New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-05
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
WAN DrpARTNTsT Dec. 8 1860,


SIR: The authorized and actual strength Of the Army
remains substantially tie "a last year. In con-
formity with the policy which announced TO yon Id
my last annual report the troops available for service
against the hostile Indians and others that have be-
come 80 since that time, have been engaged III cam
pagns Of the greatest activity This year the Army
has been constantly in the field and upon an active war
footing.
The Department of Texas has been restored to tran
oullity and relieved from all apprehension of invasion
or moleslation by the armed and maraudng bands on
the Mexican frontier 1t has been found necessary 10
occupy with sufficient force the commanding posts on
and near the Rio Grande, we have that frontier
well protected, from Fort Fillmore to Fort Brown.
These important movements have not made without
much toll and fatigue; and while looking mainly to
defenses upon the Rio Grande, an important considera
ton was also to hold in check tie Comanehe Indians
of that frontier ed TO protect the settlements from
their narauding parties The hostities OF last year
with tue KiOwa and Comanche Indians, upon the head
waters of the Arkansas and the Canadian nave noyet
been brought to a close. very active campaign has
been carried against them and they have been met ana
chestsed on several occasions In of these engage
mens toward tie head-waters of the Republican Fork
OF Kansas River large body Of these Indians was en-
counered by Captain Sturgs OF the First Cavalry and
severely chastsed. They have been broken ana dis-
persed in every direction but, being entirely nomadi,
they may concentrate and again make hostile demon
strations somewhere within the boundaries Oh the In
nense region over which they roam.
In New-Mexico, the outrages and depredations OF
the Indians have been very daring and numerous and
nearly the whole Territory may be SAID 10 nave Oeeh
infested by them throughout the season. To make an
effective campaign against these Indians and to chas-
tise them in an exemplary manner 1t became necessary
10 take large part of the troops stationed In Utah
southwark to New Mexico This march was performed
in very creditable manner, and In go0d Tine ine
troops, after accomplishing a march OF 6oO miles
through trackless wilderness, were ready after
short halt, to make movement OF lou miles more, ana
prosecute campaign against the numerous and power
fuI tribe of the Navaoes. There is little doubt but
~ NEE
which has become necessary IN order 10 ofin9 'he
under control again. =, -.
Tie Pa-Utes, a powerful tribe Of warLke Indians
about the region OF Carson |aiiey IN lle lerIory "a
Utah broke out into hostility to the whites, very sud
denly, this Summer, and committed many atroclous
murders party Of volunteers from the vicinity OF
Washoe silver mines was organized under the com.
mand of Mr.. Ormsby, for pursuit The Indians, VINO
We're very numerous succeeded in drawing this party
into an ainbuscade driving them back with consdera
HE loss Among the killed in that unfortunate affair
was the leader, Mr.. Ormsby, himself Ihls incident
created great excitement and alarm throughout all the
mining country of Carson Valley, then rapidly ming
mn from the faterng reports of rich silver deposits
there and it became necessary to send SUFFICIENT force
there promptly to chasse the Indians ana restore quiet
| and confidence among the inhabitants.
BEFORE however, the United States troops could
roach the SPOT the people of the country determined 10
organize force Of sufficient ana cna
tise efiectually the savages few days were sum
dent for the purpose and considerable body OF active,
daring epterprising men rallied under the command OF
he Celebrated Texan Ranger, Col. j. C.. Hays, and,
after equppng themselves as best they could they SGT
ont in pursuit of the Indians AT no great distance
they were overtaken by these volunteers IN eonanc-
ton with detachment Of United States troops VINO
| Joined them. They commenced at once the altaek,
| The Indians were very powerful In numbers auu
strong in POSITION and assisted greatly ii not
| commanded by white men. But the pTacilced eye Oh
the cool and daring leader enabled him 10 lead the as
sant with such skill that the vastly superior hnmoer
of the Indians avaed them nothing They were driven
from their strong position after severe conict ana,
finally nut TO complete rou. The Indians dispersed
in every direction, az their custom is, have they
.ince rallied or given much for uneasiness TO the
settlers send herewith the report Of this eXpedition
furnished by Col Hays to the Governor OF Itan ana
bv him sent to this Department Great credIt Is que
To this gallant officer and the men under his command
for this timely and efficient defense OF the lnapah'5
of that remote portion OF our territory The United
States troops after a very rapid and every way credit
aLIc march reached the neighborhood Of these trnsac
tons lust Ia time 20 engage III and do good service III
The action and ,bv their presence afterward eiiectu
ally 10 oue every symptom Of hostility among the IN
dians The interest and numbers of our CITIZENS u
that region were deemed by the commanding omcer "
The Department Of sufficient Importance to require tht
establishment Of a military post there, winch mas nc
| cordngly been done. ~. 81, d,
The Shake Indians in Washington Territory, on ,h'
road recently opened from Fort Bndger 10 Fort p" ''
Woa have been hostile during tho past seasoii anS
although campaign was undertaken ana proseeu;e'
It'll igor npans them il did not result IN reducing
| ,hom no subordinaton. Since the troops have beeI
Withdrawn from active operations IN the held irg
hndv nj niQrans were attacked almost on the border
iii set,!.lc.ts and NAV. q them pHr'eTcd' LIN