New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-04

snl,ns no Jx.nee Of settlement and along migrant
yts. across the continent, continue 70 DC se,ou1y
[y.Ne Thcv are manifested in the large amoun re-
s,,d Tor transportation and IN the small gsrreons
Sspnd AZ mort OF the posts. Inc conat.on oi tuags
Which led TO the adoptou Of thus POhSy otsnany nas
sn,irelv charged II began when tne eetuers were
1ly nnshing their way to the fertile regions In the
Vsiey OF the Mississp me iePols vi IeG Inac.s
sanoes snbmi,ted by the war Dep@tnent aurng ne
% - Rot xeen the hundretth meridian Of longitude
"a ,a coast range Of mountains erlooting the ia.
&C. IL not susc, ptble Of cultivation with the aid OF
sr,ci. means and toat II can neve De covered oy an
;enhnral population. The hnii, therefore, has been
ss,hed beyond which civilization has ceased to How In
he tain Of advancing military posts. new posi- es-
t.blsb.d In his desert region does not pecons tue
nns ~ se.tl, men from which in a short time pro-
Wis ons and forage can be drawn, ana tie VI
taon he thus reduced TO necessary supply OF
gr ceres mpem snts and MUNITIONS OF wari oa' az the
Raw attirl. OF subsistence must be procured tom
,smofe u,afk.t transported not by Wafer, but over
vosds made by the United states
TIE settlemen. of Nex-Mexico YVES begun long ante
yor 10 that of lage po,ons of many p'puious di ct5
io the States YET this day cultivation has exendsa
little beyond Toe Red Bravo; andthough iors Lsrgme
aad K.arney, on the Oregon route, nave oeeh ione
established there are agrc lltual Stements ABOUT
them Though xe have been in the habit OF believing
tia. the g1e.t basin of ah presented fertile oass,
recent events furnish much 70 doubt It's csPib-
NV 10 sustain any considerable poPuhtoh 0epen ing Oh
lie own resources year al or yeN. 80
la view of these considerations, instead OF dspersing
the troops to form small gars ms a. numerous posts,
where only exhibit our weakness 10 he savage Toe,
the Secretary sueges.s that within the fertile regions
fv uints accessible by ste9m ooa.s or railways shodd
be selected at which orge garrison, should be main.
t.ped, and from which strong detachmeots sh)aid
annually be sent out into the Indian country during
The season when gTa's will suffice for the support OF
draft and burden These detachnens would be avail
abb both huo up and chastise those tribes which
had committed depreda ,ns, aud give needui pr0ttc-
ton T. emigrsDts TO from the Pacific slope during
the travelling season.
Experience has shown that small posts nearly
poweress beyond their own limits. Some OF The most
hsgrant depredations have been committed on parties
IN the vicinity Of such military pQsts and the inability
pursue and punish the offenders has tended to brDg
INTO disrepute the power and ensrgy OF the United
States whose citizens the victims OF predatory at
tAcks. In fact these posts, being fixed points in the
route Of emigranls afford the Indians opportunity of
observing each tram which passes, and thus deternn-
ing upon their future operations.
Cavalry cannot be sustained in state of efficiency
during the Winter; and without stables, graio and
bay, Sbich are almost impossible to procure and then
only at cost. Infantry garsODs are less ex
pebsive b. cause less forage 10 required.
If sufficient garrisons were kept at all theposts now
established fer the purpose OF making expeditions at
any time among the neghb BRING tribes, il is not be-
hevsd they would be equally effective with marching
detaehmsDts Of the same numerical strength. Their
position weud be known their preparations for taking
The field observed and co siderable orce neces-
gary could be left thind for the protection of the pub
nc property at each post. The instruction and disc
pine quarters would be inferior to that of large gar
sOns, ana the capacity of troops suddenly emerging
be less than that Of men Injured by long marches and
frequent blv6uscs ~ bear fatigue and protect them
selves against exposure incident 70 service in the field
The present policy Of distribution also involves the
frequent construction and abandonment of posts and
The employment of the troops much of the time at con-
staff labor, alike injurious to military instruction aud
the conte eat of the II also involves the
Hpual of position after it beea
made e0a Portable, which leaves the soldier without
nducement for the sacrifices he may be called upon to
make and tends TO increase the number Of desertions
IJnde would
comfortably quartered 10 the midst of cviliz stion
Their Summer campaign would be the hed.pra;tfce of
their profession, the temporary dangers and tolls OF
which would give zest to soldiers life, with pros
pect Of return to the ssnorts association aud means
Of instruction of large garrison at weilesaolshed
post 1T given time.
IL is believed that such an arrangement would make
The service attractive ~ peison of military spirit and
that the efficiency of the troops would be increased pros
porODaely as the expense OF supporting them would
b. diminished.
ease parallel to frontier service, sording az In
stance of the practices working of system similar to
thje proposed. critical examination OF this proposed
radical change in our Army distributions Is 1vited ana
kcielatop TO carry ii into effec. Is suggested.
The seacoast Notifications progressing but there
n much vet to be done before msny OF the most I'M
portant will be efficient. The Notifications for haroor
defence are held to be most efficient and reference is
made to the failure of formidable naval armaments
against fortified places III the Black Sea and the Baltic
rs showing conclusivey that properly for
uHcAIlOns
bic ses. The Report urges the Importance OF COM
plsting the Notifications IN progress and o! making no
ersl appropriations for ones. Time Is necessary
70 make them efficient and it ought to be done while
the country in state of peace bee ause caanot be
dene hastily except at increased exp snse and then not
rhatly.
The Secre'sry asks law for liberal appropriations
for armsments for forte, improvements in small
s,ps and the mutation of supplies of ammunition
At tie present rate Of appropriations by Congress
would qnire forty years TO supply each mounted piece
N the forts with hundred rounds of ammunition; but
a. many needed Notifications WILL doubtless, be b'rt
within that period at its end arma nent probably
would not be more complete thea now
II requires Argument to show tha' iortihcatons
V,tbo 4 sups are worse than useless.
The Report recommends the substitution OF wrought
ron foi wooden gun carriages asks for an appropna
tios sor experiments TO determine the expectancy OF
mour ting in certain positions covering channels, guns
Of large CALDER to throw holio~ pr9Jechies OF great
diameter aud weight containing sufficient charges OF
powder to render a single one destructive OF any YES
sci which il may penetrate
In order to simplify our field artillery, and increase
the range and power Of that arm preparations are IN
progress for trial by the light artillery companies OF
four batteries of light twelvePouoders to DO suost-
tuted for the preeent six pound batteries. .
TIE Secretary reviews his recommendation for the
establishment Of national foundry for casting guns.
The operations of the national srmories have been
restricted to the completion OF new models for small
ann and the alter atoms OF old models to the long range
flied arms aud TO the preparations requisite for the
exclusive manufacture Of the adopted model,
which is riAed arm, such as is commonly called the
Mimic rife with improvement Of the lock after NJ ~
nard's plan. The alteration OF the common tnt lock
70 the self printing has been effected to limited extent
The Report recommends the alteration to this model of
an the Old arms of the United States including those
distributed 70 the States. There are, altogether, up
ward of half milton aud the alteration recommended
10 Absolutely necessary to prepare the country TO meet