Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-12-07
GENERAL sHERMAN,s REPORT.
The Military Divisions strength Of the
Regular Army-The New Tactics.

!
report Of the General Of the Army, to
be submitted TO Congress at the up.
preaching session. II is important,
as showing the present location Of
officers and troops, the strength Of the
army in officers and men, the opera
ton Of the new law for the reduction
of the army, the present condition Of
the investigation on the subject Of
small arms, and the opinions and re-
Communications Of Gen. Sherman and
Major Gen. Hallcck 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 oFTHE Army,
WAsHIvoToN, d. c., Nov. 10, 70. !
General; Since my annual report Of
November 20, 1869, several changes
have been made IN the distribution Of
the army, incident TO the restoration
Of the States Of Virginia, Mississippi
and Texas, and TO the gradual rcduc.
ton of the force. The geographical
territory e the United States is now
divided into ten departments, and
these are grouped into four military
divisions
The military division Of the cast is
commanded By Major General George
G. Meade, and is composed Of the dc
partment Of the east, Brigadicr Gen
eral /. MDowell; and the department
of the lakes, Brigadicr General p. 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; aud the depart
ment Of Texas, Colonel J. s. IIey-
nolds
The military division Of the Mis-
sonri is commanded by Lieutenant
General p IL. Sheridan, and is com
posed of the department Of Dakota,
Major General w. S. Hancock de-
partment of Platte, Brigadier General
c. G. Augur, aud the department Of
the Missouri, Brigadier General John
Pope.
The military division of the Pacific
is commanded by Major General John
NJ SchoGeld, and is composed Of the
Department of Columbia, Brigadicr
General E r. s. Candy; tho Depart
ment Of California, Brigadier General
L. O G Ord, and the Department Of
Arizona, Col. George Stoneman.
This sub division Of the country is
found to be well adapted to the use Of
our military forces in the diversified
sections aud the interests committed
to their charge, aud tho general Off
GERS in command are all well qualified
for their respective duties. inclose
herewith the annual report Of all these
commanders except General Sheridan,
who is absent in Europe, and Of Col
onel Stoneman, who is in that remote
Territory, Arizona, with which our
communication is difficult, aud bis re-
port has not yet been received, but
will bo submitted as soon rs possible.
To these reports | must refer you for
the actual distribution Of the troops
and the details Of the years work
TIE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY.
According to the latest returns, the
regular army is composed Of 2,4SS
officers and3l $40 enlisted men. IN
der the operation Of Sho act approved
july 10, 1870, the number of officers
is rapidly decreasing so that by the
1st Of January, it will reach the legal
standard, 2,27T
OF cnliatcd men the prescntnumber
is mado up as follows; Ten regi-
menis Of cavalry, $500; five rcgi
mcnts Of artillery, 1900; 20 regi
ments ofinfantry, 1886; total troops
of tho line, 81 ,17S In addition TO
which are five companies Of engineer
troops, 500; permanent recruiting
parties aud recruits, 1920; enlisted
men of ordnance, 7O6; West Point
detachment, 26l; signal detachment,
80; hospital Stewards 333; ordnance
sorgcanls, l2l-3,69g; making grand
total of 34,S7O. By the same act this
number must be reduced hy the lst
Of July, 1871, TO the limit of 10000
As n matter Of course, desire that
the reduction should fail as lightly as
possible on the troops Of the line, for
IL tho companies Of cavalry and in.
fautry, which occupy the remote posts,
are too small, department oomman.
dcrs will be forced TO break up many
Of the smaller posts, and to use two
companies where one now sullicos. -
Ii the non combalant class be kept TO
the present standard of 1902 men,
there will be left for the line only 20.
30S, which, divided up among $50
companies which compose the present
organization, viii allow but go men
to q company The universal expert
ence is, that the constant loss by death
discharge, dcser,ions, &c, especially
in the more remote and dangerous
districts. will reduce the actual mum
Der present for duty to about two.
thirds Of the prescribed limit, or will
bring the companies down TO about
80 men, which is too small for efficient
service ] believe that on a fair rep.
rcscntotion Congress will make direct
provisions for the engineers, ordn.
ance signal detachment, and hospital
stewards This would mako the limit
of8O00O to apply only to tho troops
Of the line, and thoir necessary recruit
ing parties.
RELATIONS or TuE CIVIL AND MILITARY
AUrnoUIrEs
In the examination Of The reports
herewith inclosod, ! invite your atten-
tim TO that recommendation Of Con.
lIalleck which refers TO the use of
troops in assisting ,he civil authorities
in maintaining peace, collecting the
revenues, etc, which has become SO
common Of late The duties OF the
soldiery in this connection are not
prescribed so clearly by statute that
the officers can understand their rights
and duties, and the civil agents aud
81 .. ...a a.. ...... 1...s. .a o..