The daily union., 1856-12-10

Importance" Ii rather TO be feared judging by the ir-
regular and very defective returns received at this depart
ment that the militia system is falling into disuse This
would seem to indicate defect in the organization and
necessity for further action by Congsshat body in the
language of President Jefferson when speaking Of the state
Of the militia in ls0s "aOne having the power to pro-
duee uniform state OF preparation in this great organ Of
defence"
During the past year books of tactical instruction and
OF experiments in the firing Of small at the long
ranges attained by modern improvements have been
issued to the States for the of the militia,
edition OF the Army Regulations which will be pub
lished 1t is designed to distribute in like manner and
1t Is recommended that provision be made which will
enable the department to supply such text books will
give to the militia the OF acquiring the necessary
Information in respect to the various duties Of troops
in the field all of which is requisite that Congress may
tuy provide for the use of the militia to execute the
laws OF the Union, suppress insurrecon and repel in
yasion, as empowered by the constitution. To the
language of President Jefferson, in his last annual
sage the extraordinary character of the times in which
we live impresses with than usual force the
cessity for thorough organization of the militia, do
serbed by President Washington "as the natural de-
fence OF the country the most ehectual as well as eco
nomlcal prUservative OF peace" The OF the army
and navy for the preservation of domestic order h for
many reasons Objectionable and should only be resorted
to when the peculiar necessities of the case shall justify
it, Should the civil authorities aided by posse, at any
time be insufficient to enforce obedience TO the law, the
nature of institutions seems TO indicate as the next
step the employment of the militia The authority con-
fered to employ the army and navy not granted IN
the first instance but after lapse OF years. was added
to that for the employment of the militia and would seem
to be the remedy for such extraordinary cases as justify
resort to the additional means granted but the occur
renee of such cases must, in no small degree depend
upon the perfection of the organization and discipline OF
the militia.
affairs in the Territory of Kansas has caused the troops
stationed there be diverted from the campaign in which
designed to employ them against the Cheyennes In
dans, and devoved upon them the delicate and most
gracious task of intervening to suppress nsurreconay
movements by citizens of the United States against the
ganized government of the Territory TO maintain the
q he
tuted authorities of the government they compelled
to take the field against those whom is their habit
gard not eny with feelings of kindness but with protec
tive Energy tempered with forbearance and firm
ness directed by than ordinary Judgment has
abed them to check civil strife and order and
tranquility without shedding drop of blood.
In aid of the civil authorities they have arrested viola
tors of the peace have expelled lawless bands from the
Territory, and, vganty guarding its borders have met
and disarmed bodies OF organized armed equipped
and advancing for aggressive INVASION whilst the actual
of their weapons had been reserved for the
mon enemies of the United States
concur in the high commendaton which the Command
ing General of the Department of the West besows
Lieutenant Colonel Cook, commanding in the field and to
the officers and who have thus satisfactorily perform
ed the disageeabe duty which imposed upon them
and am they could receive grateful reward
than exemption from the future performance OF such
duty and the assurance that their abors have contributed
the tranquility and prosperity of the country in which
they stationed Upon notice from the executive Of the
Territory that peace has been restored the troops have
been Withdrawn from the field and returned to winter
quarters.
have the honor to be- very respectfully your obedent
servant JEFFERSON DAVIS,
Secretary Of War.
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL-IN- CHIEF OF THE
ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS THE ARMY,
New York, November Is, 1856.
In conformity with usage, the undersigned the mmed
ate commander of the army under the President submits
through the Department of War his annual report the
general condition and wants of the service.
In similar report S49) observed that considering
the present distribution and employment of the army it
would be quite misnomer to call peace establishment
During the years which have elapsed nearly all
corps have been, before constantly the alert and
much Of the time engaged in hunting and fighting
Indians in the midst Of difficult forests swamps, and
mountains with great loss of life and health from wounds
and disease On the part Of many officers who have
vived those conflicts there have been frequent displays
conduct and courage which in my Judgment il would be
just, as well as polite, to honor by brevets.
The general state and distribution of the will have
been reported from the office of the Adutant General In
regard 10 certain of its wants which have already some
extent attracted legislative attention. though yet with
success proceed hopefully reiterae in part views
and recommendations which may be found large in
former reports.
1t has been gratifying observe within the past year
that the recent legislation for the benefit of enlisted
increase of pay with the offer of conditional promotion
scrgean &chas been attended with the good effects
cpated-an improvement in the character Of the rank
and file, &c further benefit of the kind would it
is believed result from change the system of recruit
ing heretofore proposed by meeach regiment to keep
of its companies assgned alternately depot service
for filling its ranks.
O. That the efficiency Of the army would be greatly pro.
NOTED by provision for the retirement of superannuaed
and other disabled officers proposition already so re-
peaedy urged by the War Department and by military
committees of Congress well by the Generan Chief
that II need not be here further dwelt upon.
B. The want indispensable TO the webeng Of the army
and the most pressing Of a-pressing when first pre-
sened and yearly become more so-is an increased
pensaton to commissioned officers such has already
been accorded to the rank and file proportional to the al
tered condition Of country and times the de-
probation of money since the present tariff pay and sub
ssence established Originally this deemed quite
moderate and had for many years been undergoing slow
dimnution but arms adding i'm
mensely the territory and wealth Of the Union have
suddenly diminished the necessares and comforts Of Off
thirty per cent more making In all forty or fifty per
centum, by a corresponding dminuon in the value Of
their stationary receipts while in every other department
Of life public and private the rewards of labor talent and
science have by equitable advancing scale remained
before II certainly seems peculiar hardship upon
officers who contributed much labor talent science and
blood towards those successes that they should thereby
have reduced themselves state of comparative poverty
But hope though long deferred still confdes in the justice
Of Congress.
for the future Its features addition the month
pay increase of the Communication price Of ratons and
serUiee ration for every three nstead of now every
fve years duty Except in the last point this scheme
is Appropriated by the plan Of the House bill No SOL I'd
section which before the present Congress its first
session. and which If it passes would doubt afford very
material relief to all in commission.
In considering the policy and equity Of such relief il
but just to remember that the military profession absolute
y separates the officer from every pursuit Of private inter
that claims despoc coRro his time and
ments and energies As he belongs to the service entire
upon alone he depend and il should secure