Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-18
Annual Report Of she secretary OF
war

hAs just been given 70 the public
The military events Of the year have
been officially published by the Depart
ment from time to. time e. they occurred,
and are fully known In every branch of
this government and throughout the civ
ilized world. They constitute 8 series Of
successful marches, sieges and battles, at
testing the,endurance and courage Of the
soldiers Of the United States. and the gall
lantry and military skill of their COM
manders, unrivalIed in the history Of ma
tons. -. l,-.. ..-----. - = ~.
The report presents brief sketch of the
military establishment onitting the exact
strength Of the forces now under arms
The following are the principal facts set
forth ...-si-,. -
Twenty-one depots are tablished in the
principal States for collecting and forward
ing to regiments, volunteers, substitutes
and drafted men. The Veteran Reserve
corps has been of much service in guard
ing these depots, and ,escorting detach-
ments to their regiments. There are also
six special depots for recruits enlisted
in the rebel States by agents from loyal
States. -
TO inquire into causes Of absence from duty
and alleged offences by officers. The effect
has been TO diminish the number Of cases
published and referred to the boards, to
threel hundred and si1ty-four for eleven
months; whereas, before their orgsRiza-
tion, from one hundred to two hundred
were reported monthly for absence without
leave alone.
The status of chsplsins seems to be mis-
understood. From the wording Of the act
OF April 9th, 1854, section /, It is
thought by some ehApleins that new
rank, between the grades of major and cap
tainis intended for them. This is supposed
to be an error growing out Of the use Of
the term surgeon" in an sct, instead of
amedical officer" The former assimilated
rank OF chaplAins, in reference to allow
snce of quarters and pay proper was
Captain" and such should now be their
rank.
Over two hundred Asgs osptured Of the
rebels have been received, properly LABEL
led, and deposited for safe keeping.
Medals Of honor have been awarded in
numerous instances to priVstes and nom
commissioned officers for gallant services.
The plan of awarding gold and silver med
ais 70 officers, instead Of bfevets, to GER
tain extent, is commended to notice. It
should not supersede the comforting Of bre-
vets, especially in cases where such rank
might be exercised in high commands.
The supplies produced during the past
fiscal year include 1850 pieces of ordnance
1851 artillery carriages and csissons, s02,-
| 526 small arms, 794,055 sets of accoutre-
ments and harness, 1,674y241 projsctiles for
cannon, IL, ,74O, ,l46 pounds Of bullets and
lead, s,40e, 400 pounds of gunpowder, 1s9,-
490, ,02S cartridges for small arms. These
are complete articles, IN addition to the
large quantities of the same kind Of sup
plies partially made up ct the arsenals.
The ordnance supplies furnished to the
military service during the fiscal year in
clude l, ,l41 pieces of ordnance, 1896 srtil-
lery carriages and csissons, 455, 9l0 small
arms, 502, ,044 sets of sccoutrements and
harness. 1,s13,753 projectiles for cannon.
L6246 pounds of bullets and lead, 1884,
$40 rounds Of artillery ammunition, 1872
OCT sets of horse equipments, ll2,0sT5
cartridges for small arms, 1854, ,644 pounds
of gunpowder. These supplies were in
addition to large quantities of parts pro-
vided for repairs in the field. -. ~ s.
The capacity of the arssnaIs for the
manufacture of munitions of war has been
increased during the year, and that in
crease is still going on, 50 far as the means
appropriated viii admit. Supplies manu-
fsctured at the srsenAls are Of better quail
ity and cost less than similar articles OBJ
tanned by contract or purchase.
The national srmory at Springfield, Mas
saehusetts, can turn out three hundred
thousand Of the best quality Of riAed mus
kets annually. Lax
Possession has been taken of Rock Island,
Illinois, in pursuance of an act of Con-
gresA and the requisite buildings for an az
sensl there are in progress.
There is on hand stock of three quar-
ters of 8 million of frst-olass riAsd small
arms, exclusive Of the arms in the hands
of the troops, since increased TO q million
and quarter. g
The introduction of breech- loading arms
for the military service generally is recon-
mended. s.e.
The selection of o site for general de-
pository of gunpCEder, and the erection of
suitable magazines thereon, is recommend
ed. In that connection, the construction
of government powder mill of sufficient
capacity to make standard and proof
powder and gun cotton, is also recon-
mended. E
The procurement Of suitable ground
for the proof and experimental firing of
ordnance and small arms is urgently sd
vised as most essential want Of the mill
tary service. 4s
Daring the year twenty.seVen cadets
completed the course Of studies and prac-
tice in the Military Academy, and were
commissioned in the army. The smAllness
of this number grows out of the resigns-
tions which occurred in this class at the
of the rebellion. The classes at
this time have the usual strength CORES
pondiDg to the Congressional representa-
ton.
Colonel D. C. McCsllum has been placed
IS military director in charge of the military
railroads. He has organized q efficient
construction corps, provided rollir g stock,
for which it was necessary tomake oner-
ous demands upon the manufactures of the |
loyal States. Already thousand miles of |
railroad have been operated by this Depart
nent, in connection with the movements |
IF the armies.
The telegraph has continued to be q most
,ficient and valuable aid to military op-
oerations. Six thousand five hundred
niles of military telegraph have been In
operation, et,which three Thousand miles
AVE been constructed during the year.
About one thousand persons have been
Employed in this work.
There are 100 military hospitals, with
spscity of 12o, ,52I beds.
The enrolment lists, November l, con-
aimed 2, Ts4, ,226 names.
Enrolmentysnd draft expenses last year
mounted to $4.016, 72s.
EOver 5000 veteran soldiers re-enlisted
Or three years IN the fallo 1858. Deser-
ans and strsgglers arrested, last year
ss,Ss2. The veteran reserve
orps numbers 764 officers and 2s,7ss
len. .'
The supply of animals has been at the
ate of about five hundred per daY, which | ;;