Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-03
r f. P o r Tt
OF THE
sECRETART OF VAR.
OF THE
WAsHINorov. peeember 8.

tArV oil w at WHICH WAS H4DAAlENN ~
Congress today, opens with tribute to
the memory Of General Rawlins.
The Secretary then explains that few
recommendations will be made at1ength,
as the duties OF the office were assumed
but few days prior to the date Of this
report-November 20. He, however,
refers to the material matters of the re-
ports presented to him. Referring to
the report Of the General of the Army,
he says:
There are twelve departments and
three districts, each under the command
OF q general officer, and the departments
are formed into four military divisions,
commanded by the four generals next
In rank to the General Of the Army.
The regular army consists of i've regi-
ments of artillery ten of cavalry, TWEEN
ty-five of infantry, the battalion OF eagi-
neers, and tho corps Of cadets. All the
regiments are on duty.
The Secretary endorses recommended
ton of General Sherman, thatlegislation
be had enacting the rules and articles OF
war adopted by the board convened in
| conformity with the act of Congress of
| July %, 1866, and approving the new
regulations compiled In June, 1863. The
| Secretary then continues, still referring
to General Sherman's report:
he indorses the recommendations OF
| the Adjutant General of the army for
| the repeal Of so much OF section Of the
! act of March 3, 1859, as prohibits further
appointments or promotions leaving the
| organization of the Adjutant Generals
| department as ii was fixed by section 10
| of the act Of July 2S 1866. An increase
/ to the number of Assistant Inspector
! Generals is recommended. With regard
! to the Bureau of Military Justice, the
| Secretary says:
| The Judge Advocate General reports
/ the number of records Of military courts
received, renewed, and registered to be
! IA, ,943
or the QuarterTnaster General, the re-
| port states that the clerical force Of this
| office has been reduced so low, by late
Legislation, as 20 seriously retRrd the
| public business; and 10 provide for the
| settlement of accounts some increase In
the force is necessary. A building eapa-
bic of accommodating all the bureaus OF
the War Department, ire. proof and Sc
cure, is much needed. Military records
of great value are exposed to destruc-
ton, and are SO scattered as TO impede
and delay the public business. The
monthly rental Of buildings and
lots occupied by buildings owned by
the United States amounted to $4, ,284 10,
being a yearly rental of S50,954 2S.
The railway companies to which
the military railroad material of the
Quartermaster's Department was sold
on credit at the end Of the war, incurred
| a debt originally of 81, ,59l, 406. Interest
has increased this amount TO $1,000, 600
| about one halfof which has been paid
but soma railroads being in default, and
showing no disposition TO meet their OBJ
legations, suit has been lately ordered to
be brought against them. But few yes
sells have been owned by this depart
msnt during the year. The railroads OF
the country having declined 10 adhere to
the war rates of transportation, have
been paid during the fiscal year their
| general tariffs, with classification o
military supplies settled in conference
| at q convention OF general freight
agents. There have been paid
for water transportation during the
year, 81 ,424 DID 81, and for railroad
transportation, S2,25S, ,S04 50. Of this
amount, 1898, l66 n was paid to the Pa
| cific railroads, one-half being paid In
cash and the other half retained in the
treasury to meet the interest on the
bonds guaranteed by the United States
/ During the year 96, 600 persons, ], 800 an
imals. and G2, 600 tons of stores have been
moved by water, and 10000 persons g.
Il, 600 animals, and 10000 tons of stores
by railroad; q 600 tons Of stores have
been moved by contractors for wagon
I LF04HkDEAAAADls AAlE ANAAAI AhAAAANtAA AaAs
occupied some of the principal routes oi
former wagon transportation, and has
saved the government much money In
supplying the posts along its line. By
| arTanxements between the departments
| of War and the Interior, supplies for the
Indian service are now transported by
the Quartermasters Department on
routes in the Indian Territory, the actual
cost under the contract being refunded
/ IN tho War nana artnaut ont of the aDDTO.
priatien of 81, ,0OO, 600 for the pAciication
Of the Indians, granted April 10, 1860
Although the amount of clothing and
eouipage on hand at the end OF the wal
has been reduced by sales and issues
there still remains stock valued at over
81. .O00, 900. The general depots have
been reduced 10 four, and at only two OF
them is there any large collection of ma
terial, viz: at the Schuylkill arsenal, on
the Delaware, and at Jetfersonville, on
the Ohio. The latter is being drawn
upon constantly, but IL still con-
taius over Sl4,000,000 worth of war
material There are 72 national
cemeteries, and 3I3 local post or private
cemeteries In which soldiers lie buried.
The titles of II of the national cemeteries
have been approved as perfect by the
Attorney General; 322 607 intermenis are
reported, OF which ILL., ,946 have been
identified. The expenditure on this
work has been nearly 5000, 900 during
the year; 1855 animals were purchased,
| and g. .492 were sold. These latter pro-
duced the SUM Of S223, ,3SS. Subsistence
supplies Tor the army have been mainl y
! procured in the large market cities oi
The country. The average cost OF the
| ration at these markets has been ab0 ut
23c. Efforts to procure salt meats on
the Pacific coast for troops stationed