The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-09
NATIONAL DEF ENCES.
Report Of the Secretary OF War.


of The operations the army for the past year and to
Law before you the reports of the Commanding General
and OF the heads OF the several bureaus Of the War De
partment.
The authorized strength of the army las now postea
Is Ii 2l6 officers and men, but the tables
prepared the Adjutant Generals Office show that at
the date OF the last returns tie actual strength
only 10. 745 This differ ence, however between the
thorized aud actual strength the army is fast disp
pearng under the operation of the law of the Sth of
August last to increase the pay OF the rank and file Of
the army and to encourage enlstments"
The general distribution of the army is nearly the
Same as shown in my last report The most important
changes Will be briefly noticed TIL Third Artillery has
been reorganized since the wreck of the steamer san
tancsco and six companies sent TO the achc ma tue
sthmus OF Panama Two of the companies OF that reg
ment md detachment OF recruits FOR companies OF
dragons serving in the department Of the Pachc have
been sent by the overland route for toe purpose OF ex
erciaing salutay influence over the Indians inhabitng
the country through which they will pass and holding
account tribe implicated in the massacre of Capt
Gnnnson' party. They will winter in the Great Salt
Lake Valley and proceed 10 their destination in the
spring SIX companies Of the Second Infantry have been
and all posted in the department
OF the West. The remaining companies of that regi
ment viii be sent to the department
their organization ia completed. The Sixth Infantry
has been ordered to the department Of the Pacific
Six companies OF the regiment are concentrated
at Jefferson Barracks by of the lsthnus, and
Others which also under orders for Jefferson Bar
racks have been sent TO Fort Laramie in Of
the difficulties that recently occurred in that vicinity
The remaining companies at Forts Kearney and La
ranie viii be TO their destination spring by the
overland routes, IL continuation of the Indian difficult
ties in that quarter should not interfere with this nten
ton The headquarters and two companies OF the first
dragons have been transferred TO the department of
Mexico replaced in the department of the West
by companies Of the second dragoonss from New
Mexico The troops the Indian frontier of Florida
have recently reinforced by two companies of
-illery drawn from the Atlantic coast Some other
changes impor ha also been made
view OF eectng greater concentration of the troops
The removal from Florida of the remnant Of the Semi
pole tribe, who in violation OF the treaty have con
tnued TO occupy the southern par; OF that State has
received the constant attention OF the Department. but
from peculiar crcuVtances the efforts directed to this
object been attended with but little II is,
uowever believed that better results may be anticipated
in the ensuing year. The troops have taken line Of
observation Which greatly contracts Vhe limits of the
territory occupied by the Indians and is proposed to
make expeditions through the region where they have
hitherto remained securely concealed BY opening roads
the of boats adapted to the navigation of the
lakes swamps and bayous which have hitherto enabled
them TO eude pursuit (ncludinga small steamer,
commended by the Quarternaster General the depart
ment expects acquire accurate knowledge of the
country, and to impress them with the conviction of
their inability to escape from resist the power OF the
United States. Measures have been taken to cut of
their trade and TO make them feel the great inconve
nence which will attend an attitude Of defiance their
part towards this government. By these means 1t is
hoped the Indians may be peaceably removed to the
home provided for them Of the Mississippi and the
claim Of Florida to be relieved from their presence be
speedily answered. Should this hope not be fulfilled
the above referred to the proper and most
efficient steps preliminary to active operations for their
removal by force.
In other military departments the Indians have
repeatedly into collision with troops. Depre
dations upon frontier inhabitants and upon emf.
grants passing through the Indian country have BEEN
and are still Of frequent occurrence In the Depart
men of tho West besides the depredatons committed
by smaller tribes hostlities have occurred with the
Sioux Indians, the most powerful and warike tribe Of
the Northwest In Texas they have been so frequent
aud OF threatening character that it considered
necessary TO authorize the commander Of that depart
ment 10 call upon the Governor Of that State, from time
to time, exgencies might arise for such volunteer
force might be required 10 repel Indian ncursions
In New Mexico serious hosttes repressed by the
prompt and energetic action OF the troops employed
there but depredaons upon the inhabitants st of
occasional occurrence and in the Department OF the
Gently been perpetrated parties OF emigants teic
way TO California and Oregon To repress such disor
ders the troops have been actively and constantly
ployed and in the arduous and HARVESTING duties that
have devolved them, have exhibited q gallantry,
zeal and devotion that merit the favorable notice OF the
government. The details OF these operations will be
found IN the report transmitted herewith.
