The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-16
TWO CENTS.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL-INcHLEE
HEADQuARTERs or THE ARaY,
New York NoY. IL. 1853.


era the object of this my annual report being to offer
remarks the services general condition,
and wants of the army. The annexed general order
(No 22) will illustrate, in instances, (omitting
many the extraordinary ZEAL activity. patient endu-
rance and prowess habituay displayed by the troops
officers and menn the pepetually recurring wars with
the Indians about border settlements. Thus, with
average effective force of tny ten thousand men,
elusive recruits in depot and in route less by at least
three regiments than is needed the army has been for
years in nearly all its parts almost constantly engaged
in the pursuit of enemies in daily expectation OF
being called upon to repeat such services This state of
excessive activity, fatigue, and hardship has led to
cessve losses from disease and deserton than from
battles combats; the greater part Of which may be
primarily attributed TO deficiency IL numbers.
This want of troops TO give reasonable security to
citizens in distant settlements including emgrans
the plains scarcely be too strongly stated but will
only add that often have been Obliged 10 with
draw troopsom frontier in order to reinforce another
the weakened points have been instantly attacked
threatened with formidable invasion Minnesota, Arizo-
ma and the northern frontiers Of Texas and Arkansas have
recently supplied striking illustrations of this fact
For the happy conclusion of long standing Indian
troubles in Florida much credit is due TO the energy and
Judgment of Colonel Loomis the last commander in that
In New Mexico Brevet Brigadier General Garland an
intelligent and enerprising commander, has used his
limited force to the best advantage in Furnishing hostile
and in keeping in check turbulent Indians besides de-
taching very handsome support, in the bandsomest
Manner to the Utah army in its cmbarrassnens of the
last winter. Colonel Bonneville who has recently
ceeded General Garland in this command is carrying
out the views of the latter with like and
The cheerfuness and efficiency of the Utah army
der its very able commander Brevet Bgader General
Johnston notwithstanding its difficult marches and
voabe prvaons, have for it large portion of the
admiration of the country.
In Texas, Brevet Major General Twiggs has with his
usual ability made the most effective disposition of the
force at his command resulting already in substantial
and brilliant success which he proposes follow up if
u
In the Pacific department, Bevet Brigadier General
Clarke, the commander, has displayed energy and
Judgment worthy OF high commendation- Upon the first
news Of recent hosttes in that quarter his
rapidly and wisely taken Troops and supplies
promptly assembled the theatre Of operation and
under his Immediate direction two cousnns, commanded
by Colonel Wright and Major Garne respectively
organized and put in motion against the enemy Success
syc victories have already caused most of the hostile
bands to disperse for peace, which, doubt will
be established. learn in the act of signing
this report, that my prediction is history
The department of the West has recently been COM
manded, in succession, by Brigader General Harvey
Colonel Sumner and Colonel Francis Lee. Garrisons
have been established and strengthened in it, along the
emigrant to the West and for months column of
cavalry was kept in movement the plains to
disaected tribes The troops in Minnesota and on the
Upper Missouri have all continued to render valuable SER
vice in restraining the Indians from commit ding massacres
and depredations in that quarter.
On the many and formidable rowing tribes this side
of and on the Rocky Mountains not in open hostility, but
relations would have called for direct punishment
great moral effect has been incidentally produced by
display of force in the direction of Utah. These large
moving columns have been seen and the power of the
United States to little extent for the first time in
those Tegions estimated and feared Such displays often
repeated and in sufficient numbers combined with Seats
of like those set forth in the annexed order can
alone give the security to frontiers for which
is held responsible.
From the distribution of the troops into fragments an
increase of the regular medical officers has become ne
cessty Sometimes private physicians may be hired but
not always and rarely the required science and expe
ricnce at extravagant rates of compensation No
less than six posts in single department have been re-
Gently reported to as without medical officer
must also again beg attention to the miserable state
OF the barracks or quarters at nearly all permanent
Notifications and posts Health and efficiency well us
comfort must be sacrificed where strict attention is not
given to the lodgings of men.
Incessant calls for renforcements received from the
frontiers compel habtually forward recruits without
the instruction that should precede service in the field
and on joining their regiments perhaps in the act of
pursuing an enemy it is long before the deficiency can
be supplied. The want of this instruction has always
been felt in combats notwithstanding the usual galanry
of the troops As it is longer difficult fill our ranks
by enistmens, 1t would he highly desirable to detan
the recruits sufficiently long for instruction larger
depo especially those destined for the mounted service
but again. this cannot be done without additional
regiments.
The institution of the artillery school al Fort Monro-
will leave nothing to be desired for thar a~~
we shall be at liberty to withdraw l~ an, N after
additional companies thsoe' ooh are needed Iu re
school WI shen ooisit j eight sonpane two from each
cow -.lnating every two years with some other
tanes of their regiment. Thus, with two mounted
companies, onethr of each artillery regiment would Mt
all times be engaged in acquiring, with the best help the
difficult theory and practice of artillery while the other
two thirds would in emergencies be available for infantry
service heretofore For such instruction there will he
required as the department is aware appropriation to
add to the government lands about Fort Monroe or ex
of field batteries and long heavy gns)