The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-12-17
Gen. Sherman's Report.

In his report as General of the Army, Gen. Sher-
man opposes any further reduction of the army.
He says the entire army Is on duty, and he has con-
slant calls for more troops, which cannot be granted
He calls the Presidents earnest attention to the
matter, 90 that Congress may be appealed to not
TO diminish the because of the
greatextent Of country the unsettled character Of
large region, measured north, south, east and west
by thousands of miles, the acts of Indians who in
habit this region. and the growing necessities of a
fordng greater protection to the roads that
traverse Tins region. and the mining and agri-
CULTURAL interests therein. While the nation at
large i at peace, state Of quasi war continues to
exist over one-half its extent and troops therein
are exposed to labors, marches fights, and dangers
that amount to war; withdrawing or largely
eliminating the troops in Texas the Indian country,
Arizona New Me.co Montsna Idaho o, Alaska ska, Is
he believes, result In a condition of things amount
ing to anarchy. He refers to the labors and ex-
poeuros OF officers and men, and hopes that they
will receive the assurances to which they fairly
entitled, that their abors are appreciated Officers
have been required to perform the duties of Indian
agents, governors, sheriffs, &c, foreign to their
q murmur and with marked intelligence. Never,
he says, has he known the army officers 30 poor,
but they hope that by the appreciation OF currency
factory. Any diminution of their pV would result
in loss of the services Of every good officer to
the extreme damage OF the army itself. Gen:
Sherman advises the adoption by Congress Of
the new army regulations, as prepared by the
special Board Of Officers. In referring to army
consolidation, he says: There are 500 unattached
officers, of whom 1856 arc awaiting orders; the num-
Der of retired officers is III. He urges that cavalry
and artillery regiments be offered alike in regi
mental and company organization, and asks for an
extra lieutenant for cavalry companies. He argues
that 1t lie unjust that reduction of the army should
fall exclusively upon tho infantry arm of service,
and recommends that, after Congress has enacted
the necessary laws, the President assemble board
Of disinterested general Officers, to whom shall be
committed the whole matter of reduction and re-
organization. Gen. Sherman comments upon
what he calls the absurdity Of the staff of the army
making their reports to the Secretary of War; If
this is continued, he says, 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 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
completed as soon as possible. He calls attention
to the earnest Recommendation of Gen. Thomas,
that the Islands Of Alaska, st. Paul and st. George
be sold to the highest bidder. He IL informed that
parties in San Francisco are ready to bid several
million dollars, which, he says would go far toward
Identifying the Government for an otherwise poor
and costly country.