Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-28

The actual strength OF the army is TO-.
95j. / he whole authorized strength il
ll.2l6. The dc fcieEcy is fas, decreas-
ing BY more rigid enIisimen.s. A state
ment OF tho changes made in the disiribu-
ton of the army during the past year fol-
lows.
The removal from Florida OF the rem
nant of the Semnoles. has received the
attention of the Department, but its ef-
forts have not been very successful. Bet
ter fortune is expected this year, through
the instrumenlslily of the new plan of
operations. The Indian difficulties else.
where are alluded to. The massacre of
Ii. Grafton aud men by the Sioux is mar,
rated, and the fact stated that the nrmy
force is quite inadequate TO the protection
OF our frontier. and to puai sh Indian ag-
gression. Our entire loss in Indian &C.
tons during the year is Ulcers and 63
killed, and officers and AZ wounded. -
The occurrence on tie frontier furnish G..
plorable proofs Of the insufFiciency of our
military force and Of the absolute ne.
cesslty fOf its increaSe, which was urged
BY the Secretary last year, Our effective
force does not exceed III 090 men. which
is entirely inadequate for he purposes for
which We maintain standing army. lis
immediate increase is urged at cost suf
hclent TO give some degree OF security to
The Indian frontiers. for which purpose
The regular force is the most effective.
cheap. proper and Constitutional means
The increased pay to enlis! men, indu-
ced the enlistment of 100 men in October
and September last, against 500 men du-
ring the corresponding months OF last
year. The number OF recruits required
in the service Of the ensuing year will
probably be no less than 5000. lie rec
cOmmendS the use of cames and drome.
daries for military purposes ngain, aud
asks an appropriation to ties, their useful
ness. An increased pay for officers is
urged as an act of justice and necessity :
Additional Legislation is as. ed to place
the widows and orphans OF officers and
soldiers of the Navy. The necessity Of
a revision of our military Legislation in
some importan; particulars is pointed cut,
ia order to prevent conflicting claims in
regard to ranks and command which now
give rise to much inconvenience and iroub-
10. One great source of difficulty is the
double rank recognized by our laws. to
remedy this it is proposed to give brevet
rank effect only whsAlhe President may
see fit. and forbid I IA Exercise Of brevet
commissions n the regimen, troop or
company. where the officers are mustered
Elaborate suggestions for the re-organiza-
ton of the staff corrs are presented and
compared with European systems. Il is
proposed that there be nine Brigndior- gen
ersls-ono Of ea;h Departmental one for
Quarter Master General; being ON Eddi-
lion of three to those who now, by brcyet
or otherwise, have rank and command az
Brigadier generals. Other marked changes
in staff appointments, rank and duty are
proposed.
Reforms in the organization Of regi-
men,s are also suggested, The expodien.
cy Of general promotions by seniority
instead OF merit i= doubted by the Socre.
isry, and the establishment OF retired
list again urged in the sironges, terms.
Prsiessorslip Of Ethics and of English
studies at the'mili.ary Academy are com
meuded