Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-16

Indian Peace Commission, has arrived here
from the West, and reports that 7O,OO0 friendly
Indians are moving on 10 the reservations pro-
yided by treaty. The Arrapahoes, Cneyennes,
kiowas, and Comanches numbering about I've
thousand, are on the war path, and the army is
in motion against them. Col. Tappan thinks
that specializing traders and other whites are,
TO great degree. respons bic tor the offensive
attitude assumed by the latter tribes.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADJUrANr GEN
ERAL.-The AdIutant General OF the Army has
made his annual report TO the Secretary Of
War. The actual strength OF the regiments in
the service on the 3oth OF September was i3,7i1
men, and besides these there were $40 men in
the engineer, ordnance, and other special
branches OF the service. An unusually large
number of discharges have been granted during
the year on individual applications, and these,
with ordinary discharges and casualties, are
rapidly diminishing the regiments, except of
ca yalry, which are necessarily kept in force,
because of the Indian depredauons. II Is re-
ported that 4,5s0 men are to be discharged
before New Years, by reason of the expiration
of their term OF enlistment. The number Of
desertions last year was 2,7OO less than in the
previous year, and the number OF deserters
arrested was nearly a thousand greater, and
the proportion Of losses by deseTtion TO the
strength of the arny is considerably less than
last year. Recruiting was carried on for all
branches OF the service until November %,
Ie67, when orders were issued TO reduce all
regiments of In fantry and artillery, except the
ten light batteries to the number of fifty pri-
Yates per company. and TO reduce the recruit
ing service by breaking up all rendezvous,
except four tor cavalry and four for infantry.
Recruiting for infantry and artillery was sus-
pended April 3, 1868, except in cases of Old SOL
diers desiring to enlist: and on the 2ath of July,
ls6-, instructions were issued prohibiting all
enlIstments or re-enlistmepts, except as musi-
clans, of any men In either OF these two branch
es. IL is added, that to still further reduce the
expenses and strength of the military establish
ment, the detachmeRts at the recruiting depots
have been reduced as much as possible, and
the schools OF instruction have been susp pended.
No recruiting Of any kind but for cavalry has
been going on since the end Of last July, and
there are only five stations for recruiting in
this arm of the service. The regiments on the
Pacific coast have, as far as possible, to avoid
expense OF transportation, been supplied with
rec cruits obtained in California. The strength
of all the colored regiments in the service is
nearly up 10 the required standard. The Ad.
lutant General renews the recommendation
which he made last year-namely, that men be
enlisted for five instead Of three years. He
further recommends that Congress authorize
the enlistment Of boys over twelve years,
as musicians. with the consent OF their pa
rents. They must now be sixteen, and are 100
old 10 begin training, especially as drummers.
To meet a contingency which ne regrets mas
OF late several times arisen, ne recommends
thar the President be empowered TO drop from
the rolls of the army any officer who deserts
and cannot be arrested for court martial with
IN three months of the time of 6esertion. 1t Is
also recommended that the superintendents Of
the national cemeteries be placed on the foonEg
of enlisted men. Nearly all the legal claims
for collecting drilling, and organizing volun-
teers have been paid, or are on file undergoing
examination and verification, with q view to
payment. The AdJutant General sp an of
fraudulent claims that are from time 10 time
presented, and recommends that laws be en-.
acpd limitIng the time within which claims
fer expenses incurred pnor to m uster into ser.
vice may be presented. After speaking with
much feeling and Judgment on this SUBJECT of
army discipline and punishment, the Adjutant
General declares again, as he did last year, for
military prisons. De proposes to build the
first prison in New York harbor, and If that is
found 10 work well. then he would have Don.
grefs provide for similar institutions on Ship
Island, at one point on the Pacific coast and at
one point in the Mississippi valley.