Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-13
SECRETARY or WARS REPORT.

The annual repor, Of Col. Jefferson Ds-
Wis, Secretary Of War, 10 an interesting, ba-
siness-like document, snd makes many i'm.
porisni Recommendations, 10 order 20 give
increased efficiency 10 The important branch
Of the public service over which be presldes
We annex a brief abstract
The actual strength Of the army IS only
ten thousand seven hundred and foriy-hye
The whole authorized strength is fourteen
thousand Two hundred and sixteen. The
deficiency isfasi decreasing by more rapid
1 enllstments. A statement of the changes
made ia The distribution Of the army during
last year is gwen.
TIE removal from Florida ofthe remnan,
Of the Seminoles, has received The attention
| Of the department. but It's efforts have not
been very successful. Better fortune is ex
pected mex. year, through the instrumental
liy Of The new plan OF operations. The In
! dian difficulties else where are alluded to-
The massacre 81 Lieut.. Grafton and men by
the Sioux is narrated, and he isci stated
that The army force is quite inadequate TO
The protection of our frontiers and 10 pun
ish Indian aggressions. Our entire loss in
Indian actions during the year is four Off
GERS and sixty three men killed and fonr
officers aud forty-two men wounded. The
Occurrences on The frontier furnish deplora
! bIe proofs Of the iosuficiency OF our militia
~ force. and Of The absolute necessity for
lis lncreaae, which was urged BY the Secre.
iary last year.
Our effective force does lot exceed elev-
en- thousand men, which is entirely made
quale for the purposes for which We main
tain a standing army. Its immediate in
crease is urged. at a cost sufficient 10 give
some degree OF security TO the Indian fion.
tiers, for which services the regular force is
the most efficient, cheap. proper and cons,i.
"iuiional means. The increased pay to en-.
listed men induced the enlistment of ,GG5
men 10 October and September last, against
800 men during The corresponding months
las years. The number Of recruits required
for The service oiibe ensuing year will pro-
baby not be less than 6 600. He recon-.
mends the use Of camels aud d~rumedares
for military purposes again and asks an APP
preparation TO lest heir usefulness. An in
creased pay for officers is urged as an act of
justice and necessity. Additional legisia-
ton is asked TO place The widows and or.
plans and soldiers Of the army on an eqesli-
ty with the widows and orphans Of The off
GERS and soldiers Of the navy.
The necessity OF r%eyisioo of our military
legislation in some important particulars is
pointed out. 10 order 10 prevent conflicting
claims in regard 10 rank and command.
u,b.,b - NJ q q rico - ~ ~ ~ ;,cop Is a n,a,c
and trouble. Doe great source of difficulty
is the double rank recognized by our laws
to remedy this it is proposed TO give effect
10 breyet rank only when the President may
see fiji, and forbid the exercise of orevei
commissions in the regimen, troop, or COM
pany where officers are mustered. Elabo.
Ia,e Suggestions for reorganization OF the
staff corps are presented, and compared with
European systems. 1t is proposed that
there nine Btigadler Generals; one for each
department; one for Qlariermaster General.
one for Adjutant General, and two for H.
spectors General, being an addition oil three
TO those who now by br.vet or otherwise,
have rank and com nand as Brigadier Gen.
erals. Other marked chsnges in staff APP
pointmenls, rank and duty are purposed.
Reforms in the organization OF regiments
are also suggested. The expediency Of gen.
erai promotions by seniority INSTEAD of mer-
it, is doubted by the Secretary; and the es-
adjustment Of a retired list again urged -
Professorships Of ethics, and Of English stu.
dies, at the military academy, are recon.
mended.
Many other subjects are treated Of a, con
siderable length,