, 1855-04-07
Defensive Preparations.

DurlhS Ine session oil congress just clOseu
the attention of that body would seem to
have been thoroughly awakened, and mea-
surcs proposed to add greater security to our
frontiers-the great thoroughfarcs of trav-
el, and for the keeping in greater subjec-
ton, the numerous warlike tribes of Indi-
ans that inhabit the plains east and west
of the Rocky Mountains.
The Senate have passed the bill author
izing the President to enrol three thousand
volunteers for service against the Indians,
and have appropriated two and half mill
ion dollars for their support. They are
intended to operate against the Sioux
The Secretary of War, Hon. JEFF. DA-
Wis has, in reply to letter addressed to the
President by Gov. Geo. L. Curry, detail
ing the massacre of emigrants during last
fall by the Snake Indians, informed the
Governor of Oregon, that it is the purpose
of the Department TO send force against
these Indians this spring, and that it will
probably consist of eight companies, (two
of Dragons, one of Artillery and four Of
Infantry to be drawn from the posts in
Washington, Oregon and California. The
force, it is believed, will be sufficient, both
for the protection of the immigration, and
for the punishment Of the perpetrators Of
the late oulragcs.
Adyiccs from Washington by the last
mail are entirely silent as to the disposition
made of the Army Bill, or the augmenta-
tion proposed in the Senate by Mr.. SHIELDS,
of Illinois
Gen. Scott was called before the Militia
ry Committee of the House not long since,
to give his testimony regarding the provis-
ion of the bill for tAe reorganization Of
the army. He approved Of most of the
provisions Of the bill, and recommended
others to be stricken out. The following
were the first and leading questions put by
Mr.. Faulkner, the Chairman:
Quesiion By Mr.. FaalkRcr-What, in
yonr opinion, should be the strength Of the
Army of the United States at this time, in
view Of our extensive sea-board and for
cign frontier, our present and prospective
relations with the Indian tribes Of the
West, and the protection due to our sew
cra routes Of emigration?
Ansuer-The increase in the strength oI
the army, as provided for in the bill sub
mitted by the War Department, now under
consideration by the Committee, | deem
highly necessary The bill proposes that
there shall be two additional regiments oi
Infantry and two of Cavalry. This is, !
consider, the minimum force that Is essen
tal to be added to the army 10 protect the
frontiers against the hostilitics Of Indians,
the present force on the frontiers being en-
tirely inadequate for that purpose In
Texas the Indian hostilities have been
more destructive than at other points, prin-
cipaly on account of the small force sta.
toned in that country The troops are
constantly engaged in encounters with hos.
tile Indians, and the loss Of men, when sue
ccssful, Is always in the inverse ratio Of our
inferior numbers. Hence the proposed in.
crease, simply in reference to Indian from
tiers, seems to be dictated by cons;dera.
tions both of policy and humanity, in or
der that adequate protection may be affor-
ded to our border inhabitants without a
useless sacrifice Of our. brave dctachments
The increase proposed, Of two regiments
Of Infantry and two Of Cavalry, organized
like the present forces and characterized by
the like zeal and activity would, in my
opinion, give ample protection to our from
tiers and overland emigrants.
Qucstion-Is the proposed increase es-
sential to the present exigcncies Of the
country, without any reference to the pro
liabilities Of foreign war?
ARsrr-This addition has no reference
TO war with any foreign power. If such
event were anticipated It is presumed that
ten or fifteen regiments would be called for
B9-The progress of Minnesota Territory
is truly wonderful. 1t was organized only
six years ago thirty counties have since