Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-05
REroRr OF rar srcerrARy ar war

The report ofthe Secretary Of War is volunluous an
Interesting.
The authorized strength Of the Army II se4 the &C
tus strength the LIST OF July i5s6a The numbe
Of ensimenfs during the twelve months ending Sept .,
was 44+o the number Of persons offering to enlist bu
The number of casualties during the last fiscal year. b,
deaths discharges and desertous 6os6 Of which s.
s2S were by desetton.
The OF troops for the last year are relaet
briefly.
The Indian difficulties the Western plains have beer
successfully erminatsd except with the Cheyennes
Texas though the military force has been reduced during
the last year, there has been considerable decrease Of
dian disturbances the propriey OF removing
the fagmeutay tribes OF Indians In Texas
the United States lands north Of the Red River which
would greatly reduce the expenditures for keeping them
in subsection by rendering the maintenance Of many
military posts unnecessary.
The Indian the Pacific Is ended The posscssory
rights OF the Hudsons Bay and Pugets Sound Companies
held by persons who allegiance us whose
influence Tor evil is unbounded with the Indians The Re-
port suggests the extinguishmcut of these rights.
The expense aud embarrassment tho service result
ing from the present policy OF locating military posts in
advance Of settlement and along emgrant routes across
the continent continue TO be seriously felt They
infested in the large amounts required for transportation
and in the small garrisons found OF tue
The condition of things which led to the adoption Of this
policy originally, has entirely changed IL began when
the settlers we're rapidly pushing their way 10 the fertile
regions in the Valley Of the Mississippi The reports OF
Reconnaissance submitted by the War Department during
the show that with the
try lying between the hundredth meridian OF longitude
and the range Of mountains overlooking the Pacific
not susceptible OF cultivation with the aid artificial
means and that il be covered by agricutu
raj population The limit therefore, has been reached
beyond which civilization has ceased dow in the train
of advancing military posts post established in
this desert region does not become the nucleus Of settle
menL from which in short time provisions aud forage
be drawn and the expense Of transportation be thus
reduced TO necessary supply OF groceries, implements
and munitions OF but all the heavy article. of sub
az ha E,An,
ported not by water but roads made by the United
States.
The settlement Of New Mexico begun long anter
to that Of large portions Of many popnlous districts in
the States yet to this day cultivation has extended little
beyond the Red Bravo; and though forts Laramie and
kearney, the Oregon route have been long established
there agricultural settlements about them Though
have been in the habit OF believing that the great ba
sin of Utah presented fertile oasis events furnish
much to doubt its capabiy to sustain any consid
crabe population depending on its resources year
after year.
In view of these considerations instead of dispensing
the troops form small gartisons numerous posts
where only exhibit our weakness to the savage Toe
the Secretary suggests that within the fertile regions
few points accessible by steamboats, railways should
be selected at which large sarsons should be maintained
and from which strong attachments should annually
into the Indian country during the when grass
will suffice for the support OF draft and buthen These
deachments would be available both hunt up and chas
tse those tubes which had committed depredations, aud
to give neediu protection TO emgants from the Pa
ci6c slope during the travelling season.
Experience has shown that small posts nearly pow
less beyond their own limits. Some OF the fragrant
depredatons have been committed parties in the vi
cniIy Of such military posts, and the inability pursue
and punish the offenders has tended to bring into disre
pute the power and energy Of the United States whose
citizens the victims Of predatory attacks In fact
these posts being liked points in the route OF emigran
afford the Indians opportunity OF observing each train
which passes aud thus determine upon their future
rations
Cavalry cannot he sustained in state Of efficiency du
ring the winter and without stables grain ard hay which
almost impossible procure, aud then only at enor.
nous cost Infantry garrsons are less expensive because
less forage is required.
II sufficient garrisons kept all the posts nos
established for the purpose Of making expeditions any
time among the neghboring tribes, it is believed they
would be equally effective with marching attachments OF
the numerical strength. Their position would be
known their preparations for taking the field observed
and considerable force if Necessary could be left behind
for the protection of the public property post The
instruction and discipline in quarters would be inferior
that OF large garson and the capacity of troops suddenly
emerging from quarters begin forced marches OF pursuits
would be less than that OF Injured by long marches
aud frequent bvouacs to bear fatigue and protect them
selves agans. exposure incident service in the field
The present policy OF distribution also Involves the ire
quent construction aud abandonment OF posts and
poymcnt OF ali the troops much OF the time at constant la
Dor alike injurious military instruction and the content
OF the Ii also involves the continual abandon
ment OF position soon after has been made comfortable
which leaves the soldier without induceuen for the sacri
ices he be called upon make and tends TO increase
the number Of descrtions.
Under the policy suggested the troops would be
comfortably quArercd in the midst of civilization Their
Summer campaign would be the field practice OF their
profession the temporary dangers and tolls which wsad
give the soldiers life with prospect of return to
the comforts, association and Of instruction OF
large garrison at well established post given time
1t is believed that such arrangement would make the
service attractive to persons Of military spirit and that the
efficiency OF the troops would be increased proportonate-
y as the expense OF supporting them would be diminish
ed
The occupation OF Algeria by the French is cited as
parallel to frontier service aording instance
OF the practical working OF system similar this propo-
sed. 4 critical examination of this proposed radical
change in Army distributions invited and legislation
to carry it into effect is suggested.
The coast Notifications progressing but there il
much yet to be done before many Of the important
VII be efficient. The Notifications for habor defence are
held TO be most efficient and reference is made the M
lure Of formidable naval ornaments against fortified pla.
in the Black Sea aud the Baltic showing concu.
sively that properly constructed Notifications are sure
reliance against the most formidable fleets Tie Report
urges the Importance OF completing the Notifications in
progress, and OF making liberal appropriations for
ones. Time is necessary 10 make them efficient and il
ought 10 he done while the country in OF peace
because it cannot be done hastily except increased
pense, and then not reliably.
The Secretary asks law for liberal appropriations for
ornaments for forts improvements ia small arms aud
tie accumulation OF supplies Of ammunition. At the pre-
Of appropriations by Congress IL would reauIrc
forty years to supply each mounted piece the forts
a hundred rounds OF ammunition; but many needed
Notifications will doubtless built within that period al
its end our armament probably, would not be com
| plee than
II requires argument to show that Notifications with
out guns than useless.
The report recommends the substitution Of vroughtiror
for wooden gun carrages asks for appropriation
experiments TO determine the expediency Of mounting
certain positions covering channels guns Of large cabrc
to throw hollow ptoeciies Of great diameter and weight
containing sufficient charges OF powder render single
destructive Of any vessel which may penetrate
In order to simplify field artillery aud increase the
range and power OF that arm preparations in progress
for trial by the light artillery companies Of four batteries
Of light 2pounder to be substituted for the present
pound batteries.
The Secretary reviews his recommendation iof the es
Enlistment Of national foundry for casting guns.
The operations Of the national armies have been Iesrc
ted 10 the completion OF models for small arms anC
the alteration Of old models the ongranged Hed arms
aud to the preparations requisite for the exclusive manu-
iactue Of the adopted model which IL rihed arm
such is commonly called the Mimic rife, with an i'm
provement Of the lock after Maynards plan The aera
ton Of the common flint lock 10 the selEprming has beef
effected 10 limited extent The report recommends th
alteration 70 this model Of al the old Of the UntcC
States including those distributed the States Their
upWards of n a1tera