The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16
REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.
WAR DEPARTMENT. |

The authorized strength of the army as post
ed, is l8, l65, but the actual strength on July
was IL ,49S. These troops compose the whole
numerical force of our army distributed Though
the States and Territories of the entire Confed-
eracy, manning all the Notifications occupied
by the troops holding all posts now garrisoned,
defending all our extended frontiers and pro-
tecting, as far as possible, the different routes
extending across the continent, from the Mssis-
sippi valley to our possessions on the Pacific.
The absolute demands for men In the various
posts, stations, &c. as well as for what might
be termed the police operations of the army,
left only thirteen regiments for actual service
in the field. And upon this small force, num-
bering little over l 600 men, devolved the ardu-
GUS duty of prosecuting all the Indian wars,
which have extended this year from the British
possessions on the Pacific to the border settle
ments of Mexico as well as of crushing the re-
bellion in Utah. which, from its vindictive spirit
and large numbers, threatened at its outset To
become, and indeed was, very formidable.
1t may safely be asserted that no army of the
same size ever before performed, in SO short a
space of time, marches and movements of such
extent surrounding in their progress such for
mdable obstacles. No disaster has befalen
the army throughout its immense rami6catiOns
and the privatiOns, hardships, tolls, and dan
gers, to which it has been continually subjected
| have been borne without murmur.
In speaking of the war with the Indians on
| the Pacific, the Secretary says that perma-
nent peace has been established by treaties en-
tered into with them, and the army has been
already distributed to points where the presence
kof force was greatly needed. In abiding to
| the NavajOs, he says they probably number
1900 mounted warriors-an extremely form-
dable force but there shall be no relaxation in
/ Al. Al
brought absolutely under the yoke. The war
in Texas may be looked upon as Just begun
and the probabilities are it will be one of fierce
ness, and may be of considerable duration.
Much apprehension for the hostile manifesto
| tons of the savages beyond the confines of
Iowa and Minnesota has been felt by the
frontier settlements of those States. The
Secretary regrets to say our force is not sufh
cient to spare troops in such numbers as will
quiet altogether these alarms.
The operations of the army i'll Utah have in
themselves been important and fraught with
niomentous results The people Of that Terri
tory, however, still evince a spirit of insubordi
nationand moody discomfort. The necessity
which called forth the presence of the troops in
Utah will require strong force still to be kept
there. Much praise is bestowed upon General
Johnston, and the officers and troops under his
command.
The disbursements amount to nearly
S 10, 200. 900 in the Quartermasters department
Every voucher has been filed, with the excep-
ton of $290,OO0. Nothing will be lost.
AS to the Artillery School of Practice at Fort
Monroe, so long an object desired among the
military men Of the country, this, the Secretary
says, has been established, and bids fair to re
alize all the benefits to the service which its
friends anticipated
He calls attention to the necessity of prov
ding for the payment of claims brought against
the Government by different States and Terri
tories for SERVERS heretofore rendered by voun-
| ieer forces III the suppression vi Indian hostl
The Secretary says he has attempted, as far
as possible, to meet the just wishes ofCongress in
reducing the expenses and the estimates of the
next fiscal year are less than the appropriations
for the last by the sum of SO, 100, 4S8. They are
less than the estimates laid before Congress at
the last session by the sum of 81, 1856 40S. They
amount in the aggregate to $lS,0l0,090 and
he entertains a strong hope that the eXpendi
ture may be still further reduced, in the course
Of another year.
1t affords him pleasure to say that nOtwith
standing the Indian wars in Washington, New
Mexico, and Texas, all of which were unfore
seen and unexpected, unless there shall be fur
| Their and larger demands for expenditures in
suppressing other Indian hostlities, there will
be no necessity for asking appropriations in the
| shape of deficiency bill.