Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-12-07
Synopsis of Gen. Sherman's Report.

WASHINGTON, Nov. %.
Gen. Sherman, in his annual report to
the Secretary of War, says:
By the assign nent of Maj Gen. Schofeld
to the SUPPLEMENTARY of the Military
Academy that institution is made equal to
that OF a division command, and West Point
should rightfully constitute military depart
ment, SO that its Superintendent, as the
Commanding General of the Department,
may exercise all the powers and functions
of such Commander, especially to order gen.
eral courts martial, to approve or disapprove
their findings, and to execute all sentences
not especially reserved by the articles of war
to the President and Secretary of War. The
Military Academy, in addition to it's well-es-
tablished character as a literary and scientific
school, should form the model for an army,
and the habits of the youth trained therein
should be in exact accordance with what ex-
perience has demonstrated to be necessary
Tor the efficient government Of an army in
the field.
Gen. Sherman says that the Academy ur-
der Gen. Schofield's administration will take
rank among the first educational establish
ments of the world.
1.-THE aggregate force OF the army now
consists of 25, ,331 men, all of whom are as
actively employed as though war existed.
By the subdivision of territory every fort of
the country is under the supervision of a
general officer near at hand. with part of
the army proportional to the supposed ne
cessity to maintain order and peace, whereby
the settlement of the country may progress
and civil officers be enabled to enforce the
laws of the United States. On the military
divisions of the Atlantic there are no hostile
Indians, but troops have been actively en-
ployed in aiding United States Marshals in en-
forcing the revenue laws, and in protecting
the weak against the prejudices of the
strong in the frequent necessities of civil
Those Init call hp
qualities of f1rmness and prudence, and am
sure the behavior of the troops in every in
stance has commanded the respect of all
men. The care and preservation of public
property and of the seaccast ports is a chief
duty of the troops.
"The chief military events of the year
have transpired in the Military Division of
the Missouri, where state of actual war
has existed for many years, and still con-
tinues. / am not yet in possession of Gen.
Sheridan's report, but, in anticipation of its
receipt, will endeavor TO give a concise re-
port of some of the chief points as gath
cred from reports and letters received during
their progress.
"In the Department of the Gulf the
troops under Gen. Auger have been shifted
from place to place in aid of the civil
authorities under the same state of facts as
In the Department of the South, with
similar results, and have always used their
power with consummate discretion and
good judgment.
"On the Texas frontier, especially the
Mexican border, has long existed an unsatis-
factory condition of affairs. Civil war has
existed in the border Mexican States, and
each faction has at times sought an asylum
on this side of the Rio Grande; but from
Gen. Ord's letters and reports there seems
to be an organized system of robbery
by small bands of Mexicans and
Indians, who cross to the Texas side,
commit murders, steal horses, cattle,
ETC., and cross back with their stolen
property to the other side where
they are comparatively safe from pursuit
from our troops, who rarely hear of the raid
until it is too late to intercept them. be-
lieve no one supposes the authorities of the
National Government of Mexico can be
privy to this nefarious business, and it is
probably carried or spite of the better peo-
pie on both sides of the border. There are
now in Texas two regiments of cavalry, the
Eigh h and Tenth, which will be filled up as
rapidly az possible to the maximum stand
ard; also three regiments of in n'antry, the
Tenth, Twenty-fourth and Twenty fifth,
which are necessarily very small under the
existing laws. Still, Ihope, with increased
activity, these troops will suffice to protect
the border from incursions which discour-
age settlement and are otherwise very irri-
tating and demoralizing.
" In the Department of the Missouri, the
Indians of New Mexico have been remarka-
o.
Cheyennes aud Arapahoes, located on the
reservation at and near Fort Sill, have been
exceptionally quiet this summer, though re-
Guiring for reasonable security to the Kan
sas frontier pretty strong garrsons at Forts
Sill, Elliott, Dodge and Supply, and small
garrisons along the Arkansas River and Kan
sas Pacific Railroad"
TIL chief events to which Gen. Sherman re-
fers are those relating to the war with the
Sioux, and after giving a detailed history
concerning the late expeditions against
them, and the death of Custer with his COM
mand, ETC., says:
"Col Hazen, of the Sixth Infantry, COM
manding at Fort Buford, has started up the
Missouri River for Fort Peek with four com
panies of his regiment to head off Sitting
Bull, who is reported by the surrendered
Chiefs to have slipped out with thirty lodges
of his own special followers during the re-
treat down Bad Route Creek, and to have
resumed his course for Fort Peck in the
British possessions. Col. Miles reports his
purpose to replenish his supplies, to turn
north and follow this last desperate band to
the death.
"Gen. Crook organized a new column at
Fort Eetterman with which he left on the
9th of October for another early winter cam
paign against the faction of hostile
Sioux under Crazy Horse. Gen. sheri-
dan, in his last dispatch on this
subject, uses this language, which /
cordially indorse. If successful, of which l
do not doubt, the Sioux war and all other
Indian wars in this country of any magnitude
will be over forever
Arrangements made for hemmino in and
capturing the remainder of the hostile
Sioux during winter must result in compar-
ative or complete success. Meantime no
change can be attempted this year at the
Agencies, but trust next year all the Sioux
Nation will be compelled to remove to the
Missouri River, near Fort Randall, where
they can be guarded and fed at one-half the
present cost, and where, If there be any
chance to civilize them. the opportunity will |