The daily union., 1854-12-16
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

The following able review of the last annual report of
the Secretary of War is taken from the Boston Post
In paper to-day will be found full abstract of the
very able and elaborate report of Hon. Jefferson Davis the
Secretary of War; The condition of this department. its
pressing necessities and the duty devong Congress to
provide adequate of protection to various portions of
country set forth in the report with array of
facts and argument that cannot fail to produce effect where
ever read 1t should be remembered that these
mendations from of the most gallant soldiers and
intelligent statesmen of the country His acquaintance with
the theory and the practice of war renders his opinions of
weight.
Jealousy of military of the marked traits of
the fathers of the republic and when reflect the
ture of our frontier line of territory its exposure to the in
roads of the savage and its great extent surely must be
confessed that their descendants have retained the old ea
ousy when have only authorized army OF fourteen
Thousand hundred and sixteen men But according to
the report actual engaged in protecting all parts of
the country but thousand hundred and forty
Secretary states that ensments under new law are
fast making up the full complement.
The Secretary orcby urges the necessity OF an in
crease of the army border settlements from Missouri
westward and from the Pacific ocean eastward steadily
pressing the savage tribes into limits and an
productive region This empts bands heretofore separated
each other to dangerous combinations Now, OF these
there 900 population, of whom half are inmcal
and these bring the field 10000 warriors who only
wait the opportunity to become active enemies Well does
the Secretary remark that the military force is entirely in
adequate the service of protection of eight thousand miles
OF Indian frontier
The duty imposed Congress, of aordng protection to
the hardy pioneers who go forth to plant civilization
imperative one and consideration should it be ne
elected The late of parties of brave my and
of emgrant speak volumes in favor of immediate action
looking to an increase of the force The of of
these parties by the Sioux the result OF deliberately
devised plan capture the garrison of Fort Laramie and
plupder the stores From fifteen hundred to two thousand
Indians were engaged in it, 1t while Lieut. Grahsn and
thirty sent from this fort to arrest offender that
the deed committed The Secretary states that mad
eauate is the command is not in the power of the
department concentrate the troops to prevent or to
punish these disorders.
The report is full of details as to this departmenevin-
cling the deep interest of the Secretary and his intimate
knowledge the service He points out, most clearly and
convncingy the necessity olegsaton to remedy the evils
and difficulties connected with the administration of the War
Department the regulations to rank, reorgani
znon the staff corps, and arrangement as to regi
ments The subjects ably presented will receive the
appropriate consideration by Congress.
Such report as this, full in its information, per-
picuous syle and strong in its reasoning is most
creditabe Secretary That the army needs to be in
creased can hardly admit of doubt and earnestly hope
that Congress will give its instant attention to the consdera
on so ably deliberately and patriotcay laid before it in
this excellent report