New-York tribune., 1874-11-10
The FEDERAL ARMY.

ANNUAL REPORT OF GEN. SHERMAN.
THE ARMY TO BE REDUCED TO THE NUMBER LIN"
TIED BY LAW BY JANUARY NExT-A CHhoNiO
STATE OF WAR LIKELY TO CONTINUE ON Ihh
FRONTIER FOR YEARs-THE EFFICIENCY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC DUE TO ITS RE
MoTENEss FROM HEADQUARTERs-TPE ARMY
THE HARDEST WORKED BODY OF MEN IN ANY
COUNTRY.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-Gen. Sherman mas
submitted his annual report to the Secretary OF war
dated st. Louis, Mo-. Oct "A, ard shows the strength
army according the latest returns rececu up
to Oct 49, 1874 The total number OF enlisted men Nv
that date was 2e,4n. Gen. Sherman says: nave no
doubt that by the first Of January 1875. the numpe Vi
enlisted men will be reduced by ordinary CASUALTIES
discharges, and deaths, to the number limited py '""
namely, $1,000, and will venture the expression "
opinion that this limit forces the companies 70 50 sn
standard that the efficiency Of the service is greatly
impared thereby 1t is utterly impossible 10 MAINTAIN
the companies remote stations up to the very sma
legal standard because months must necessarily e"Pso
after discharges and deaths before recruits can po
sent from the general rendezvous" He theh
refers to the several military ui'i''o"'
and departments into which the country
is divided, and to the reports Of commanding ocers aS
to the condition of the troops the changes that nave
occurred &C. In regard to the Military Division OF the
South he states: "snce the rendition of the report OF
the commander thereof, owing TO the disturbed coma"
ton of civil affairs there and the constant requsl,IVs
OF the civil officers for military help the 18TH ln'
has been ordered NewOrleans, aud six companies OF
the 7h Cavalry have also been ordered to me T
troops together with what were previously on guy
there, are deemed amply adequate 10 tie heoess,,.
Referring TO the Military DIVISION or the missouri
manded by Lieut.-Gen +. H. Sheridan he says this ln
pOrant division embraces substantially all tne terro
east of the Rocky Mountains the Mississippi River
and east including The States OF Illinois and Minnesota
Within this immense area arc grouped most oI the
indan tribes who in trunsilive state from savage
h9rbarism to q condition of comparative cvillzaton'
is within this area that there has Oeen ana mus con
tnue for years TO come that contact or the roner @
tiers with the aboriginal savage. resulting IN cnrohc
state of war. -.t.,,r
During the past year. by the extraordinary activity
of the troops and the good OF military occs
the frontier has been comparatively sale va ,ho h
northern line Of Texas and southern line OF KANSAS @ ,n
untamed savages KiOwas, Comanches. Cheyenues, anc
Arapahoes, began this their usual raids ana us
manage their respective tribes by the usual humane
and Christian treatment, the whole subject was turned
over to the War Department ana cOihlnltteu
TO the management of Lieut.. Gen. sheridan, who
has laid hold OF it with his accustomed energy.
He is this moment down in the Indian country near
Fort Sill giving his personal attention 10 the suJect'
and doubt before the Winter is over these In
dians will learn lesson which VIII enable tne CIV.
agents bring them within the sphere OF hunanlzatoh
if not Of civilization In regard TO the Military Dlvis
ion OF the PdcG composed Of the Departments OF all
fOrnia, Columbia aud Arizona, he says tEese DtPat
menls luckily 50 remote from headquarters that 70
the officers oil the spot Is left the supreme vi AZ
the Details and the consequence Is the utmost harmony
Of action ana economy OF gt
VISION aud the prompt action OF Cen Jei " DAVIS IN
Oregon last Spring, we are indebted 10 peacelu
non OF what for time threatened 10 be war with the
ShOshOnes and Snake Indians.
Also Gen. Crooke. being armed with full authority
and but little pcaed with civil agents and their ad.
minstration, has maintained an almost unnterrupted
peace IN that difficult country, Arizona inclose
the reports OF all these officers and refer TO them with
pride samples Of military literature clear ana concise
IN the statement Of facts, and demonstrating tIat the
small army OF the United States, called peace estab-
snment Is the hardest worked body OF men IN THIS or
any country The discipline and behavior OF the officers
and men have been worthy OF all praise. and whether
employed the extreme and distant frontier or In aid
ing the civil officers in the execution OF civil processes.
have model for the limitation OF all good men, ln
regard TO the removal ohis headquarters to St. Louis
he Gays: 81 am prepared to execute any duties that
NAV he devOlved ON by proper authority Here am
centrally located, and should occasion arise, can per-
sonay proceed to any point Of this continent where my
services are needed"