The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-11-17
rs. rmv of,he U.,,ea s,.,e..

Adiutant-General Thomas has made his an
nual report to the Secretary of War. The fol.
lowing abstract contains matters OF general
interest:
The actual strength of regiments in service
on the 30th OF September, was 43.741 men, aud
besides these there were $40 men in engineer,
ordnance, and other special branches of SER
vice. An unusually large number of discharg
es have been granted during the year on ind-
vidual applications, and these with ordinary
discharges and casualties are rapidly diminish
ing the regiments except cavalry, which are
necessarily kept in force because of Indian OPP
eratlons 1t is stated that 1900 men will be
discharged before New Years, by reason of the
expiration of their term OF enlistment. The
number of assertions last year was 2,7OO less
than in the previous year, and the number ar
rested nearly 900 more, and the proportion OF
losses by desertion to the strength OF the army
| is considerably less than last year. recruiting
was carried on for all branches of the service
| till November 26, 1867, when orders were isSu-
| ed to reduce all regiments of infantry and ar
tilery, except the ten light batteries, to the
minimum OF fifty privates per company, and
| to reduce recruiting service by breaking up all
| rendezvous, except four for cavalry and four
| for infantry. Recruiting for infantry and ar
| ullery was suspended April 3, 1868, except in
cases OF old soldiers desiring to enlist. and on
the 18th of July, 1868, instructions were issued
| prohibiting all enlistments or re-enlistments,
Il
tner OF these two branches. 1t is also stated
that in order to still further reduce expenses
and the strength of the military establish
ments, the attachments at the recruiting de-
| pots have been reduced as much as possible
| and the schools of instruction have been sus-
pended. No recruiting of any kind but for
cavalry has been going on since the end of last
| July, and there were only five stations for re-
| cruiting in this arm of the service Regiments
on.the Pacific coast have, as far as possible, to
/ avoid ayn of Transformation hpan 1ad
with recruits obtained in California. The
strength of all colored regiments in the service
is nearly up to the required standard.
The AdJutant-General renews the recon-
mendatlon he made last year. VIZ: that men be
enlisted for five instead of three years. He
further recommends that Congress authorize
enlistments of boys over twelve years, with
consent of parents, as musicians. They must
| now be sixteen, and are too old to begin train
ing especially for drummers, with any pros
pect OF more than ordinary success. He also
to meet q contingency which he regrets has Of
late several times arisen, recommends that the
President be empowered to drop from the rolls
of the army any officer who deserts and cannot
| be arrested for court-martial within three
months from the time of desertion. 1t is also
| recommended tina. superintendent of nation
al cemeteries be placed on the footing of en-
listed men. General Townsend says that at
| the date of his last annual report there were
two hundred and three volunteer officers in
| the service, all of whom but General Howard
head of the Freedmens Bureau, have since
been mustered out. At that date there were
mastering and discussing offices at Albany
Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio, which have
since been closed Communication money to
the amount OF $8777O has been refunded un
der the act of February, 1867 and as ons
clause of said act prevents the payment o
some just claims received at the department
since 1T was passed, the repeal of that provst
is recommended. Nearly all legal claims fo
collecting, drilling and organizing volunteer
have been paid or are on file undergoing ex
animation and verifcat'on with a view to pay
| ment.