The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-26
THE ARMY.
Report Of General shcrman-The Military DE
visIOns-StrenRth of the Regular Army-The


vislons-strenEth OF the Regular Army-Che
wLsuINGToN, Nov 9b.-The following is the full
text OF the annual report Of the General OF the
Army, to be submitted to Congress at the approach
ing session. 1t Ia important as showing the pre-
location OF Officers and troops, the strength OF
new law for the reduction OF the army, the present
condition of the investigation the subject OF
small arms and the opinions and recommendations
OF General Sherman and Major General Halle OK on
the question always more or less in doubt as to the
relation lawfully existing between the military and
civil authorities
THE MILITARY DIVISIONS.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, d.
c., Nov 10, 1s7Q-General: l:-Sinee my annual re-
port of Nov co. 1882 several changes have occurred
in the distribution OF the army, incident to the
and Texas, and to the gradual reduction OF the
force. The geographical territory OF the United
these are grouped into four military divisions.
The Military Division Of the East is commanded
Of the Department Of the East, Brlgadier. General
/. McDowell and the Department OF the Lakes Bri-
gadier,Genera F. ST. George Cooke ,
The Military Division Of the South is commanded
by Major. General II. w. Halleck, and is composed
OF the Department Of the South, Brigadier- General
A. II. Terry, and the Department OF Texas, Colonel
The Military Division of the Missouri is COM
manded by Lieutenant General p ii. Sheridan, and
is composed Of the Department OF Dakota, Major
General w. s. Hancock Department of the Platte,
OF the Missouri, Brigadier- General John Pope.
The Military Division of the Pacific is commanded
by Major General John NJ. Scho1eld, and is COM
posed OF the Department OF the Columbia, Brigader
General r. r. S. Candy the Department of Califor-
nia Brigader-General 4. o. c. Ord and the Depart
ment of Arizona, Colonel Geo. Stoneman.
This sub division OF the country is found to be well
adapted to the Of military forces in the d-
vesned sections and the interests committed to
their CHARGE and the general officers in command
nclose herewith the annual report of ali these com
manders except OF General Sheridan, who is absent
remote Territory, Arizona, with which our commu-
ncation is difficult, and his report has not yet been
received but will be submitted as soon as possible
To fhna I mna at ref fha lie
trbution OF the troops and the details OF the years
/ work.
THE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY,
According to the latest returns, the regular army
is composed Of PASS officers and 80 $40 enlisted
Under the operation of the act approved July 10,
1870 the number Of officers is rapidly decreasing, so
that by the list of January IL will reach the legal
or enlisted men the present number is made up as
ollows:-Ten regiments of cavalry, 1892; five regi
ments of artillery 4300 25 regiments OF infantry,
1856 total troops Of the line 3l7S In addition to
| which are five companies of engineer troops $50;
permanent recruiting parties and recruits, 1929;
ment, 26l; signal detachment, 80; hospital stewards
| 333; ordnance sergeants, 12l-3692; making grand
total Of $50 By the same act this number must be
reduced 10y the 1st OF july 1s to the limit OF o0O
AS matter Of course, l desire that the reduction
should fall as lightly as possible on the troops of the
line, for if the companies Of cavalry and infantry
which occupy the remote posts are too small, de-
| partment commanders will be forced to break up
| many OF the smaller posts and to use two comp8-
nies where one now suhices. If the non-combatant
there will be left for the line only 263OS, which,
divided up among the 4SO companies which compose
t The w aoT es
Is, that the constant loss by death,
mote and dangerous Districts win reduce the actual
number present for duty to about twothirds OF the
"a @ %bch SI E is DfGg 6o e o
vice. believe that on fair representation Con-
ordnance, signal detachm ent and hospital Stewards
This would make the limit of 10000 to apply only to
the troops of the line, and their necessary recruiting
| parties.
| RELATIONS OF THE CIVIL AND MILITARY AUTHORITIES.
| In the examination OF the reports herewith in
closed invite your attention to that recommends
ton OF General Halleck which refers to the use OF
troops in assisting the civil authorities in maintains
ing peace, collecting the revenues, etc, which has
become so common of late. The duties OF the SOL
diery in this connection are not prescribed SC
clearly by statute that the Officers can understand
their rights and duties, and the civil agents and
authorities often expect more than can be rightly
or lawfully done Think the soldiers ought not to
be expected to make individual arrests do any
sort OF Violence except in their organized capacity
as posse co1nitaius, duly summoned by the United
Yet if it is deemed lawful and proper that the SOL
diers should do more than this, concur with Gene
raj Haleck that Congress should so enact in cleal
and distinct terms.
DISCIPLINE OF THE TROOPS.
During the past year the department commanders
have given great attention to the instruction ant
pm oi ae nr aS that be
receive every encouragement, for we know that the
volunteers, when called into active service, expect
to learn the routine OF service from the regular
army. In this connection, Colonel j e. j. Reynolds
in Texas objects, and with good reason, that he 1:
tine as iaborers on public buildings, roads, and at
other work which disqualifes them as soldiers, be
side preventing them from scouting on the frontier
as much as would otherwise be the case AS a mat.
ter Of course soldiers must labor in taking care o
themselves and OF their necessary supplies, but tC
build permanent works or roads, in which they have
but partial interest, is kind OF labor that ought
not TO be imposed on our reduced establishment
weuld advise the Secretary OF War to prescribe
some plain rule, drawing clear distinction be
that it would enter into tlh contract Of enlist
ment and soldiers would not, as they frequently do
plead this cause as a justification OF deSertOn
During the past year the troops have been well sup
piled in all respects, and have been paid regularly
every two months. General Augurs recommends
tion that the troops be paid at shorter intervals
worthy Of every consideration for 1t is known tina
payday, coming so seldom, is apt to be considere
sort OF holiday, and not unfrequently results II
. which reflect upon the usual good fame of tn
, army.
SMALL ARMs-THE NEW TACTICS.
The Board of Onicels assembled at st. Louis, Mo
by virtue OF General Orders Nos. 60 and ~ of 1869
has reported that their labors have been substan
TALLY concluded, and although not yet In possession
OF the text, desire to express my opinion OF tn
OF ofhcers OF great experience, was required to re
port on the best small arms and equipments for tn
(, army, and also to prepare system OF tactics fo
all arms OF service. Their conclusion on the
first branch OF the subject has heretofore been lai
before the Secretary OF War, who has ordered sur
J ply OF the arms recommended by the board TO
distributed to the army for further practical tests
but observe THAT the Chief of Ordnance in hi
annual report, advises that another So 200 of tn
Springfield musket should be altered according
l the ordnance pattern, the one now in general us
q by our infantry. This would imply a Selection
3 that form OF musket, before the practical test
: cOmmendation of the board was strongl
Z in favor OF the Remington system, an