Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-12
Abstract of the Report of the Secretary of


 The authorized strength of the army. as posted, IS l8,165, but the actual strength on Jniy l, was II, ,490. These troops compose the whole numerical force of our army, distrituted ] through the states and territories of the entire coniederacy, manning all the Notifications oc. cupied by troops, holding all posts now earris- oned, defending all our extended frontiers. and protecting as far as possible, the different routes extending across the continent, from the Mis-. sssppl valley to our possessions on the Paci. | fc.
 The absolute demands for men in the yarious posts, stations, etc, as we'll as for what miqht De termed the police operations of the army. lett only thirteen regiments for actual service in the heid. And upon this small force. number. ing httle over OOO men, devolved the arduous duty of prosecuting all the Indian wars. which have extended this year from the British DOS sessions on the Pacific to the border settlements of Mexico, as well as of crushing the rebellion m Utah, which, from its vindictive spirit and large numbers, threatened at its outset to be- come ana, indeed, was, very formidable. It may safely be asserted that no army of the same size ever before performed in so short a space of tune, marches and movements of such extent, surmounting in their progress such for mldaple obstacles No disaster has befallen the army throughout its immense notifications. and the prlvations hardships, tolls and dangers to which It has been continually subjected have been borne without murmur.
 ln speaking of the war with the Indians on the faclnc, the secretary says thata permanent peace has been established dy treaties entered into With them, and the army has been already distributed to points where the presence of a force was greatly needed. In alludiny to the NavaJos, he says they probably number 5000 mounted warriors, an extremely formidable force; but there shall be no relaxation in prose- cutting the war until the savages are brought absolutely under the yoke. The war in Texas may be looked upon as just begun, and the probabilities are 1t will be one of fierceness, and may be of considerable duration.
 Much apprehension for the hostile manifesto tons of the savages beyond the confines of Iowa and Of these states. The secretary re- srets to say our force Is not sufficient to spare troops n such numbers as will quiet altogether these alarms
 The operations of the army in Utah have in themselves been important, and fraueht with momentus results The people of that territo- fy, however still evlnce spirit of nsubordi- hatlon and moody dlscontent. The necessity when called forth the presence of the troops in Utah will require strong force still to be kept there.
 Much praise is bestowed upon Gen. Johnston and the officers and troops under his command.
 The disbursements amounts to nearly SlO. OOO,OOO in the quarter masters department.- Eevery voucher has been filed, with the ex- ception of $280OOO. 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 real ize all the benefits to the service which ifs friends anticipated.
 lie calls attention to the necessity of provi1ino for the payment of claims, brought against the government by different States and Territories Tor services heretofore rendered by volunteer forces m the suppression of Indian hostilities
 The secretary says he has attempted. as far as possible, to meet the just wishes of Congress m reducing the expenses, and the estimates of the next fiscal year are less than the appropria- tons for the last by the sum of S9,l60. 0.488.- They are less than the estimates laid before Congress at the last session bv the sum of s2 a36, ,4Oo. They amount in the aggregate to Slo,olOO9O; and he ertertains strong hope that the expenditure may be still further re- duced In the course of another year.
 It affords hlm pleasure to say that, notwith standing the Indian wars in Washington. New AeXco and Texas all of which were unfore- seen and Xpected--unless there shall be fur ther and larger demands for expenditures in SuppreSsIng other Indian hostilites, there will be no necessity for asking appropriations in the shane of a 1pfcianrv b;II