Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-03
r e p o r T
on TIE
GENERAL OF THE ARMY.
OF THE

WAsHINGToN, December General
Sherman, in his report submitted to
Congress to-day, opposes any further
reduction of the army. He says the en-
tire army Is on duty, and he has constant
calls for more troops, which cannot be
granted. lie calls the presidents earn
esi attention TO this matter that Congress
may be appealed to not to dininish the
military establishment because OF tbs
great extent OF countryi the unsettled
character of n large region measur ed
north, south, east and west by thousands
of miles; the acts of Indians Whoinhabit
this region, and the growing necessities
of affording greater protection 10 the
roads that traverse this region, and the
mining and agricultural interests there
in. While the nation at large is at
peace, a state OF quasi war continues to
exist over oue-half its extent, and troops
therein are exposed 10 labors, murders,
fights and dangers that amount TO war.
Withdrawing or largely diminishing tue
troops in Texas, the Indian country
Arizona. New Mexico, Montana, Idaho
or Alaska, as we'll as in some parts OF
the southern states, would, be believes,
result in a state OF things amounting to
anarchy.
lie refers to the labors and exposures
of tho officers and men, and hopes mat
they will receive the assurance TO which
they are fairly entitled that their Iabors
are appreciated. Officers have been re-
qufred 10 do the duties Of Indian agents,
sheriffs, etc, foreign to their military
training, and have done this duty with
out murmur and with m arked inteIlt-
| gence. Never, he says, has be known
| the army officers so poor, but they hope
by the appreciation Of the currency their
compensation win soon become more
| satisfactory. Any diminutton OF their
paw would result in the loss OF the serYt-
| ces OF every good officer, TO the extreme
damage Of the army.
General Sherman advises the adoption
by Congress OF the new army regulations
| as prepared by the special board OF otti-
| GERS. In referring 10 army cOnsoida-
ton. he saws there are five hundred un-
attached officers, of whom one hundred
aud fifty-six are awaiting orders. The
number of retired officers is one hun
dred and seventy-seVen. he urges that
cavalry and artillery regiments be off1-
cered alike ia regimental and company
organizations, and asks for an extra
lieutenant for cavalry companies. He
argues that it Is unjust that the reduc-
ton of the army should fall exclusively
on the infantry arm Of the service, and
| recommends that after congress- has en-
acted the necessary laws, the President
| assemble board of disinterested gem
/ eral officers, to whom shall be COM
mitted the whole matter of reduction and
reorganization.
General Sherman comments upon
what he calls the absurdity of the staff
Of the army making the reports to the
/ secretary of war. II this is continued,
he says, we have the absurdity of the
general commanding the army, with his
chief staff officers reporting to somebody
else. He hopes for legislation that will
allow the officers Of the army to call
upon the general for troops instead Of the
president.
He advocates an increase Of pay for
the soldiers. He recommends that forts
covering the cities OF Portland, Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, baltimore,
New Orleans and San francisco be COM
pleted as soon as possible. lie calls at
tention to the earnest recommendation
of General Thomas, that Sea island of
Alaska, st. Paul and ST. George be sold
to the cheapest bidder. He is informed
that parties in San Francisco are ready
to bid several millions of dollars, which,
he says, would 90 far towards indemni-
flying the government for this otherwise
poor and costly country.
"But, father, you know love makes
time fly" said an enthusiastic daugh-