The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-12-24
ABSTRACT OF DEPARTMENT RE-
PORTS.
Report of the Secretary Of War. :.

men. The whole strength OF the army as posted
consists OF about 1884 men and the actual
strength on the lst Of July last WAS 1874. In
addition to the movements which the troops have
been called on to make this year. this force is call
cd on to garrison 69 permanent forts and to occu-
py 10 posts spread over aa area Of about 3,000,-
009 square miles The secretary of war thinks
that to render governmental protection to our
vast frontier and emigration perfect very large
augmentation of the army wouldnot be required
five additional regiments would answer the par-
pose, if properly pOsted-he, therefore, suggests
the propriety Of asking from Congress this in
crease.
The army has been constantly and actively en-
gagged. The India war in Florida claimed the at
tention Of strong force; exigeul affairs In Kansas
demand the presence there OF two regiments ; and,
finally, tho movement Of troops to Utah was
most serious and important undertaking.
The secretary of wac reviews the present con-
dition OF the Mormons--ther disregard of the civ
authorities Of the United States and alludcs to
the prevailing belief that they instigaled the H.
dians to hostilities against our citizens. Never
thelcss it has always been the policy and desire Of
the federal government to avoid collision with the
Mormon community. 1t has borne with their in
subordination, until at length, they stand like
lion in the pathway that leads from the Atlantic
stptes to the Pacific scaboarl. 1t was hence
thought eXpelient, during the past summer, to
send a body OF troops to Utah with the civil Of
fcer5 recently appointed to that territory. As
the intention then WAS merely to establish thes3
furctonaries in the Offices to which they had been
commissioned, and erect Utah lnto 4 geographical
military department, the force then dispatched
and now en- route to that terri 'Ory, was th0ngAt
to be amply sulii lent for those purposes. Sup
plies were abundant the position was mvora5'a e
for holding the iDdiaus in check, and it was hard
lvy within the line n reasonable m lbIiity That
tue people could pnt themselves beyond the pale
Of reconciliation with the Government BY acts o.
unprovokcl rebellion. This, however, they have
done. Great care was taion in preparing the
march to u .ah that nothing should even seem to
excite apprehension. The Instructions to the com
mandiug OH ;er werl not to allow any conflict b.
tween the troops and the people OF the territory,
except only in case he should be Gale! Oh by the
governor for soldiers to act "a a posse c0mitdtuS
in enforcing obedience to the laws. Ia conform
ity with this sentiment, an active discreet Oficar
was sent IN advance Of the ARMY to Utah, for the
purpose Of assuring the people OF the territory Of
! the peaceful intentions OF the government. This
officer found that the d1iudci p,opl. were deter
mined to resist by force If nAccSS SSary the entrance
Of the army into the valley OF Salt Lake Sap
/ plies Of every ,Ort were reuscl him alI the day
after his departure, Brigham Young issued his
proclamation substantially declaring war against
]
ttude Of affairs in Utah, and Of the importance o
promptly suppras5ing the spiri: Of rebellion there
| the secretary repeats his Recommendation for the
| immediate addition OF at least five new regiments
| 10 the service.
The secretary alules to divers defects in Tho
service which ought 10 b. renel.ei. Olc error d
the separate, independent character ., Che stall
corps This removes officers frUm their pg0pot
position ns aids or assistants TO the commander
| ,bn Nlt In
| sphere Of observation and eyp2fia1,e, ulits tht
| officer for change or advancement, and begets 4.
accumulation OF precedent and preroga'iye at va
with the vital principle OF military organization
the nv,olabll and undivided authority of til,
head. Another effect is 20 be tound in the unccT
tain and ilI-dedned rigrts OF bcevet rank an.
q still more segOls fault is the promotion by ssn
iority practice that has been abandoned even Il
the most atistoegA,ic AMI monlvchicai ua;ious-
Seniority, with the requirements osjntial Tor posi-
ton, ought certainly to give precedence, 6ut, with
out these that digniiy AMI respect which belon
to rank and command, cal never be secured. Z
correct these, and other evils. the secretary urge
Congress so to provide for the construction Of IT,
re giments Of horse, artillery, and iltAutry, t
approximate them TO the Practice Of all nation
Il long experienced in war, and SO as to atnlt thei
contraction for peace, and tha;c r2-oNPan5on i
war, without altering the basis. ials can be d0a
without any increase OF Officers o. man, or aug
mcutatlOn OF expense. TAe secretary .1coma-ul
that all the oi,3,s Of tho STAFF should be coilecte
by law into olc corps Promotion may be made
reward of merit an! an incentive 10 zoll by enact
ing that it shall take place by seniority in corp
(uuless in extraordinary cases 10 the rauk Of cGI
tGirs, and beyond that by selection from the ncS
grade in the same arm to that to be filed as Il
as colonel inclusive. Genor ! officers to be at Il
. choice Of the President, as they now are. IT.
secretary concurs with his pTeleesssorin other pr
= posed amelioraHons and especially in preparig
>, for inirm aud disabled officers a competent al
: tranquil retreat and for the unworthy substa
ta dismissal from the service.
The secretary next allUdes to the report Of Il
genera-n-chiek He tbiaEs the plan of regime
tai depots for recruiting would be highly adga
tageous. The tone of the rank and file needs el
vntion, and the habit Of employing soldiers as d'
lsborers is detrimental to the service. Promote
to commission is strongly recommended.
The secretary expresses the opinion that in 4
formation Of railroad between the Pacific al
the valley of the Mississippi the route by El Pa
would be chosen. Until then, other military roA
require special opening and occupation for q
passage aud prot,ction Of omigrauls, and for {
transportation of military sLoras. The militia
, roads already in charge of tho department a
progressing satisfactorily
u Two expeditions have been fttel out expires,
1t to explore tracts OF country hitherto wholly u
>" known, and first WAS sent TO the northwest bsyo
N the waters of tho upper Missouri, towards t
- " Black Hills aud will, no doubt, bring valuaJ
=" information. The othor IL engaged in egplori
the Colorado Of the West, of which to this tin
10 nothing scarcely has been accurately known. 7
latter may probably result in the discovery OF t
ie best means by which the transportation OF ara
te stores can be effected to the interior Of New Ne
a leo and Utah
at The secretary makes fresh alusion to the i
in portance Of establishing national foundry. I
IN report of the chief OF tbs ordinance explains
n detail the condition Of that branch Of the pub
Mt service. Its general operations have, in the ma
been satisfactory. The manufacture OF small ar
lg at the two national armorics continues with We
be much the same results as before.
to From the chief enginoer's report it appears Il
u the national sea-coast deiences are gradually,
ry certainly advancing towards completion, and wi
to finished will constitute system of maritime {
u fences formidable in extent and of great marntu