The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-11-07
REPORTS TO THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.

Washington dispatches give the fol-
lowing synopses Of some Of the reports
to the Secretary of War, which are to
be submitted to Congress at Its session
In December next:
REPORT OF THE cOMMfssARY-GENERAL.
feely has been submitted to the Secretary OF
War. 1t shows that the total amount dis
burscd for subsistence stores during the fiscal
year ended June 30 last, was 33,51O,55l, OF
which 81, oil, 147 was reimbursed by sales of
stores to officers and enlisted men; $31, SA
was paid by the Interior Department for sup
plies furnished to Indians; $53,S43 was col
lected for tobacco sold to enlisted men, and
the balance was furnished to the Department
by the Congressional appropriation. Gen.
Macteely urgently recommends that the ap-
propriations by Congress should be made suf-
purchase all supplies for cash, and should be
rendered available from the date of the pass
age of the act, SO as to admit of the purchase
and shipment of supplies for distant posts
early in the spring, and thus avoid loss In
Transporting meats, etc, in the hot months of
june and July. Referring to the complaints
made from time to time that stores were not
purchased in the neighborhood of the posts
where they were to be consumed, the Com
missary-Genera1 says investigation has shown
that in most, If not all, cases where this
course has been pursued, it has been done for
the reason that stores Of proper quality
could not be procured as economically in the
vicinity of the posts as from other points:
The number of contracts made by officers Of
the Commissary Department during the year
was over 26, OOO.
The cost value of the rations issued to yell
low-fever sufferers since the 10th Of August
last (up to the 9TH instantly is stated at $24,-
6i9. The Department has furnished supplies
for Indians to the amount of about $43, OUO in
excess Of its reimbursements from the Interior
Department.. Referring to the statements
made by the Board OF Indian Peace Commits
sioners, and reiterated in Congress, that the
purchase of beef and flour by the Indian
service ut some. points is at less than the cost
OF the same supplies purchased for the Army,
Gen. Macfeely denies that the articles pur-
chased were of the same grades.
The Commissary General recommends that
the present limitation of sixteen ounces per
month as the maximum amount of tobacco
that may be furnished to enlisted men, and
charged against their pay-rOlls, be enlarged to
twenty four ounces, as it appears that ma
they are now allowed thus to obtain. The
notifications in the Army ration authorized
last year, it is stated, have given general sat
isfaction.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
The annual report of Surgeon-Gcn. Barnes,
United States Army, shows that there were
disburscd during the year, for medical and
veyiny depots, $5,657.23; pay Of employees,
S35, 3U3. %; medical attendance, nursing, ETC.,
S1,41l.Sl; miscellaneous expenses, i6, Ill IL;
total. $lOO, 545O3; balance june 5O, 1915, $99,
9>S.6s. The greater part of this balance has
since been disbursed, and the remainder will
be required in fulfilling contracts made before
June 80. There were furnished during the
Year eighty-tLr.e artificial limbs to disabled
soldiers. while loo drew combinations for
the same. The monthly reports of sick and
wounded represent an average mean strength
of the Army of ~, 1874 white and l ,S95 cOlored
troops. The total number of deaths reported
from all causes was 256. OF these l2l died
from diseases and 135 of wounds, accidents
aud injuries. The proportion of deaths from
all causes to cases treated was one to 1O7.
The removal of garrisOns from threatened
points, although in some instances deferred
the Army from any serious losses during the
prevalence of the dreadful epidemic of yellow
feeer which has proved SO fatal this year
among the citizens of the Southern States.
The only cases reported in the Army up to
September occurred in o small detachment
left at jackson Barracks. New Orleans, when
the garrison was removed. There were five
cases and two deaths in this detachment.
The Surgeon-Ge next refers to the
work in the Record and Pension Divisions of
the office, and says: The number of official
demands upon this Division during the fiscal
year for information as to the cause Of death in
the case of deceased soldiers and the hospital
record of invalids was 81 ,O74, being rather more
than the average number OF such demands re-
ceived annually since 1870. The number of
unanswered cases on hand at the close of the
previous fiscal year was 1867, making the
total number Of cases to be searched during
the year 39,71." He then refers to the in
crease Of the clerical force in this Division,
authorized by Congress at the last session,
and says the beneficial effect of this increase
of force was speedily felt, and that they are
now gaining upon the cases in arrear.
The requirements of the Army as to medical
officers during the past year have been as fol-
lows: Number Of permanent posts, 100;
number of temporary posts and sub-statiOns,
IA; total, la. The number of military expe-
editions in the field during the year was thir-
ty-seven. These expeditions required the serv-
ices of fifty-six medical officers. There are now
fifteen vacancies in the grade of Assistant
Surgeon. He refers to the act of June 2,
1876, reducing the number of Assistant Sur
geons to 125, and says any further reduction
in the number of medical officers would be un-
wise, expensive and to the injury of the serv-
ice. The present disposition and occupation
of troops creates a necessity for additional
medical aid, and 1t has been found expedient,
economical and in every instance absolutely
necessary, to employ physicians under con-
tract to meet such demands Such employ
ment terminates when the emergency ceases.
INspECToR-GENERAL's REPORT.
The report of the Inspector General of the
Army specifically details the condition of the
various military posts, and gives the reports
OF the several commands az an appendix. 1t
apr ears that the Paymasters have promptly
and satisfactorily rendered their accounts;
that the military posts are in excellent condi-
ton, the discipline good and the character of
the officers without reproach. 1t is recon-
mended that the enlisted men pay more atten-
ton than heretofore to target practice. Alto
gethcr, the report shows gratifying condi-
ton of affairs in everything connected with
the Inspector-General's Department.
The reports of the Bureau Officers in the
Navy Department show that there are now
about twenty naval vessels on foreign stations,
and eight or nine more in the course OF prepa-
ration to be sent abroad. There are none in
the Gulf-those that were there having been
sent north, as usual during the summer months,
on account OF the health of the officers and
crews. and because there was nOspecial reason
for them to remain there. The Navy has now
about fifty vessels of various classes in sea-
worthy condition, apart from eight or nine
larry for home defense. The opinion is ex-
pressed that there should be at least one
hundred seagoing vessels in order to meet all
requirements. The personnel of the Navy is
represented to be in admirable condition.
There are 1901, 10O in reserve. These are
on LEAVE for three months. liable to be called
into service any time; beside, the appren-
tice system affords gradual supply of cdu-
Gated seamen for the Navy, and hence there
Is no necessity for many new enlistmcnts.
The Policy of the Navy Department is not to
repair vessels which would cost ~ per cent.
over their original value. The wear of yes
sells is estimated to average 10 per cent. per
annum. The work in advance is principal,
confined to rifling smooth-bore guns, the Rod
man and Dahlgren seemingly going out Of
use. Experiments with torpedoes show their
practicabilfty, and efforts are made to per-
feet this means of warfare. The fact is es-
tablished and admitted by foreign military
and naval officers that the gunpowder
used in our Army and Navy is much SUI
peri0r to any of their own in prOpulsive force.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
The annual report of Gen. A. A. Hum
phreys, Chief of Engineers, is devoted mainly
70 the two subjects of Notifications and river
and harbor improvements. It is shown that
during the fiscal year ending June 80, the
sum OF 81, ~, $50 was expended for the im-
prOvemcnt of rivers ami harbOrs, and q bal
ance OF 81 ,OSS ,675, re N lining from the prevf-
Gus appropriations, is available for use dur
ing the present fiscal year. The act of June
Is, 1873, made provision for two hundred and
fifteen works and for surveys and examine
lions at one hundred and sixteen places, ap-
. - 49, a.