The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-13
I'll & AMY.
Annual Report OF the Secretary OF War.


Annual Report OF the Secretary OF War.
WAR DKPARrkKST I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1857.
smI have the honor 10 submit the following report OF
sAs condition and operations OF the army during the past
year
The army consists Of nineteen regiments divided into
Ten of infantry four Of artillery of dragons two OF
cavalry and of mounted rnemen. The whole strength
81 The army posted consists Of about II 1854 men, and
,he actual strength the first Of July last Is 64
In addition to movements which the troops have been
called on 10 make this year which set forth in sepa
rate paper prepared by the Aauan General and here
with transmitted this force is called upon to garrison IS
forts Of large and permanent character so far at least
possible 10 supply men tor the purpose; and to
occupy 10 posts less permanently established where the
presence of force absolutely required The area over
which these forts and posts spread embraces circuit
Of about 900 square miles and requires Journey OF
many thousand miles TO visit the principal ones OF them
The external boundary of our country, requiring
throughout more or less vgiant military supervision,
IL 900 miles in length presenting every variety OF ell
and temperature, from the nclement cold OF our
Canada the tropical regions of southern Texas
But the occupation Of this long line Of frontier ritng
difficulty in comparison with that of protecting the double
line OF Indian frontier extending from the Lake OF tne
Woods TO the banks OF the Rio Grande the east side Of
Rocky Mountains and from beyond the river Oregon
on the British frontier the head Of the Gulf Of Calfor
ma the western slope Of those mountains Superadd
ded these lines requiring to be occupied are the great
lines Of INSTRUMENTATION between the valley OF the
Mississippi and the Pacific ocean, which mperatvely de-
mand that protection which only the United States troops
furnish. These lines very long, and are now
extremely important whilst every year renders them
and From our Western frontier OF settle
mepts 10 those Of Northern Oregon the distance about
500 miles; from the frontier the settlements of
California via Salt Lake 500 miles; from the IRON
of Arkansas at Fort Smith by Albuquerque or santa
Fe 10 Fort TETON about 700 miles; and from San
Antonio Fl Paso San Diego near the borders OF the
white settlements, is 400 miles, constituting an aggre
gate line of 700 miles which ought TO be occupied and
which pretend, in some sort, TO keep open and de-
fend.
shan any arguments could do the absolute necessity for
an increase Of the army.
The poIcy of our government and the spirit of peo
pie are alike opposed to large standing army and very
properly So but an army needful at all should be
organized such manner as 70 answer the purposes for
which required Its numbers should correspond with
the service it is intended to perform. If from any dis
proportion this respect stops short of efficiency it
becomes insignificant and entails upon the country ex
pendtures wholly incommensurate with any service II
will not be denied that an army properly organized
and Of sufficient strength constitutes at the cheapest
and efficient means by which the indispensable ser
designed to perform can be secured by the gov
eminent. .
There no substitute for army and to render it at
economical and efficient adequate numbers are es.
senta If there higher duty than another deyoved
upon well regulated government t. anord perfect
protection TO its citizens against outrage and personal yo
government the United States For large portion OF the
year scarcely week elapses without bringing TO us intel
Lgence Indian massacre or outrage more shock
ing than death ITSELF and most frequently happens that
unpublished altogether either from the want
of troops pursuit from their remoeness from the
scenes Of slaughter, which renders pursuit useless
In former times when the hardy pioneer
alured away from the line OF white settlements by
fertile lands alone he scarcely ventured far be
beyond succor and protection from those he left behind
different is the state of things at present Our Pa
cite settlements with their great Inducements of
rich lands salubrous climate, and fabulous mineral
treasures, present to the inhabitants Of the Allan
tic States temptations TO emigration which the
prvations Of an intervening wilderness and desert and
continual danger from rowing bands OF savages hanging
upon their march for many hundred miles together, can
not deter them from undertaking; This migration
strengthens the natural ties between the Atlantic and Pa
cnc states and adds immensely to the defensive strength
OF that remote region Justice and humanity alike de-
mand protection for these emgrants AZ the hands OF ours
government
To render governmental protection vast frontier
and emigration perfect very large augmentation OF the
army would not be required Five additional regiments
would answer the purpose, II properly posted.
