The New York herald., 1869-12-07
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Annual Report Of The Secretary,
William w. Belknap.
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
10 4 -

1
WASHINGTON CRY, Nov. 20, ls0o
lnave the honor TO submit my report as Secretary
of war. together with the reports OF the General OF
the Army and the different bureaus of the depart
ment made since the last annual report
Itoos charge OF the effice on November l. 1869,
relieving the General Of the Army who had with
marSed zeal and ability performed ia duties since
the death OF Secretary John A. Rawllns, on Septem-
Der Q, 1869. OF General Rawlins 1t can with Iutn
be SAID that the virtues OF true manhood character
ized his life as soldier citizen ana statesman while
on the records OF the department VIII ever remain
the evidences OF his nigh honor, his patriotism and
his sagacous Judgment
During the month OF October the General OF tbo
Army was acting as Secretary OF War; and the an
nual reports which by his direction addressed
70 the Adjutant General Of the army have eeen with
his own report transmitted to me. AS the duties Of
the ONCE were assumed but few days prior to the
date Of this report few recommendations win be
made at length but the material matters OF the re-
ports presented Will be referred to as concsey %
possible
REPORT OF THE GENERAL OF THE ARMY.
This report gives clear view OF the admnlstra-
ton Of the army and Is very ful both IN the state
ment OF its present condition and recommendations
for its future organization. Its Importance is such
that synopsis cannot Justly be given. and 1t Is sub
miLted with the following remarKs:-
Tnere are twelve departments and three districts.
zach under the command OF general onlcer, and
the departments formed into four military divi-
mons, commanded by the four generals next in RANK
to the General of the Army. The regular army con-
ssts OF five regiments OF artillery, ten OF cavalry,
twenty-five OF infantry, the battalion OF engineers
and the corps OF cadets, the latter undergoing IN
structien a. the Military Academy. AN the regi-
manner In which their work has been done.
under the exposure to which they were subjected,
CONFORMITY with Tie act Of July IS 1866 and by the
direction OF the Secretary OF war; board OF officers
prepared q new coae OF tne articles Oh war, Whlcn
was on February ], 1888, transmitted 70 Congress.
system of regulations was also compiled both code
and regulations receiving the approval OF the then
General OF the Army. and June H. 1868, Secretary
Schoteid asked the adoption OF the new articles OF
war and the repeal of much OF the act rs directs
"the existing regulations to re main III force until
Congress shall nave acted on said report" 1t is
very desirable that LEGISLATION be had enacting the
rules and articles OF war and approving the new
regulations.
After the consolidation made in accordance with
the act OF March9, 1862 there remained, on Noyem.
Der /, 500 unattached officers. All OF these have
been assigned to duty excepting l56, who are await
reduction be made, that officers awaiting orders by
their request, and preerring that to active duty,
should nave less claim for retention than those who
applied for assignment or this class there are l3e
Oflcers. Some OF them, however, had special rea-
sons for asking be placed the 'awatng orders'
list, which the department recognized, ana which
should be regarded.
1t ls certainty fair that the consequences OF reduc-
cavalry artillery and infantry, and, should Con-
gress act II the matter II is proper that tins con-
erence to the question Of reduction concur
with the report IN recommending that authority lie
given to retire greater number OF officers tor cause
than is allowed by iaw-seven per cent OF the
Officers of the whole army.
The present maximum OF the army is 81 23a en-
listed men. Relying on two-thiras for actua service
the number OF men Is 81 S2a BY the plan Of organi-
cation submitted Ia the report there would be 1880
Two-tDirds for actual service would be 90 1850
men, below which IL would not be prudent TO GO as
the necessities OF the country ana the great extent
OF teIrtory TO be protected Will require every man
OF that number.
Section six OF the act of March g. 1869. provides,
s'That until otherwise directed by law there shall be
new appointments and no promotions In the
Adjutant Generals Department, In the Inspector
psrtment in the Comnissary DEPARTMENT IN the
Ordnance Department in the Engineer department
and in the Medical Department. lrecommend that
the STAFF corps be retained at the standard fixed by
the act OF july 2s 1866, and that the clause prohbt.
ing appointments and promotions be repealed, in
order thar vacancies may De flied as was the prac-
tice prior to the passage OF the act OF March s. 1892
Although the army may be smalier than heretofore
experience has shown that these officers are
necessary for the smaller as the larger force
The recommendations Of the General of the Army
to It's future organization are presented for your
consideration without abridgment. he refers fully
70 the reports OF the heads OF bureaus. The remarks
made by myself as 10 these VIII be found embodied
In the abstracts OF the reports hereinafter 1e-
ADJuTANT GENERALS DEPARTMENT.
The Adjutant General submits a table OF the
reorganization OF the Regular Army" an exhibit Of
the actual strength of the army and statement OF
the position ana distribution OF troops. lie recon-
rnends repeal OF so much OF section SIX Of the net
OF March g. 1869, prohibits further appointment
promotion leaving the organization OF the Adjutant
General's Department as II fixed by ten,
OF July 49, 1866 and also embodies in his report
other recommendations
The results OF the Inspection service during the
past year have been TO discover and bring to the
officers 10 fill the positions assigned them the con-
diuon Of troops IN regard 10 discipline, drlll ana
f9tntan hpf har hos nnnln lou
regulations or oruers vioiated public properly mis-
applied lost or wantonly destroyed whether there
have been extravagant or unnecessary expenditures
OF public money, stores MATERIAL and the personal
responsibility for ali irregularities and abuses. WIN
suggestions for remedial action.
The report shows that through the agency OF this
branch OF the service there has been continued I'M
provement In the discipline and eilicieucy OF the
troops. as well as the promotion OF more discrm-
mating and careful regard lor ae economical appli-
cation OF tho public money and property
The number OF inspectors now provided by law Is
deemed insufficient Tor the requirements OF the ser
wee An increase IN the number OF assistant in.
spectors general is therefore recommended
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE.
The Judge Advocate General reports the number
OF records OF nntary courts received reviewed and
registered to be 1884; number OF special reports
made 1852. This bureau, In addition TO its regular
duties has been charged with the duty OF systenati
caily arranging and Indexlng the important state
papers belonging TO the Offices OF the late Colonel l..
q. Turner Judge Advocate and Briaadier General
i. G. Baker, Provost Ma. shal, ana the WORK ~
steadiy progressing. Lists are also being prepared
OF the nnes ana lorfeitures imposed by military
courts, and OF cases OF remission OF the same
ouARTEBMAsTEB's DEPARTMENT.
The expenses of the Quartermasteris Department
during the fiscal year ending June 80, is69 were
12l.96s 1884, reductan OF Sl35OO0Oo below those Of
the preceding fiscal year.
In February 1889, the number OF civilians hired by
this department exceeded 1000, which has since
been reduced TO 1000. Five hundred line of,icers
have done duty IN the Quartermsster's Denartrnent
IN addition 10 the officers of that establishment
clghty-iour IN number.
The report states that the clerical force OF this
oflce has been reduced SO low BY late legislation as
10 seriously retard the public business aud pro-
vide for the sc itenent OF accounts some increase In
the force II necessary.
building capable OF accommodating all the bu-
reaus the War Department fire-proof and secure,
is needed Military records OF great value arc
exposed TO destruction, and are SO scattered as to
impede and delay public business. The mcnthly
by buildings owned by the United states, amounted