Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-01-05
Official Reports.
Report Of the Secretary of War.

RcpOrt Of the Secretary Of War
Thus document states that the author
ized strength of The U. s. Army to b,
1881 men ant officers; but the actua
strength. according to the latest returns
Is only All, of which number S,37s
are .emF Floyed in the frontier de partme mis-
or are now on their way to them. II.
says, further, that the measures taken fol
the protection of our frontiers have beer
successful: that the troops every where
had been actively and constantly employ.
ed; thai lndian depredations have been
comparatively unfrequeni, and. except in
California and Oregon, have no, attain.
ed more than local importance. New
posts are TO be established in the Indian
country in more favorable positions, to
enable the Department to dispense with
a number of the smaller and less impor.
tant posts. A greater force is also to
be employed for The protection of emf
grants crossing the plains. A majority
OF The cases of Indian depretations in
Texas which have come to the knowl.
edge OF the Department, have been BY
Indians from Mexican territory. Mai.
General Smith, aided by an ex Experienced
otiicer OF engineers. !s selecting sites for
permanent fortificaIions on the Rio
Grande, one of which will be opposite
I'll Paso, and another at the Camanche
crossing. is the intention of the De.
par'meni that, as soon as possible a con-
siderable force shall be sent to the Pacific
coast, and one Of the Brigadier Generals
OF The Army ordered to the command.
Nine companies of artillery are posted
IN Florida TO aid the effort now in pro.
gress there TO effect the removal of The
Indians. Coerceiye measures are to be
used If found necessary. Two of the
regiments of artillery are to be arranged
on The Canadian frontier and Atlantic
and Gull coasts, a third on the Rio
Trande boundary. and fourth on The
Pacific coast. OF the cavalry regiments
aae will be required in Texas, one in Y.
WesternHpd the remaining are for the
cavalry is asked orA fourth regiment of
retary. Three regiments or by the Sec
required in Texas, besides two on are
frontier west of the Mississippi, one in
New Mexico. and one in the Indian
country of the Pacific. liis the purpose OF
Department to post troops in large bodies
at commanding positions, instead of dis.
persing them among numerous smaller
posts. In consequence of this Difficult
ty Of keeping the ranks full, the Secre
tary proposes-lst, an increase of tie
present pay of the common soldier; 3D.
an additional increase for each successive
period OF five years, 50 long as be >siial
remain in the Army; Sd, provision fol
the promotion to the loves, grades "i
commissioned officers ofsuch of The non.
commissioned officers of the army as
may be found qualified for, and by their
character and service entitled TO, such
advancement. Also, that every soldier
who having been honorably discharged
from the service of the United States
shall, within one month thereafter, re. en-.
list, shall be entitled to two dollars pei
month, in addition to the ordinary pay o
his grade for the FIRST period of five years
after the expiration of his first ins,allmeh
and further sum Of one dollar per month
for each successive period Of five years
SO long as he shall remain continuously
in the Army. The Secretary argues e
laboratelv in favor of The increase of The
Army, showing the actual necessity fol
such measure. He recommends tha
the minium of all organization of com
panies be fixed. as in the mounted rifle.
men, at 64 privates, and there be addet
to the present military establishment, one
regimen, Of dragons and two regimen,
riAemen, which would give a minimum
organization of l5.52s officers and men
which may be expanded. If the limi. fix
ed by the law of June 7th, 1850, be con
iinued to l7,4l4, and on war establish
ment. l2s per company, to 27,sls, thu.
providing for state Of war an effective
increase of from 10000 to $4,000 mel
without the creation of new regiments
The Secretary recommends also, tha
another company of sappers and miner
be added 10 the engineer corps.