, that the army force is quite indie
quate to the protection OF our frontier add
to punish Indian aggressions. Our onls
loss In Indian actions during the ycus
four officers and sixty-tlree men killed,
and four officers and foriy-two wounded
The occurrences on the frontier furnish
deplornble proofs of the inefficiency Of our
military force, and Of the absolute neccs.
siiy Tor Its increase, which was urged by
the Secretary last year Our effective
force does not exceed 1900 men, which
Is entirely Inadequate for the purposes ior
which we maintain standing army. An
immediate increase Is urged, at cost SAL
ficlent to give some degree Of security TO
the Indian frontiers. for which purpose tho
regular.forcc is the most efficient, cheap,
proper and constitutional means. The 10
creased pay TO enlisted men, induced The
enlistment Of ,006 men IN October and
September last, against 800 men during
the corresponding months last year. The
number OF recruits required for the scrlcs
OF Tho ensuing year will not be less than
COCO. lie recommends the use of camea
and dromedaries for military purposes sgala
and asks an appropriation 10 test Their use
iulness. An Increased pay for Officers
urged MS an act Of justice and necesssT
Additional Legislation Is asked to place ~
widows and orphans of the officers and ~
diers OF the army on an equality with ne
widows and orphans of the officers andso'
dies Of the navy.
The necessity Of revision Of our mill
tary legislation In some important psrieo-
lars. Is pointed out, in order to prevent CON
hicting cla'n' IN regard 10 rank and CON.
mand, which now give rise 10 much neon'
venience and trouble. One great source
Of difficulty IL the double rank recognized
by our laws 10 remedy this II is proposed
TO give effect 10 brevct rank only wheo the
President may sec fit, and forbid the eIel'
else OF brevet commissions in the regiment
troop or company where officers are nus
tered. Elaborate suggestions FOR re-ofg'A,
ization Of the staff corps are presented aDd
compared with European systems. II .
proper That there be nine Brigadiet Gene
rails; one for each department Doc ioi
Quartennaster General one for AdlgiAm
General, and two for Inspectors General
being an addition Of three 10 those 'b,
now, by breyet or otherwise, have rsnL ,na
command as Bfigadier Generals. ois1
marked changes IN staff appoinimshi' ''N,
and duty, are proposed. -.
Reforms in the organization Of Iegh.eD
are also proposed. The erpetienel n
general promotions by seniority iiis'sal
merit, is doubted by tb1Seeretary iSne "a
establishment Of a retired list agnin ufEes
Pfofessorships Of Ethics and u hngD,
stadies at the Military Academy are fee'"
DeBded.
Many other subjects are treated o.
considerable length ~ y. 1'mf'