Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-06
SECRETARY OF WARS REPORT

We learn from that document that the
authorized strength of the army is I42l6:
the actual strength is only lO,745. The
ranks, however, are rapidly filling up
under the inducements offered by the law
passed the 4th of August last, increasing
the pay of the soldiers.
The troops have been kept actively EN-.
ploy ed in preserving peace among the
Indians, but the army is too small to
enable the Department to prevent or
punish outrages. In the West, several
causes conspire to render extended hos
tilities more probable, and when they
occur, more formidable. An increase of
military force is absolutely necessary.
In Texas, authority has been given to
call out militia; but the necessity is con-
slant, and the Constitution and laws in
giving the President authority to call out
militia to repel invasion and suppress in
surrection, did not design that he should
keep on foot permanent force of the kind
now required. An increase of the regu-
lar army is therefore recommended. The
recommendations for an increase in the
pay of the officers, for pensions to their
widows and children, and for retiring,
such as are disqualified for service, are
renewed.
In Florida, little has been done in re-
moving the Se,ninoles. The trade with
| the whites has been cut off, and means
arc being taken to construct roads in
their country. and acquire a thorough
knowledge of its topography, with a view
to ulterior operations should they not
peaceably remove.
The most important part of the report
is that which recommends a revision of
the laws regulating rank and command,
and fixing the organization. Much diff
Guilty arises from Brevet commissions,
giving many officers double rank; cir
cumstances determine whether the breyet
commissions shall take effect, and each
officer is to judge for himself whether the
circumstances have occurred which puts
his higher rank in force. Still greater
difficulty arises from doubts whether the
staff are entitled to command troops. So
many contradictory decisions by the
higher authority have been made, that
nothing short of legislation can regulate
the subject. With regard to brevet rank
it is proposed that it shall take effect in
no case, except when specially ordered
by the President. To propose a law as
| to the Staff regulating command, is
matter ofmuch embarrassment. On the
one hand it is manifestly improper to ex-
clude from command officers of high rank
whose duties are Of military character,
while it is scarcely less so to give the
right of commanding troops to officers
whose whole time has been devoted to
special duties separate from troops. 1t is
proposed, therefore, to break up in a
great measure the exclusive Staff corps,
and entrust their duties to officers de-
tailed from the troops.
| A concise account is given of tie re-
cent improvements in fire arms, which
are said to have increased their effective
range threefold. Experiments made by
order of the Department, have confirmed
this statement, and the opinion is ex-
pressed that smooth bored arms will
cease to be used as military weapons
No more muskets should therefore be
made; but attention should be turned to
the improved pattern.
The report on the Pacific Railroad can
not be completed for month or two yet,
and no results are yet stated; some par
ties are yet in the field, and others will
be sent out next spring.
At the Capitol, the marble work has
been retarded by deficiency of supply.
The brick work has gone so far that
the two wings will be under roof this
winter.
| The remainder of the report is occupied
with details Of minor Importance.