Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-20
" Ar DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Jan. Is, 1855.


President, and other letters ON the same
subject.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Jan. Is, 1855.
SIR: In the annual report from this depart
ment OF December, 1853, your attention was
called TO the state of the western Indian tribes,
and the causes which tended to bring them
into hostility with our citizens. The exposed
condition Of the settlements on the frontier
and Of emigrants to California and Oregon
passing through the Indian country with their
property presented to those war-like and pre-
datory tribes temptations which 1t was fore
seen would lead them to acts of massacre and
plumber. unless they were restrained by the
presence Of sufficient military force.
The total inadequacy of the present au,
thorized military force for the protection of our
citizens was shown, and an increase OF the
army was urgently recommended.
In my last annual report the subject was
again brought forward with the additional con-
alterations presented by the realization, in
some measure, of the evils which had been
anticipated, and an increase Of the army to
such an extent as would enable the depart
ment to meet the inevitable emergency was
urged ia such terms as appeared to be de-
inanded by the occasion, and to demonstrate
Since the date OF that report, intelligence
received from officers on the frontier, and
through the Department of the Interior, from
Indian agents and other sources, shows that
the Indians of the western praries and noun
tains are in hostile and defiant attitude; that
several Of those tribes have entered into com.
binations for the purpose of making general
war upon the whites during the approaching
spring and summer, and that these tribes can
bring into the field from four to six or eight
thousand warriors. Had the increase of the
army, which was urged in my. report Of De-
cenlber, 1863, been at an early period au-
thorized, the force at the disposal Of the de.
partment would have been sufficient to pre-
vent these combinations and, in all probability,
would have preserved the lives of many valua-
bic citizens from Indian massacre.
This measure, however, has not been acted
on, and at this advanced period, should the
bills now pending in Congress be passed, it
will be found too late to organize regular en-
listed force and place it in position in season
to prevent the anticipated attack, or to sup
press it until after much mischief shall have
been done. The only course now left to the
department, in anticipation OF the proposed in
crease, is the employment of a volunteer force
to cooperate with such of the regular troops
as can be collected for the present emergency;
and it is accordingly recommended that au-
thority be asked Of Congress to call into service
1000 mounted volunteers, to be organized into
companies, squadrons, and batialions, and serve
for period of eighteen months, unless sooner
discharged.
Should the proposed increase of the army he
authorized during the present session, il is
hoped that the two additional regiments Of cav
airy may be organized, mounted, and put in
position to relieve the volunteers some time
during the summer or fall; and the two regi-
lnents of infantry recruited and organized for
service in the department of the Pacific and on
our extreme northwestern frontier, where troops
are greatly needed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JEFF. DAVIS,
Secretary of War.
Ta tho pPrsrnrxT Of the II nj, ed States