The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-11-30
General Sherman's Annual Report.

| WASHINGTON, d. C. Nov. 23.-Gen Sherman,
/ in his annual report to the Secretary of War,
! says: BY the assignment of Maj Gen. Schofield
| to the Superinteudency of the Military Academy
that institution is made to equal that of division
| command, and West Point should rightfully con-
| stitute military department, so that its super
| intendent, as the Commanding General of a De-
| partment, may exercise all the powers and func
| tions of such commander, especially to order
General Courts, or disapprove their findings, and
to execute all sentences not specially reserved by
| the articles OF War to the President and Secre-
| tary of War. The Military Academy, in addi-
ton to its well established character a literary
and scientific school, should form the model for
an army, and the habits of youth trained therein
should be in exact accordance with what expert
| ence has demonstrated to be necessary for the
efficient government of an army in the field. Gen
Sherman says that the Roadway made under Gen.
Schofields administration will enable il to take
| rank among the first educational establishments
of the world.
THE AGGREGATE FORCE
OF the army now consists of p, 3]I men, all of
whom are as actively employed as though war
existed. By the subdivision Of territory every
foot Of the country is under the supervision of
general officer near at hand, with a part of the
army proportional TO the supposed necessity TO
maintain order and peace, whereby the settle
ment Of the country may progress, and civil
officers be enabled to enforce the laws of the
United States. On the
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ATLANTIC
there no hostile Indians, but troops have
been actively employed aiding United States
Marshals in enforcing the revenue laws, and in
protecting the weak against the prejudiCes OF
the strong. In the frequent cases of civil cleo
tiOns these duties call for the highest qualities of
frmness and prudence. and ! am sure the be-
havOr Of troops in every instance has command
ed the respect OF all men. The care and preser-
walton of public property, and of seacoast forts,
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
and continues. |
session Of Gen. Sherdan's report, but, in antici-
patton Of its receipt, will endeavor 10 give con-
else account of some of the chief events as gath
cred from reports and letters received during
their progress. In the
DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
the troops under Gen. Augur have been shifted
ties, under the same state Of facts as in the De
parment of the South, with similar results, and
have always used their power with consum-
mate discretion and good judgment.
on THE TEXAS FRONTIER
especially the Mexican border-has long existed
unsatisfactory 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
General Ord's letters and reports, there
seems to be an organized system of
robbery by small bands of MeXicans and In
dians, who cross to the Texas side, commit
murder, steal horses, cattle, ETC., and escape
back with their stolen property to the other side,
where they are comparatively free from punish
ment and pursuit from our troops, who rarely
hear Of the raid until tits too late to intercept il.
i believe no one suppOses the authorities Of the
National Government OF Mexico can be privy to
this nefarIOus business, and 1t Is probably car
red in spite of the better people on both sides
of the border There are now in Texas two reg
iments Of cayalry-the sth and l0th-which will
be filled up as rapidly as possible to the maxi
mum standard; also three regiments Of infantry
the 10th, cath andE5th-which are necessarily
very small under the existing laws. Still
hope. with increased activity, these troops will
border
which discourage settlement and are otherwise
DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
the Indians of New Mexico have been remark
ably good, and the kiOwas, COmanches, Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes, located on the reservation
at and near Fort Sill. have been exceptionally
quiet, this summer, though requiring, for rea-
sOnable security to the Kansas frontier, pretty
strong garrsOns at Forts SILL Elliott, Dodge and
Supply, and small garrisons along the Arkansas
River and Kansas Pacific Railroad.
THE WAR WITH THE SIOUX.
The chief events to which Gen. Sherman refers
are those relating to the war with the Sioux; and
after giving detailed history concerning late
expeditions against them, and the death of Gen. |
Custer with his command, etc. Gen. Sherman !
says: Col. Hazen, of the 9th Infantry command |
ing Fort Buford, has started up the Missouri |
River for Fort Peck, with four companies of his |
regiment 18th Infantry, 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 retreat down Bad Route |
Greek, and to have resumed his course for Fort /
Peck or the British Possessions. Col. Miller re- |
ports his purpose to replenish his supplies, and |
TO turn north and follow this last desperate band
To the death. Gen. Crook reorganized a new |
column at Fort Fetterman, with which he left on |
the 9th of october for another early winter cam
paign against that faction of the hostile Sioux
under Crazy Horse. Gen. Sheridan, in
his last dispatch on this subject, uses this
language, which l cordially indOrse: elf
successful, Of which l do not doubt, the
Sioux war and all other Indian wars in
country w hp
ever" The arrangements made for hemminC in
and capturing the remainder of the hostile Sioux
during the winter must result in comparative or
complete success. Meantime NO change can be
this year at the Agescies, but trust |
next year all the Sioux nation will be compelled
TO remove to the Missouri River, near Fort Ran
dall, where they can be guarded and fed at one
halt The present cost, and where, if there be any
chance to clvilize them, the opportunity will be
FAR better than in their present scattered Agen-
ces.