The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-12-27
Uatietp.
Secretary Of war; Report.

I SON@Ss6y "a E
The annual report of Col jefferson
Davis, Secretary of war, is an interest
ing, busfness-like document, and makes
many important recommendations, / n or
der to give increased efficiency to the
important branch of the public service
over which he pesides. We a
brief abstract.
The actual strength of the army is IN
Iy ten thousand seven hundred and forty
five. The whole authorized strength is
fourteen thousand two hundred and six
teen. The deficiency is fast decreasing
by more rapid e~nlistments. A statement
of the changes made in the distribution
of the army during last year is given.
The removal from Florida of the rem
nant of the Seminoles, has received the
attention of the Department, but its eff
forts have not been very successful
Better fortune is expected next year,
through the instrumentality of the new
plan of operation. The Indian difficult
ties elsewhere are alluded to. The mas
sacre of Lieut.. Grafton and men by the
Sioux is narrated, and the fact stated
that the army force is quite indequatea
to the protection of our frontiers and to
punish Indian aggressions. Our entire
loss in Indian actions during the year is
four officers and sixty-three men killed
and four officers and ferty-two men woun-
ded. The occurrences on the frontier
furnish deplorable proofs of the INSULT
cheney of our military force, and of the
absolute necessity for the increase, which
was urged by the Secretary last year.
o. c-oa 1oa,g - o-oaa1
eleven thousand men, which is entirely
inadequate for the purposes for which we
maintain a standing army. Its immedi-
ate increase Il urged, at a cost sufficient
to give some degree of security to the
Indian frontiers, 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 zoos men in October
and September last. against 309 men
during the corresponding months last
year. The number of recruits required
for the service of the ensuing year will
probably not be leas than 5000 He
recommends the use of camels and drom-
edaries for military purposes again. and
asks an appropriation to test their use
fitness. An increased pay for officers is
urged as an act of justice and necessity.
Additional legislation is asked to place
the widows and orphans of the officers
and soldiers of the army On an equality
with the widows aud orphans of the Off
GERS and soldiers of the navy.
The necessity of a revision of our mil
itary legislation in some important par
t~icHlars is pointed out, in order to pre-
rent neutrality-suspicious. in regard to rank
and command, which now give rise to
much Inconvenience and trouble. One
great source of difficulty is the double
rank recognized by our laws; to remedy
this it Is proposed to give effect to breyet
rank only when the President may see
fit, and forbid the exercise of brevet COM
missions in the regiment. troop, or COM
pany where officers are mustered Eiab-
crate suggestions for reorganization of
the staff corps are presented, and COM
pared with European systems. It is
proposed that there be nine Brigadier
Generals; one for each department; one
for Q~uartermaster General, one for Adj
General, and two for Inspectors
General being an addition of three to
those who now, be brevet 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 regi-
ments are also suggested. The expedi
general promotions by seniority,
of merit, is doubted by the Sec
and the establishment Of a retir-
ed list again urged. P~rofessorship of
ethcis, and of English studies, at the
military academy, are recommended.
Many other subjects are treated of at
considerable lenght.
IL An unfortunate editor, who fan