Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-11-30

commanded by Major-Gen. John NJ Soho.
field, and is composed of the Department oil
the Columbia, Brighten. Z. X. 5. Candy;
the Department of California, Brig. Gen. +.
%. c. Ord; and the Department of Arizona,
Col Geo. Stoneman.
This subdivision of the country is found
to be well adapted to the use Of our military
forces in the diversified sections and the
interests committed to their charge, and the
general officers in command are all well
qualified for their respective duties. | ln-
close herewith the annual report of all those
commanders except of Gen. Sheridan, who
is absent in Europe, and of Col. Stoneman,
who is in that remote Territory, Arizona,
with which our communication is difficult,
and his report has not yet been received, but
will be submitted as soon as possible Ic
these reports | must refer you for the actual
distribution of the troops and the details o.
the years work.
THE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY
According to the latest returns, the Regu-
lar Army is composed of 2,4SS officers ano
"a, $40 enlisted men. Under the operation
of the act approved July Is, 1870, the num-
Der of officers is rapidly decreasing, so that
by the lst of January it will reach the lega
standard, 2,277.
OF enlisted men the present number Is
made up as follows Ten regiments of cav
airy, 9 1872 five regiments of artillery, A.
800; rs regiments of infantry, 1886; total
troops of the line, Bits. In addition to
which are five companies of engineer troops,
800 permanent recruiting parties and re
cruits, ,629; enlisted men of ordnance,
700; West Point detachment, 26l signal
detachment, 80 hospital stewards, 333
ordnance sergeants, l2l-3, SOP; making a
grand total of "a, $40. By the same act this
number must be reduced by the LIST of July,
1871, to the limit of 80 900. As matter OF
course, desire that the reduction should
fall as lightly as possible on the troops of tine
liae, for if the companies of cavalry and in
famtry, which occupy the remote posts, are
$50 small, department commanders viii be
forced to break up many of the smaller posts,
and to use two companies where one now
suffices. If the non-combatant class be kept
to the present standard Of 3, 500 men, there
will BE- left for tho line only 6,3OS, which,
divided up among the 43O companies which
compose the present organization, Will allow
but 90 men to a company. The universal
experience is, that the constant loss by death
discharge, desertion, etc, especially IN the
more remote and dangerous districts, viii
reduce the actual number present for duty
to about two thirds of the prescribed limit
or will bring the companies down to about
20 men. which is too small for efficient ser
vice. | believe that on fair representation
Congress will make direct provision for the
engineers, ordnance, signal detachment. and
hospital stewards This would make the
limit of SO, 900 to apply only to the troops
Of the line, and their necessary recruiting
parties.
RELATIONS OF THE CIVIL AND MILITARY AU-
THORITIEs.
In the examination of the reports here
with nclosed | invite your attention to thai
recommendation of Gen. Halleck which re
fers to the use Of troops in assisting the civil
authorities in maintaining peace, collecting
the revenues, &c. which has become 81
common of late. The duties of the Soldiery
: in this connection are not prescribed s.
clearly 10y statute that the officers can un
derstand their rights and duties, and tn,
civil agents and authorities often expec
more than can be rightly or lawfully done
I think the soldiers ought not To be expected
to make individual arrests, or to do any act o
violence, except in their organized capaci
ty as a posse c0mitGtus, duly summoned by
the United States Marshal, and acting IN hi.
personal presence Yet, if it is deemed law
full and proper that the soldiers should d,
more than this, | concur with Gen. Hallecl
that Congress should so enact in clear anC
distinct terms.
DISCIPLINE OF TIE TROOPS.
During the past year the Department
Commanders have given great attention I,
4 the instruction and discipline Of their troops
and as our force becomes less and less, deem
/ It important that they should receive every
Iencoura cement. for we know that the volun
iteers, when called Ito active service, expec
Z to learn the routine of service from the reg
L. = NV IA. sIaa- sssIl4o1.IuIl, BOZ, . new
noldS, in Texas, objects, and with good rea
Z son, that he is forced to use his men a grea
portion Of their time as laborerS on publ,
buildings, roads, and at other work which
iiSqualifieS them As soldiers, besides prevent
ing them from scouting on the frontier
IS much a. would otherwise be the case
/ As matter Of course, soldiers must labor
N taking care Of themselves, and of then
d necessary supplies but to build permanent
works or roads in which they have bat
partial interest. is a kind of labor that ought
mot 70 be imposed on our reduced establish
uent. would advise the Secretary of Wal
Ito prescribe some plain rule, drawing clear
4 distinction between these two kinds of labor
and to publish it to the army in orders OF
regulations so that it would enter into the
contract of enlistment, and soldiers would
mot as they frequently do, plead this cause
las a justification of deSerton.
During the past year the troops have been
well supplied in all respects, and have beer
ipaid regularly every two months Gen
4 Augurs recommendation that the troops b,
Inaid at shorter intervals is worthy of every
consideration, for it is known that payday
coming so seldom, Is apt to be considered {
sort of holiday, and not unfrequently results
n disorders, such as recently occurred al
Provo City, which reflect upon the uSua
good fame of the army.
SMALL AENS-THE NEW TACTICS.
The Board OF Officers assembled at St
Louis, Mo. (hy virtue of General Orders
Nos. 90 and - of 1867, has reported that
their lab0Ts have been substantially conelud-
Ell, and although not yet in possession of the
text, desire To express my opinion of the
Importance Of their work. This Board. COM
posed of officers OF great experience, was
required to report on the best small arms aud
equipments for the army, and also to prepare
O. $, stem of tactics for all arms of service.
Their conclusion on the first branch of the
subject has heretofore been laid before the
Secretary of War, who has ordered a supply
Of the arms recommended by the Board to be
distributed to the army for further practical
tests but | observe that the Chief of Ord
nance. in his annual report, advises that
another so 900 of the Springfield muskets
should he altered according to the ordnance
PATTERN, the one now in general use by our