During the past year the Sioux Indians have com
mitted many deprsdatsns upon the property Of the
emgrans passing Fort Laramie, the route to Oregon
and Utah. On the 10Th Of August Lieutenant Gratan,
" the sixth nfanry was sent BY the commander of that
post with thirty to arrest offender. This entire
detachment massacred by the In ans, with the
pepon OF one man. who escaped severely wounded, and
subsequently died. The circumstances of this affair
were first involved in much obscurity, but authentic
details have since proved that the the
suit Of deliberately formed plan, prompted by know
ledge OF the weakness Of the garrison at Fort Laramie
by temptation plumber the large quantity of bile
and private stores accumulated at and near that post
The number of Indians engaged IN this afair was be-
tween ], 500 and 1000.
regre. that IT has not been in the power of the de-
partment to concentrate the troops in sufficient
to prevent and all cases punish these disorders.
The circumstances of the service have been such and
fo van al troops in all sections Of the country SO
great that the concentration would have exposed por
ti0us of the frontier TO Indian hostiities without any
projection whatever Every favorable opportunity will
be taAen to post the troops in commanding positions
from which they can exercise supervision of the
Indian country and operate 10 the best advantage The
Il the past year have furnished examples
OF the necency of small posts. Our entire loss in the
several actions with the Indians during the has
been four officers and sixty three men killed. and four
officers and forty two men wounded
While the occurrences frontier, and in the
Indian territory gratifying evidences of the zeal
and devotion Of the troope they also furnish deplorable
proofs Of the insuciency Of military force, and the
absolute necessity of the increase, which il duty
to urge in my last annual report again solicit aten
ton to this subject aud IN doing must repeat, to
some extent, what was then urged
For military purposes. the territory of the United
States is divided into Eve geographical commands
l. The Department OF the East embracing all the
country east of the Mississippi river This department
800 miles Of board SEQ miles of foreign and
about 200 miles Of Indian frontier. OF the fifty perma
nent Notifications and barracks on the Lake, Atlantic
and Gulf coasts now comIlesed or nearly SO, ana 10,
establishments which they cover, only eleven now
garrsoned, leaving the remainder exposed to sudden
unexpected attack from any naval power The total
force this department at the date OF the last returns
only 574 officers and and Of this number 500
are employed on the Indian frontier OF Florida.
2 The Department OF the West includes the country
between the Mississippi river and the Rocky mountains
except the Departments OF Texas and New Mxeco. II
has board. foreign and Indian frontier Of 2 400
miles, 600 miles Of routes through the Indian country
constantly traversed by emgrants on their way to Utah.
Indian population of COO large proportion of whom
are in feeling hostile and many of them at this
time actively The total force in the department at
the date Of the last returns ss5 officers and men
g. The Department Of Texas nearly the whole Of that
State board frontier not YET protected by for
tfcaons of 400 miles, foreign and Indian frontier Of
nearly 1000 miles and through the In
dian country of than 200 miles The Indian po
pulson IL estimated at 30 900, nearly all Of whom
,omadc and predatory; and the western and northern
frontiers of the State exposed 10 constant nroads
Rom the Indians Of Mexico and the plains. The force
AZ thp d. n he last
kS86 officers and men.
4. The Department OF New kexico.-This department.
las Indian and foreign frontier OF 500 miles,
,caons tbrou the Indian country or than thou
sand miles Indian population Of so 600, grea
proportion Of whom bands whs do not acknowledge
the authority of the United States The force in this
depar at the date OF the last returns sol
officers and
The Department Of the Pacific, embracing the State
OF CALIFORNIA; and the Territories Of Oregon, Washington
and Ctah and part Of the Territory OF New Mexico
This department has sea board frontier of 500 miles