Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-28
BE KIND.

-
brow
May traces of sorrow be seen;
Oh well may'st thou cherish and com.
fort her now,
For loving and kind hath she been.
Remember thy mother-for thee will
she pray,
As long as God giyeth her breath;
With accents of kindness then cheer hel
lone way,
E'ento the dark valley of death.
Be kind to thy brother--his heart will
have dearth,
If the smile of thy joy be withdrawn
The flowers of feeling will fade at their
birth,
If the dew of affection be gone.
Be kind to thy brother-wherever you
a.e,
The love of brother shall be
An ornament purer and richer by far
Than pearls from the depth of the sea.
Be kind to your sister-not many may
know -rt
The depth of true sisterly love;
The wealth of the ocean lies fathoms be-
low
The surface that sparkles above.
Thy kindness shall bring to thee many
sweet hours,
And blessings thy pathway to crown;
Affection shall weave thee garland Of
flowers,
More precious than wealth or renown.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The actual strength of the Army is
only ten thousand seven hundred and
forty-fve. The whole authorized
strength is fourteen thousand two hun
dred and sixteen. The deficiency is
fast decreasing by more rapid enlist
ments. A statement of the changes
made in the distribution of the army
during last year is made.
The removal from Florida of the
remnant of Seminoles, had received
the attention of the Department, but
its efforts have not been very success
full. Better fortune is expected next
year, through the instrumentality of
the new plan of operations. The mas
sacre Of Lieut.. Grafton and men by the
Sioux is narrated, and the fact stated,
that the army force is quite inadequate
to the protection of our frontier, and
to punish Indian aggressions. Our en-
tire loss in Indian actions during the
year is four officers and sixty three men
killed, and four officers and forty two
men wounded. The occurrences on the
frontier. furnish deplorable proofs of the
insuficiency of our military force, and
of the absolute necessity for its increase,
which was urged by the Secretary last
year. Our effective force does not ex-
ceed eleven thousand men, which is in
adequate for the purposes for which
we maintain a standing army. Its i'm
mediate increase is urged, at cost suf-
feient to give some degree of security
to the Indian frontiers, for which pur-
pose the regular force is the most eff
cient, cheap, proper, and constitutional
means. -
The increased pay to enlisted men,
induced the enlistment of l,005 men in
October and September last, against
800 men during the corresponding
months last year. The number of re-
cruits required for the service of the
ensuing year, will probably not be less
than 5000. He recommends the use
of camels and dromedaries for military
purposes, again, and asks an appropria-
ton to test their usefulness. An in
creased pay for officers is urged as an
act of Justice and necessity. Addition
al legislation is 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 officers
and soldiers of the navy. 7The-necessi-
ty of revision of our military legisla-
ton in some important particulars is
pointed out, in order to prevent con-
l1ic.ing 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
recognized 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 reorganization
of the staff corps are presented, and
compared with European systems. 1t
is proposed that there be nine Brigadier-
Generals; one for each Department.
one for Quartsrmaster General, and
one for, -Adjutant- General, and two for
Inspector General; being an addition ol
three tie those who now, by breyet oil
otherwise, have rank and command a:
Brigadier- Generals. Other marked
changes in staff appointments, rani
and duty are proposed.
Reforms in the organization of regl
msnts are suggested. The expediency
of,general promotions by seniority in
stead of merit, is doubted by the Secre'
tary; and the establishment of retired
list again urged. Professorships O
Ethics and of English studies at the
Military Academy are recommended.