Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-08
Report OF tho Secretary of War.

This ls a very Interesting document OF SIX.
teen pages [, starts ont with the statement
that the actual numerical strength OF the
Army was but II ,19S, on the lst OF July
last, which il distributed throughout the
Union, manning all the posts, defending all
the frontiers, protecting as far as possible,
the routes across the interior, and contend.
ing with the hostile Indians. The demand
for men at the stations, and for what may be
termed the police duties Of the army, leave
only thirteen regiments, or about ll,OUO men
of this force for active field duty. Within
the year. this force has marched, 90 an aver
age, 1924 miles, through uninhsbi!ed soli-
tudes aud sterile deserts, Tor the most part,
carving with them every item of supply.
The report next proceeds to state the specl-
fic operations of the army during the year,
and gives the names oil those officers who
performed ssryices especially merltorlous.-
The var 10 New Mexico with the Camanches,
the Secretary regards as just begun. The
report is accompanied by map showing all
the military posts and roads IN the uninbab'
tied interior, thus giving more adequate
idea Of the service performed than could well
be otherwise conveyed, end being convent
eut, also, for reference.
The chapter on Utah reoounts the parlicu-
lars of the campaign to limited extent. aud
urges that the Mormons are now IN condl
ton of Involuntary submission, and tina. the
nresepce of an armed force Is necessary to
keep them in cheek. They still continue
their organization, and the Federal authority
il alleged to be excluded from all part'c;pa-
ton 10 the governmental affairs OF the Terri
tory. beyond mere hollow show. In this
con ection the haz ardous march Of Capt. L..
B. Marcy from Fort Bridger to New Mexico,
is com mented on at considerable length, and
that officer and his command receive the
highest eooomiums for their intrepldity and
courage.
10 referring to the Quartermsster's Bu'
reau, the Secretary states that II the apprI"
pristions granted by Congress 10 June last,
could have been obtained In January at least
25 per cent. Of tie ex. end!tures tor tie Inr-
chase OF plies for the Utah expedition coGid
have been saved. As 1t was, IN order 10
start the expedition at seasonable time
the purchases bad to be made under the d's'
advantages Of credit, or with money obtained
from private sources The disbursements
amount to nearly $4,000 900 dtrlng the
veal; and yet every account has been closed
and the vouchers flied, except for SO ooo'
not vet received. on account OF the distance
of the oHicer making tho disbursement, from
the seat Of Government. The Secretary taxes
occasion to relieve this bureau from uuJust
apimadversions, by stating that, whilst pay
meats are necessarily made through Its seer-
cy, it has no voice in directing when, now OF
to " hat extent, they shall be made IN the
Conmissary's Bureau there Was no inane-
oosey of funds, and supplies OF better goa
ity were purchased, at lower rater, thar i'f
years past.
The Secrets ~ recommends, as measure
of economy, tue increase Of the army; aud
also 90 increase of the national defences, by
a gradual process. but thinks thstit Is ineum'
bent upon the Governmsn. to SECURE eligible
locations for their erection, as early Is posi-
bic, before private enterprise shall avail OK
them for other purposes. Lorg chapters
are devoted to sumn aries Of Operations ia
the eous,ruction of military roads, and con-
ductir explorations and surveys. The in-
mediate introdu ction OF thousand csmels,
for transporting troops aud baggage over the
plains, is recommended, as measure OF wise
economy. II gnly beneficial results are be-
Iieysd 70 bs sltsipable BY the oon'ersion OF