The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-17
REPORT OF THE GENERAL.IN-CHIEF.

New York Nov IS. 1858.
SIR: The tables giving the number and dist hution of
our troops will laid you by Adutan General
the object this, my annual report being to offer
remarks or the recent services general condition.
wants the army The annexed general order (No 22
will illustrate, in instances tomittng many the
extraordinary zeal activity patient endurance, ana
proves habtualy displayed by the troOpotcers and
men-n perpetualy recurring with the Indians
border settlements Thus, with an average eff
fective of (say ten thousand men, exclusive of
depot and in route less by at least three regi
ments is needed the army has been for years in
nearly all its parts almost constantly engaged in the pur
suit of enemies or Ill daily expectation OF oelng called
upon repeat such services This state of excessive
tvity fatigue and hardship has led to excessive losses
more and deserton than from battles
bats the or, part of which may be primarily atribu
ted to de fciencyin NUMBERS
This of troops to give reasonable security to our
citizens in settlements, including emgr
the plains scarcely he strongly stated but will
only add that often as we nave been Obliged to with
troops from frontier in order to reinforce anoh-
err the weakened points have been instantly attacked or
threatened with formidable invasion. Minnesota, Arizo
ma and northern frontiers of Texas and arkansas
have recently supplied striking illustrations of this fact
For the happy conclusion of long standing Indian rou-
bles in Florida much credit is due to the energy and
Judgment Colonel Loomis the last commander in that
In New Mexico Brevet Brigadier General Garland,
intelligent and enterprising commander has used his lin
ited force to the best advantage in furnishing hostile and
in keeping check turbulent Indians besides detacing
very handsome support in the handsOmest manner, to
tbe Utah army in its embarrassments winter
Colonel Bonneville who has recently succeeded General
Garland in this command is carrying out the views OF
the latter with like perseverance and success
The cheerfulness and efficiency ofthe Utah army under
its very able commander Brevet Brgadier General John
son Notwithstanding its difficult marches and unavoda
BILE prvatons have won for 1t large portion oil the ad
miration of the country.
In Texas Brevet Major General Twiggs has, with his
usual ability made the effective disposition Of the
force at his comman resulting already in substantial
and brilliant which he proposes to follow up if
necessary, in winter campaign.
In the Pacific department. Brevct Brigadier General
Clarke the commander has displayed an energy and
Judgment worthy of high commendation. Upon the first
news of recent hoses in that quarter his measures
were rapidly and wisely taken Troops and supplies
promptly assembled the theatre of operation, and
under his immediate direction, columns, commanded
bv Colonel Wright and Major Garnett respectively,
organized put in motion against the enemy Success
sye victories have already caused most of the hostile
bands to disperse or for peace which, doubt, will
soon be reesabshed learn, in the act of sig ing this
! report, that my prediction is now history
| The department of the West has recently been com
manded in succession, by Brgadier General llarney
| Colonel Sumner, and Colonel Francis Lee Garrisons
have established and strengthened in it, along the
emigrant route West and for months column Of
cavalry kept in movement on the plains to overawe
disaected tribes The troops in Minnesota and on the
Upper all continued to render valuable
vice restraining the Indians from committing
and depredatOns in that quarter
On the many formidable rowing tribes this side
of and on the Rocky Mountains not in open hostility but
yet doubtful menacing dispositions and whose dep
relations would have called for direct punishment
great moral effect has been incidentally produced by our
display in the direction of Utah These large mo-
wing columns have been SEEN and the power the unted
States little for the first time in those
gons estimated and feared Such displays often repeat
and in sufficient numbers combined with eats OF arms
like those forth in the annexed order alone give
the security frontiers for which the army is held
From the distribution of the troops into fragments
increase of the regular medical officers has become ne
cessty Sometimes private physicians may be hired hut
not always rarely of the required science and exe
rience at eXtravagant rates of compensation Nc
less than six posts in single department have been re
| Gently reported to me as without a medical officer
must also again beg attention to the miserable state
the barracks or quarters at nearly fort
fcaons and posts Health and efficiency well as com
fort must be sacrificed where src attention Is not gVei
to the lodgings of men. ,
frontiers compel habitually to forward recruits wthou
the instruction that should precede service in the ed
and, on joining their regiments perhaps IN te c' o. T
suing enemy it is long before the deficiency can ID
supplied The want of this instruction has always peel
felt in combat Notwithstanding the usual gallanry OF tn
troops As it is longer difficult to fill our ranks by EN-
lsments it would be highly desirable to detan the re
cruits sufficiently long for instruction at our large
depots especially those destined for the mounted service
but again. this cannot be done without some addtiona
The institution of the artillery school at Fort
will leave nothing be desired for that after shall
be at liberty withdraw from the field the additions
companies tthreel which are needed The school vii
then consist of eight companies two from each regiment
alternating every two with other companies
> their regiment Thus with two mounted COMPANIES one
) third of each artillery regiment would all times
gagged in acquiring with the best help the difficult theor
and practice of artillery while the other twottrs wouI
in emergencies be available for infantry service hereto
fore For such instruction there will be required
department is aware an appropriation add the
ernment lands about Fort Monroe flor exercise el
batteries and long of heavy guns)
Is can receive its full development. Without waiting fc
ID has been commenced under Colonel Brown the superb
tendent, and its is already satisfactory.
There in the circumstances our service no
bic distinction between the three recognised
n mounted rifemen Dragons and cavalry if indeed tt
law intended any between the two latter. Their fields
operation and duties generally respects the
and whatever variations exist in uniform equpme
r only to create Inconvenience and expense. Their
fore recommend that the three corps be consolidated
tie one line of cavalry regiments tive for the tactics
IN equipment of which suggest that the experience of
select board of cavalry officers be consulted
1t is my duty to present the fact that reports
me from some quarters of the injurious effects upon di
Mt cpne produced by the neglect of the law requiring thu
the troops shall be paid at least in two months it
ing understood that the pay department has not the
Der OF deputies necessary to approach regularity at an
- of the more distant posts Dunkenness disorders and
sertions the consequences of the larger pay mem
e which are made at long intervals
5. have the honor to be, sir, with high respect 20
obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
3 To Hon. JOHN B. FLOYD Secretary of War
Id The Georgia Legislature adjourned sine die
,r Sunday morning. The closing session OF the Sena
hn,s