Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-07

The annual report Of Col Jefferson Davis. Sec
rotary OF War y an interesting, businesslike doc
ument, and makes many important recommenda-
Tons IN order 70 give increased efficiency to the
important branch OF the public service over which
he presides We annex brief extract:
The actual strength Of the army Il only ten
thousand seven hundred and forty-fye. The
whole authorized strength Is fourteen thousand two
hundred and sixteen. The deficiency is fast de-
creasing by more rapid enistments. statement
of the changes made in the distribution Of the ar.
my during last year is given
The removal from Florida Of the remnant of the
Seminoes has received the attention Of the depart
ment, but its efforts have not been very successful
Better fortune is expected next year, through the
fundamentally of the new plan of operations.
The Indian difficulties elsewhere are alluded to.
The massacre OF Lieutenant Grafton and men by
the Sioux is narrated and the fact stated that the
army force ID quite inadequate to the protection of
our frontiers and to punish Indian aggressions.
Our entire loss In Indian actions during the year,
is four officers and sxty-thfee killed. and four
officers and forty-two men wounded. The occur
rences on the frontier furnish deporable proofs of
the nsuficiency Of our military force, and Of the
absolute necessity for its increase, which urged
by the Secretary last year.
Our effective force does not exceed eleven thou
sand men, which is entirely inadequate for the
purposes for which we maintain a standing army.
Its immediate increase Is urged at cost sufficient
to give some degree of security to the Indian from
tiers, for which services the regular force is the
most efficient, cheap, proper and constitutional
means. The increased pay to enlisted men induced
the enlistment Of l,005 men in October and Sep
TENDER last, against 500 men during the CORE
spending months last year. The number Of recruits
required for the service Of the ensuing year will
probably not be less than 6,000 He recommends
the Of cames and dromedaries for military pur-
usefulness. An increased pay for officers is urged
as act of justice and necessity. Additional le-
gslation il asked to place the widows and orphans
Of the officers and soldiers of the army on an
equality with the widows and orphans of the OFF,
GERS and soldiers of the navy.
The necessity of revision of our military legis-
aton in some important 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 recognised by our
laws to remedy this it is proposed to give effect
to brevet rank only when the President may see
fit, and forbid the exercise of brevet commissions
in the regiment troop, or company where officers
are mustered. Elaborate suggestions for reorgan-
ization of the staff corps are presented and com
pared with European systems II is proposed that
there be nine brigader generals one for each de-
partment; one for quartermaster general, one for
adjutant general, and two for inspectors general
being an addition of three to those who now, by
breyet or otherwise, have rank and command as
brigadier generals. Other marked changes in staff
appointments, rank and duty are proposed.
Reforms in the organization Of regiments arc
also suggested. The expediency Of general pro-
motions by seniority, instead Of merit, is doubted
by the Secretary; and the establishment of re-
tired list again urged Professorships Of ethics,
and Of English studies, at the military academy, are
recommended.
Many other subjects are treated of at consider
able length