New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-12-13

The authorized strength Of the army, as posted is
Is l6j but the actual strength on July LIST was IL
49s. These troops compose the whole numerical
force Of our army, distributed through the States
and Territories Of the entire COnederacg, manning
all the Notifications occupied by troops, holding all
posts now garrisoned, defending all our extended
frontiers and protecting, as tar as possible the diff
ferent routes extending across the continent, from
the Mississippi Valley to our possessions on the Pa
cilic,
The absolute demands for men in the various posts,
stations etc. as well for what might be termed the
police operations Of the army left only thirteen regi-
ments for actual service in the field And upon this
small force. numbering little over ll0OO men, de-
VOWED the ardGOus duty of prosecuting all the Indian
wars which have extended this year from the British
possessions on the Pacific to the border settlements OF
Mexico as well as of crushing the rebellion in Utah
which from its vindiCtiye 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 space of
time, marches and movements Of such extent sur
mounting in their progress such formidable obstacles
No disaster has beallen the army throughout its i'm.
mense ramifcations. and the prvatlons, hardShps,
! tolls and dangers 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 permanent peace
has been established by treaties entered into with
| them and the army has been already distributed to
/ points where the presence OF a force was greatly
4 needed. In abiding to the AayaJ0s, he says they
probably number 900 mounted warriors, an eN'
tremey formidable force; but there shall be no relax
alton in prosecuting the war until the sayages are
brought absolutely under the yoke The arin Texas
may be looked upon as just begun, and the prObabl
ties are it will be Of ferCeneSs, and may he oil con
] siderable duration.
Much apprehensions for the hostile manifestations
of the sayages beyond the confines of Iowa aud Min
nesota has been felt by the frontier settlements o.
these States The Secretary regrets to say cur ofet
is not sufficient to spare troops III soch numbers q
will uuiet altogether these alarms.
The operations Of the army in Utah have in them
selves been important and traught with mOmentous
results The people of that Territory, however, stu
evince spirit of INSTRUMENTATION and moody dlscon
tent. The necessity which called Iofth me pfese4e
of the troops in Utah will require strong force still
to be kept there. Much praise is bestowed upot
Gen. Johnston and the officers and troops under hl
command. ..,,.
The disbursements amount to nearly SlO,O6OQ00 II
the Quartermaster's Department. Every voucher ha
been fled, with the exception OF S2eOOOO' Nothing
will be lost.
AS to the artillery school of practice at Fort Mon
roe, so long an object desired among the military mel
of the country, this, the Secretary says, mas neel
established and bids fair to realise all the benefits
the service which its friends anticipated.
He calls attention to the necessity OF providing 10
the payment Of claims brought against the Govern
ment by different States and Territories Tor service
heretofore rendered by volunteer forces in the SUP
} preston of IndanhUStilities.
The Secretary says he has attempted, as lar as pos
sible to meet the just wishes OF Congress IN reduclh
G the expenses and the estimates OF tile next hsct
wear are less than the appropriations for the last
e the sum of 50 100 AIS. They less than the est
mates laid before Congress at the last session by IN
sum of s. 40S. They amount IN the agSTegal
f to SIS OIO $50 and he eHerains strong hope tht
the expenditure may be still further reduced IN I'll
J. course OF another year
1t affords him pleasure to say, that notwithstanding
S the Indian wars in Washington New Mexico an
Texas, all Of which were unforeseen and unexpected
Il UIllaa he