Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-16
ABSTRACTS OF ANNUAL REPORTS.

grave anu Important.
ABSTRACTS OF ANNUAL REPORTS.
WAR DEPARTMENr.-The actual strength of
the army is 1882 officers and men. The au-
thorized force is II ,S67. The recruiting
vice is progressing satisfactorily, and il is be-
lieved that in few months the disparity Will
be overcome. Enlistments to the number of
$40 were made during the year ending Sep
tember 80, but this was not the whole number
who desired to win glory, fighting under t.e
banner of Uncle Sam--for there were upwards
of 10000 persons who offered to enlist and
were refused in consequence of minority and
general unfness for service. Casualties
amounted to 5,500.-It is iamented, as grow
ing evil, that applications for the discharge Of
minors are frequent; the infants who are re-
leased subject the Government TO serious
bill of expense. The Secretary recommends
that the contract should be made binding in
every case where deception has been employ
ed, and Il modification of the existing law is
called for.
The troops retain the general distribution !;
four additional regiments have been organic
ed. The cavalry company which were sent
against the Sioux have gone into winter quar-
| ters at Fort Leavenworth and will be in posi-
ton for operation in the Spring. The 9th In
fantry checks the Indians on the Oregon route.
Ali intercourse with the Florida Semiuoles
has been strictly prohibited. Efforts are in
progress for their removal from the Florida
country. The troops have explored the re-
gion, have opened roads, and have arrived at
sources of accurate information respecting the
| territory now in possession of the Indians, so
that future operations will be greatly faciiita-
| ted. The proprety of levying volunteer REIN
| forcements in the Pacific Department, for the
purpose of chastising the savages on that coast,
is question which the Secretary declines to
| decide, preferring to leave it to thc military
Commander of the Department. The
| galantry of the troops in the Indian campaigns
| of the year is spoken of in terms of high
| praise; but the unusual extent of operations
has caused large expenditures, which have
exceeded the appropriations.
| In order to preserve the efficiency of the Ar
| my, several measures are suggested, viz:
| l. 1t is essential that there be a revision of
| the laws regulating rank and command. The
| right of command should follow rank - one
certain Iule; officers holding general commits
sions should not be placed at once upon the
staff but have an opportunity to acquire prac-
tical military knowledge; troops equipped for
| the. same service should not be divided, nor
| should foot be subdivided into artillery and
! infantry, or mounted men into dragons and
| cavalry.
2. Officers no longer capable of performing
active duty should be retired from the SER
vice, but the rates of compensation should be
| increased, and the laws respecting allowances
undergo revision.
8. The provision of the Act of August 4,
1854, increasing pay of rank and file, should
| be extended to all enlisted men.
4. An increase of the Medical Corps is re-
commended.
5. Five moro military store keepers are
needed in the Quarternaster Generals De-
partments.
6. The prohibition of the purchase of lands
for military posts causes embarrassmcnts, and
should be removed. Useless militory sites
require to be sold.
The Secretary enlarges upon these points,
and presses them earnestly. A considerable
proportion of them are his recommendations
of last year.
The anticipations entertained, at the time
of the establishment of the Military Asylum,
have not been fulfilled. Tho average cost of
maintaining each inmate is $500. 1t is too
much, and reduction is necessary. The num-
Der of men received, in four years, is 2o7 =
cost, so far, S27l .497. The new building near
| Washington will accommodate $50 men. The
branch Of the Asylum at East Pascagoula, Miss,
is discontinued; and similar action is recon-
| mended TO the branch at Harrodsburg.
The camels and dromedaries which were or
| dered from the East viii arrive in February
| These animals have been found useful in the
Crimea, ard will be employed in military SER
vice here.
A new Professorship of Ethics, and sundry
other Improvements at West Point are recon-
| mended.
Proper attention to the coast defences is
very important, particularly the fortifcation
OF Ship Island, as connected with the defence
| of the approaches to New Orleans, and the
command of the inner channel of communea-
ton between the Mississippi river and Mobile
| harbor. The entrance of the Columbia river
should be fortified. Appropriations are asked
| for the erection of arsenals in Texas, and New
Mexico, and on the North Pacific coast New
models for all small arms have been adopted,
embracing the late improvements. A new
pistol, with increased length of barrel, and ca
pable of instantaneous change into carbine,
| is particularly noticed.
| The work upon military roads has made sat
isfactory progress. The survey of the North
western lakes has been prosecuted with ener-
gy. The snag-boats on the Western rivers
have been sold.
The Pacific Railroad Expeditions have been
successfully completed. 1t is decided that
the most practicable and economical route is
that of the 80 deg. parallel. The Colarada
| Desert is not uususceptib1e of culture. The
Secretary is quite favorable TO this route, set
ting forth its adyantags in glaring co,orE.-
| The practicabilty Of sinking Arfesian wells
along the route was tested. The contributions