The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-15
REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
We copy from The N. York Tribune the
following abridgemenls Of The reports OF
the heads OF the Departments at Washing
REPORT FROM ruR WAR DEPARTMENT.

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REPORT FROM TnR WAR DEPARTMENT.
Tho actual strength of tho Army is only
l0.745. Tho whole authorized strength Is
1926. The deficiency Is fast decreasing by
moro rapid enlistments. A statement is
given of the changes made in tho distribution
Of the army during last year. Tho removal
from Florida Of the remnant oi the Seminoles
has received tho attention of tho Depart.
ment; but its efforts have not been very sue.
cessful. The Indian difficulties elsewhere
are alluded to. The massacre Of Lieut.. Graf.
ton and men by the Sioux is narrated, and
the fact stated that the nrmy force is quite
inadequate TO the protection Of our frontier
and TO punish Indian aggressions. Our en-
tire loss in Indian actions during the year is
four officers and sixty three men killed, and
four officers and forty.two men wounded
The occurrences on the frontier furnish dc.
plorable proofs Of the inefliciency of our
military force, and of the absolute necessity
for its Increase, which was urged by The Sec.
retary last year. Our effective force does
not exceed IL 900 men. which is entirely
inadequate for the purposes for which We
maintain standing army. It's immediate
increase is urged, ut cost sufficient to give
some degree Of security to tho Indian from.
tiers, for which purpose the regular force is
the most efficient, cheap, proper, and cons'i.
tutional means. The increased pay to en-
listed mon induced the enlistment Of ] ,005
men in October and September last, against
800 men during tho corresponding months
last year. The number of recruits required
for tho service Of the ensuing year will
probably not be less than G000. IIe rec.
ommends the use of camels and dromeda.
ries for military purposes again, and asks
an appropriation to test their usoiulness.-
An increased pay for officers Is urged as an
act Of justice and necessity. Additional
legislation is asked to place the widows and
orphans of the officers and soldiers Of the
army on an equality with tho willows and
orphans Of the officers and soldiers Of
tho Navy. The necessity Of revision
Of our military legislation in some i'm.
portant particulars Is pointed out, in order
to prevent conflicting claims in regard to
rank and command, which now give rise to
much Inconvenience and trouble. One great
source of difficulty Is the double rank rccog
nizcd by our laws; to remedy this, It Is pro.
posed to give effect to brevet rank only when
the President may see 6t, and forbid the OK.
erciso Of breyet commissions in the rcgi.
ment, troop, or company, where officers arc
mustered. Elab,ra suggestions for roor.
ganisation Of the staff corps are presented,
and compared with European systems. u
is proposed that there DO nine Brigadier
Generals, one Tor each department, one for
Quartermaster General. ono for Adjutant
General, and two for Inspectors General
being an addition Of three to those who
now, by brevet or otherwise. have rank and
command as Brigadier Generals. 0sher
marked changes ia stat appointments, rank
and duty. are proposed. Reforms in the or.
yaniz,tion Of regiments are alsp suggested.
The expcdicncy Of general promotions by
seniority instead Of merit Is doubted by tho
Secretary, and the establishment Of q retired
list a.,ii, urged. Professorships of ethics
and Of Enslish stnlics at tho Military Ac.
ademy aro recommended.
REPORT or THE SECRETARY or Ing HAyy.
Tho Secretary Of the Navy recommends
an additional, but gradual incsea.e Of tho
Navy: its reorganization, and the enact.
ment Of now regulations for the discipline
and improvement Of seamcn. The move.
monts OF tho various squadrons aro reported
in detail. Tho sloop-of.war Albany was
last heard from ut Aspinwall, on the 2sth
September, when she left Cor New York.
Painful anxiety is fclt touching her hto.-
The steamer Princeton was sent in scarcl!
Of her several days since. Lieut.. Strain and
party arc complimcntcd for enterprise; anu
exhibition OF powers Of endurance and sen,,
crous devotion TO duty In tho exploration ..
the Daricn Ship Canal route. Tho result
arrived ut Is that tho proposed canal Is TO-
tally impracticablo and this, the Secretary
upprcbends, settles tho question forever =
Tho bombardmens Of Grcytown by the
sloop-oewur Cyanc, is narrated, and indi-
rcctIy approved Commodore Perry is
highly coinplcm,ntcd for his success in Jap.
an. Tho Secrt tary does not propose TO in.
crease the number Of officers, nor material.