, 1855-04-07
Augmentation Of the Army.

affairs, reported bill (of which the follow.
ing is synopsis), for the better organiza-
tion Of the army. OF this bill, we believe
there is but one opinion in this community,
and that is, that it is a good one We
hope that our next advices from Washing
ton will bring the gratifying news of the
passage of the bill. 1t is high time our
army was increased, as the hostilities and
warlike conduct of the Indians of the plains
and the slaughter by them of small squads
of our brave men who are sent out to fight
them, abundantly proves:
Section l provides that there shall be
added to the army fonr regiments of infan-
try and two of cavalry, organized as in the
present force. Section 2, that there shall
be corps of artillery, to consist of two
colonels, twelve majors, and twenty-five
companies; the officers and soldiers now in
service to be transferred to it. Section g..
the present regiments of dragons andi
mounted rilemen, to be hereafter styled
regiments Of cavalry, and added to each
regiment Of cavalry ten first lieutenants
sixtyfour privates to be allowed to each
company Of artillery, cavalry and infantry:
Section 4 provides that there shall be add,
ed to the corps of engineers, one brigadier.
general, one colonel, four majors, eight;
captains, eight lieutenants, eight second
lieutenants, and a company Of engineer
soldiers as now organized the officers Of
the present corps Of engineers to be trans
ferred to it. Section 5, that the ordnance
corps shall consist of one colonel, two lien
tenant colonels, eight majors, the military
Store-keepers, and such enlisted men and
such additional officers as may be required
for ordnance duties shall be detailed from
other corps of the army Section 6, that
instead Of the number now authorized by
law, there shall be nine brigadier generals
one to be adjutant general, one to be
: quarter-master general, and two to be en-
, ployed as inspectors general I; and that
, there shall be one commissary general, one
Judge advocate Of the army, seven assistant
adjutant generals, eight quartermasters,
and six colnmiSSaries, to be selected from
, the regiments or corps. Section I, that
these officers be appointed and removed
under such regulations as the President
may adopt, and that all laws now in force
authorizing appointments Of such by com
mission be repealed. Section 8, relates to
the appointment of officers. Section Q, the
President to have power to prescribe the
manner in which the troops shall be armed
and equipped, according to the nature Of
their service Section 10, when different
regiments or corps join and do duty togeth-
er, the officer highest in rank there present
on duty, shall command the whole, and an
officer Of the pay or medical departments
cannot exercise command, except in hs
own department. Section IL, that the Of
fcers and men authorized by this act shall
be entitled to the same provisions for
wounds and disabilities, and the same pro-
visions for widows and children, and the
same allowances and benefits in every re-
spect rs are allowed to other troops com
posing the army Of the United States
Section ~ provides that the monthly pay
of officers shall be, major general, two
hundred and sixty-fve dollars, and so on
down according to rank. Section 10 re
lates 10 officers retiring from active service,
and sections IA and is to the same sub
ject ....r. ..
Mr.. SHIELDS has since introduced 10 adj
ditional sections to the above, Of which
the following are the principal provisions:
The first provides for the appointment Of
three commissioners to proceed to the To-
dian country to enter into negotiations and
conclude treaties ofnmity with such Indian
tribes as may be disposed to preserve
friendly relations with the United States
The next section authorizes the President
in addition to the employment Of any mili-
tory force now disposable, to accept the
services Of any number Of mounted volun.
teers not exceeding in all four regiments
The succeeding section authorizes the en-
lployment of any number Of friendly Indians
not exceeding in all Eve hundred, TO b
used as mounted rangers, scouts, guides
and hunters; but this portion Of bis amend
ment, Mr.. Shields seemed, after discussion
and objection on the part Of Mr.. Cas-, dis
posed TO omit. The other sections relate
10 the mode Of organizing and employing
the volunteers, and provide for those
wounded or disabled as under existing laws
It is also proposed that portion Of the
army Of the United States now serving on
foot may be required to serve as mounted
troops, on the same footing as the present
corps Of mounted riaemen. The President
may vary, from time to time, II deemed ex-
pedient, the arms and equipments OF the
volunteers.
These propositions, but especially these
relating TO the appointment Of peace copi-
missioners and the employment Of indiana
gave rise to an extended but highly inter.
esting discussion, in which the number Of
Indian tribes, the policy Of the country IN
regard 70 them, and the probable effect Of
the proposed measures upon the Indians
were fully canyassed. The information as
to the Immense number Of Indians mo-.