The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-11-05
DIR FRONTIER DEFENCEs-THE SECRETARY OF
WAR

opposition journals preexts for charging the admnisra-
ton with neglect in regard 10 frontier deences An
article Of this character appeared in the New York Courier
and Enquirer on the ls inst, which correspondent Of
that journal makes the following pertinent and conclusive
reply
Under the caption of Existing Indian Wars in the ed
toris columns of the Courier and Enquirer November ls
among structures upon the conduct of the adminra
ton with respect the military defence of the Indian from
tier, the following remarks occur
awe believe Col Bssell did report bill for raising the
regiments suggested by the Secretary of War But it
vas considered and received not the slightest favor
the hands immediate friends and representatives of the
President and cabinet In fact, the movement repud
Hted by the circle. But three months after the
Adjournment the executive organ cooly observes He 1.-THE
Secretary of War; has discharged his whole duty e the
force at has Disposal
"May the writer now ask whether is compromising
the consistency of the editorial character state, thus
doubtuHy, fact the reporting of very important
BILL which reference the congressional proceedings would
have at May he ask what is understood
editorial by the term suggested the Sec
rotary of War; in his annual report only inuis dne
the necessity for increase Of the army, but ar
oenty recommend considerable increase the present
rank and file besides the addition of one regiment OF
dragons and regiments Of rhemen and this as mint
mum force during peace Not only this but Colonel Davis
supports In bis report these recommendations with all his
known cogency of argument and used the influence which
his position as member of the cabinet and thoroughly
educated and practically successful soldier naturally gave
him with the members of the Military Committees of both
houses besides other prominent members of Congress- May
the writer whether the editors furnish the facts Of
the secret history failure of this bill Whether it
caused by determination the part of Colonel Davis
whose force of character well known to give into
system log rolling and demagogue dicaon respecting the
efficiency of the proposed regiments? May he ask whether
tho editors had heard that Colonel Be who had charge
of the military bills sick throughout the session to
the House and that he absent at the only
period the session when they could have been brought for
ward with any chance of gaining the attention of the House
and eaecting their PASSAGE
Whatever public sins Colonel Davis may have to account
for neglect of the peculiar duties of his Office nder
the interests of the service, certainly not
them. The complaint that he attempts too much
personally and does not throw upon others the responsibility
which some think should be left to them This, however, is
matter of opinion and, he alone is responsible for the
efficient management of his department, it is but fair to let
him his plans, and then Judge him by their eg
results. One thing is very certanth he is not the
to ask quarter in his present to quail
before stacks than he did before the Mexican
Buena Vista. NJ.
"WEsr PoINr, November a."
The injustice done to the Secretary of War will be still
manifest by reference to his report the
ment of the last aesson of Congress From that docu
ment we invite attention to the following extracts:
The authorized strength of the army Gas posted) is
S2l officers and but it will be by the
panyng table, prepared in the Adjutant Generals Office
from the latest returns that the actual strength is only
O4l7 OF this number 1878 employed in the frontier
departments on the route to them"
As indicated in previous part Of this report respect
fully invite your attention to the necessity for
the army. may be instructive in tho consideration
subject refer the strength of military
as existed different periods and to the
that controlled its organization
" In 1908 the legal strength of the army 9o9 which
increased early in the year 1912 fer the defence
1yo IN
after this increase and at its conclusion the peace
tabishmenR xed al $685. officers and men, and
tinued until lS2l when it reduced to Gl26 This
ganzaoa was continued until 1892 when increased
1929 In 1885 Increased to 1855 and in 1888
1919 These last additions made durng the existence
of Indian hosties (the Black Hawk and Florida war)
and although previously recommended with the pre-
venting them not authorized until their actual
had the wisdom Of the recommendation
In lsa2 at the close of the Florida war; the army
reduced sGi2 which number with slight changes
continued until in the early part of ls46 the regiment OF
mounted re added for projection of the emf
grafton the Oregon route, making the aggregate Ols
At the close u the with Mexico its organization
fixed at l0,l20. IN 1850 il was increased BY sliding
scale, which admitted total strength, if oil the com
panes of the army posted at remote stations of
73 As they posted, the authorized strength is
but for which have already been explained
the actual number is less by 1926 men.
1t will be by the above statements that period
country has been augmented less than thousand men
the period country has increased population
than eighteen millions, and in territory million of
square miles In l80S Indian frontier requiring troops
its protection less than 200 miles in extent and
there long lines of communication requiring defence
Now that frontier has increased to than 900 miles
and communications through the Indian country
ersed annually by thousands of citizens and requiring
protection, than 200 miles seaboard
md foreign frontier have been greatly increased and of the
AFTER over $500 miles Mexican frontier along which
besides the duty of guarding and protecting nhab
ants is the superadded obligation (by treaty. also pro-
ecting the inhabitants of Mexico from the Indians living
within limits. BY the annexation of Texas the ac
1uon of New Mexico and California our Indian
been increased from 240 900 very
arge portion of whom predatory and warke in their hab
for the first time brought into wi tn peo
pie the result of this is state of continued disturbance
been the policy of government by grants of land
emption rights induce the rapid settlement of our
wds The thus produced between
The the proneness of the Indian maraud and
he whites to inrude upon the Indian lands constant
collision. Aggressons the part of either lead
alation, which unfortunately falls far more frequent
upon the innocent and uhoendng than upon guilty
md retaliation leads to To repress
roops must be collected from different points, transport
ID difficult and expensive routes the scene of tn.
roubles the militia Of the country be called out
either heavy expenditures without considering the
arrangement of business and the loss life and property
he consequence In the time other portions of tb.
ronter stripped of the troops required for defence
md this weakness invites aggression renders new
Of troops and renewed expenditures for
heir suppression As the natural consequence this
expenditures of the army very great in proportion
trength reasonable increase Of the army it did not
ntirey prevent these disturbances would least diminish