The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-09
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.


Washington, December Q, 1855.

Washington, December 3, 1855.
Sm have the honor submit the following report Of
the operations OF the army for the past year. and 10 lay be-
fore you the reports Of the heads of the several bureaus OF
the War Department and communications from other of
OF the army
The authorized strength of the army las now posted) Is
1866 officers and men, but the accompanying tables pre-
pared in the Adutanr Generals Office, show that al the
date OF the latest returns the actual strength was lb7o2
The recruiting service is progressing satisfactorily
however and Is believed that ia few months the dis
parity between The authorized and actual strength Of the
army ll5-will be nearly overcome. The number OF
enisments made during the twelve months ending Sep
tember 30 1856 The number OF persons offering 10
enlist and who refused account OF minority and
unness for service 20522 The number Of casualties
in the army by deaths discharges and deserons daring
the same period, was $500.
The very numerous applications for the discharge Of m
norsso many OF which have succeeded within the past
necessary that steps should be taken TO
check the growing evil and the expense to which
the is thereby subjected The regulations
Sufficiently stringent the subject OF the enlistment OF m
nors but recruiting officers frequently deceived by the
appearance OF the recruit and the false
spec,ng his true age In where deeptons OF this
character have been pracsed the contract should be con-
sdered binding, The recruit should be required, at the
time of enlistment that he is either Of full age
being minor, that he has neither parent guardian
modification TO this extent of the existing law respect
ing the discharge OF minors 18th section Of the act Of Sep
tember %, ls50 would il is believed lessen the mpos
tions which practised and protect the govern
ment from no inconsderable loss. ..#...
The general distribution OF the troops remains for the
most part, as indicated in the last annual report Among
the changes Of most Importance the following The
four additional regiments authorized BY the act of March
y 1855 have been recruited and organized Seven
panies Of the st cavalry have recently returned from
expedition into the Sioux country, and the regiment win
winter at Fort Leavenworth where il will be in position
for Interior operations in the spring The I'd cavalry has
been to the department of Texas replace the six
companies OF the "a dgoons transferred to the depart
ment Of the West ..... -....
The 9th infantry, (renen) designed for service in the
department of the Pacific has been mboded at Fort Mon
roc and held under instruction preparatory campaign
which was proposed it should undertake the
season would permit through the Indians the head
waters of the Missouri and tributaries OF the Columbia
river from which exhibition OF power among those
mote tribes II was expected beneficial influence
them would result but in accordance with the necessity
communicated by letter from General Wool command
ing the department of the Pacific dated November and
this day received at The War Department that regiment
viii be diverted from the proposed campaign by the
land route and he despatched with the least delay by way
of the sthmus TO reinforce the command engaged in the
suppression of Indian hostilites in Oregon.
The 10th infantry, (riemen, with the exception of
company attached the Sioux expedition has been order
ed 10 the military stations the Upper Mississippi
portion of this regiment when the admits will be
employed TO establish post the Red river OF the North
the northern boundary Of Minnesota agreeably
passed at the last session OF Congress approprang $4,000
sum altogether inadequate for that object Six compa
nes Of the I'd infantry have taken post Fort Pierre
the Upper Missouri. Continued Indian difficulties the
Oregon route have rendered II necessary retain in the
department Of the West the 9th infantry which regiment it
contemplated 10 send 10 the Pacific coast.
Efforts still in progress for the removal of the
nant of the Seminole tribe from Florida The troops there
have been kept actively employed in exploring the country
by land and water and IN opening roads BY these
much important information respecting the territory in
possession of the Indians has been gained which will
greatly facilitate future operations All intercourse with
these Indians has been strictly prohibited and II s believed
that they have not in any instance passed the line Of
servation occupied by the troops.
In the departments of the West Texas New Mexico and
the Pacific Indian bosles have been OF frequent occur
renee.
For the purpose OF chassng the Sioux Indians impli-
Gated Ia the massacre OF detachment Of United States
troops in August OF last year. and TO protect from Indian
inCursions the frontiers Of Nebraska and Kansas
and the emgant routes leading from the Missouri river
the west military force sent into the country inhabited
by the Sioux late ia the summer under the command Of
Brcyet Brgader General Harvey. On the Sd Of Septem
Der that officer with portion Of his command engaged
party OF the Brue band Of the Sioux nation and, after a
short conflict completely routed them Eighty-sx In
dians were killed. aud large number taken prisoners
The papers and property captured leave doubt that
this band was concerned in the massacre Of the deach
nent above referred well In the murders and dep
relations committed upon ergrans aud in the robbery
Of the public mail
In the departments Of Texas New Mexico and the Pa
chic, military expeditions have been sent against the In
dans guilty OF outages upon the persons and property
the frontier inhabitants and emgrants within those sec
tons OF country and In several summary punishment
has been inflicted by the troops upon the offending tribes
The details Of these operations will be found in the
papers accompanying this report
The mail steamer just arrived New York has brought
adYice from The department OF the Pacific to November
5h, by which regret 70 learn that Indian hositics Of
much serious character than the difficulties in that
department, referred 10 above than from the official
reports previously received there had been reason TO ap
preend have occurred in the Territories Of Oregon and
Washington, The letters Of the governor Of the Territory
Of October a. and Of the commanding general OF the de-
p,rtment OF the Pacific Of November 3 Of which copies
herewith submitted furnish the only official Informs
ton the subject in the possession Of this department
will be perceived that 10 the emergency the governor
has ordered out mounted volunteer force Of seventeen
companies or about 200 men.
The department at this distance and in the absence of
more definite information especially in regard the
tent Of the combination among the hostile tribes cannot
Judge what volunteer renorcemen the regular troops
may be necessary. This matter which be neces-
sary eft 10 the military commander in the department Of
the Pacific who has repaired 10 the theatre OF oscs
His presence there will obyiate difficulties which might
otherwise arise the subject Of rank and command be
tween officers Of the volunteers and regular forces
The ascrty with which the volunteers have responded
TO the call OF Governor Curry gives that their
aid viii be as Efficient II has been prompt and II
hoped that their continuance IN the military service to the
great interruption OF their ordinary pursuits will be linz
tied to the shortest possible duration by the arrival Of rein
tocemeus which have been ordered the regular troops
Of that department.
From recent report Of the commanding general Of the
department OF New Mexico II appears that a the Indian
tribes within his command have concluded treaties with
the governor Of the Territory and retired the limits
signed them.
Service in Indian campaigns though little calculated TO
excite the military ardor Of the soldier is attended by
equal hazard and by greater prvaon than belongs
TO warfare With civilized foe The galantry ZEAL aud
devotion Of both officers and have been repeatedly
within the last year. put TO the test they
all such occasions equaed the ancipatons which past
conduct warranted and have renewed their claim the
gratitude Of those whose flag they bear and in whose
vice they have suffered.
extent Tho lotaitod