The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-07
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Abstract OF the Report Of the Secretary q
War.

Abstract OF tine kSepOTt Oh tne secretary Oh
War.
The authorized strength OF the army, posted is 49,
1856 but the actual strength July 749s These
troops compose the whole numerical force Of our army
distributed through the States Territories of the entire
troops holding all posts garrsoned defending all
extended frontiers and protecting far possible the
different routes extending the continent from the
Mississippi valley to our possessions on the Pacific
The absolute demands for men in the various posts sta
tons &c well as for what might be termed the police
operations Of the army left only thirteen regiments Tor
actual service in the bcd. And upon this small force,
numbering little over ii 900 men, dovolved the arduos
duty Of prosecuting MI the Indian wars which have
tended this year from the British possessions on the Pacific
10 the border settlements oil Mexico well as OF crushing
the rebellion In Utah which, from its vindctve spirit and
large numbers threatened at its outset to become, and,
indeed, was, very formidable.
II may safely b. asserted that army OF the same
size before performed in short space Of time,
marches and movements OF such extent, surrounding in
their progress such formidable obstacles No disaster
has bcfalen the army throughout its immense ramiDca
TONS and the prvatons hardshs tolls and dangers TO
which has been continually subjected have been borne
without mnrmar
In speaking Of the war with Indians the Pacific,
the Secretary says that permanent peace has been cs
tablshcd by treaties entered into with thcm and the
army has been already distributed To points where the
presence of force greatly needed in abiding To
the Navaos he says they probably number 600 mounted
warriors EXTREMITY formidable force bat there shall be
relaxation in prosecuting the war until the savages are
brought absolutely under the yoke. The war IN Texas
be looked upon lust begun, and the probabilities
will be Of crccness and may be OF considerable
duration.
Much apprehension for the hostile manifestations OF the
sayages beyond the confines OF Iowa and Anncsol has
been felt by the frontier settlements of these States The
Secretary regrets force is not sufficient TO spare
troops in such numbers as will quiet altogether these
alarms.
The operations Of tue army Utah have in themselves
been important, and traught with momentcus results.
The people Of that Territory however st eynce spirit
of characterization and moody dscontent The necessity
which called forth the presence OF the troops IN Utah will
require strong force still 10 be kept there Much praise
is bestowed upon General Johpson and the officers and
troops under his command
The disbursements amount 10 nearly $40 900 900 in the
Quartermaster's Department. Every voucher has been
Lied with the exception Of S2so,oeo. Nothing vii, he
lost
As 10 the artillery school Of practice Fort Monroe,
long object desired among the military men ot the
country, this the Secretary has been established
bids fair 10 realize all the benefits H. the service which
its friends anticipated.
lie calls attention 10 the necessity OF providing for the
payment OF claims brought against the government by
different States and Territories for services heretofore
dered by volunteer forces in the suppression OF Indian
hostlltics.
The Secretary lac has attempted FAR possible
10 lust wishes of Congress reducing tho
pepscs the estimates of the next fiscal year less
than the appropriations for the last by the Of 80 leo
4ss. They less than the estimates laid before Con
gress the last by the Of s2T36 40s They
IN the aggregate to sis 900 and he enter
strong hope that the expenditure may be sl fur
ther reduced the OF another year.
affords him peaSure 10 say that, Notwithstanding the
iniaD in Washington, New Mexico aud Tcxas--al
uf which unforeseen and uncxpecteduness there
shall be further and larger demands expenditures in
cessty Tor asking appropriations in the shape of def
cheney bill.