will be seen from paper carefully prepared from re-
liable data by the Adutant General that no increase of
forces is Efficient or near so cheap as the augmen
taton Of our regular army
hut near 10 the Indians usual habitatons, placed
AT convenient distances and suitable positions, and
restraint upon the tribes who would feel that foray
by their warriors upon the white settlements would meet
with prompt retaliation upon their own homes. In addi
son 10 ms means OF defence there should be concentrated
along our frontier at eligible points large bodies OF
Efficient horse all or any portion OF which could upon me
10 punish aggression repess any spirit OF nsubordina
ton These cantonments for cavalry should be esab.
lshed points where corn and hay are abundant ana
CHEAP The present favorable period for the choice OF
permanent locations for the reason that upon large por
Ton Of our northwest frontier particularly settlements
have nearly reached the limits Of cutvable lands beyond
which while there spots OF rich soil and toeraoe pas
turagc they not sufficient for extended settlemem
Hence there 10 likelihood Of military stations beng lett,
as heretofore the heart Of thckv populated country,
after the lapse q a very few years The posts selected IN
The manner now indicated would become useless only
when The Indian tribes ceased 10 be formidable or dap
pear altogether for they would be upon the line Of per
naneui frontier which has now been reached
The concentration Of thsee large bodies OF horse at ell
rble points upon borders would have the eesl nu
both upon the discipline and effectiveness OF the
CORPS Throughout the winter, when field operations
were impossible the men could be perfectly drilled, and
the horses would be put IN complete order Tor tho most
ar,ye and arduous service IN the earliest spring This
double line a defence would constitute perfect protec
fon o. the settlements In the fret place and would soon
prove far the most economical system Of frontier protec
Ton because would greatly diminish AMI cheaper the
Transportation Of military stores and munitions OF war,
Which the chief source Of our most unsatisfactory
frontier expenditure The infantry stations would not
necessarily be large and supplies could be furnished them
from convenient points at very moderate rates
For these reasons, and many others which reashy sug
ges themselves venture ~ submit 70 YOU the proprety
IL ask ng from Congress increase OF the army am
strengthened in my convictions Of ts propriety
from the recommendations Of my predecessor, whose
thorough knowledge Of the army aud ts requirements
give opinions great weight and from the recommenda
tscus also u the general. in chief
The army has been very actively and constantly en-
gaged tho performance n arduous and important duties
Tie Indian Florida claimed the attention OF strong
force composed mainly Of the 9TH infantry and fourth
artillery during the spring aud early part of the summer.
This has been prosecuted with all the vigor which
character Of the country ana that OF the eueny would
admit o. The country Is perpetual succession OF
swanps and morssses almost impenetrable aud the In
dans parke rather Of the nature OF beasts Of the chase
thar Of men capable q resisting IN fight military
Their only strength lies IN capacity 70 elude pursuit
Exgeni affairs in the west demanded the removal Of
e two regiments from Florida 10 the Territory Of Kansas
hut they have been replaced by volunteers and the pur
u ~ The Indians has been continued by the latter troops
up 70 the present time The services rendered by these
volunteer troops have been spoken Of in terms Of mered
commentator IN the reports of officers in command.
Two very important and momentous subjects forced
eka The Of
early period o. my ncumbency These were the compli
cations growing of the troubles in the Territory OF
Kansas and the st involved and difficult relations
horne by the Territory Of Utah towards this government
The alter has recently assumed very Threatening att
iudt q which will presently speak
The very ANXIOUS aud representations OF danger
o. To- public peace which were made ny the Governor
at kausas growing out a. corporations between the
different political parties there, and bis earnest ca for
large toty Of rooTs required the transfer of the
tenth regimen, = infantry aud the fours regiment 81