New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-04
AN ABSTRACT OF THE REPORT.
THE STRENGTH or THE ARMY NOT SO GREAT A
POPULaRY SUPPOSED.

THE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY NOT SO GREAT As
POPULhRY SUPPOSED.
WASHINGTON Nov. 3.-General Sherman 5
annual report TO Secretary of War was completed
to-day II preaced with the usual tabular statements
and returns compiled by the Adjutani-General Com
menting on the tables General sherman saws:
The eleven Generals, 500 officers. 20,566 men and
233 Indian scouts, together with such ohs ers OF the
stan as are assigned ps tae war Dr.rtinen TO onN ny
Cumulative force" All other parts OF the military e.
adjustment arepovlGcd " Ia. Ior secni serve, nols
less connected with tle Army or the nlhila. Dut
are not available for frontier defeuces Thus for i'll
stance, the 397 enlisted men OF ordnance are in ac
workpcn NJ the arsenals. The 1872 of Engineer
Corps at WlletPs Point, UNDERGOING instruction III
Commander. The l5G of The Signal Corps are en-
ploycd In observing the weather or In working tele
old forts or liked ma.nzines the Isl COmmssa ser
in charge OF stores 1877 men are stewards OF
Hospitals The West Point detachment-lS6 an number
is local zed at the Military Academy. The Prison
guard at Fort LeavenworlI comprses70 men. and the
recruiting attachments absorb ITO men nj Davis
Island. Columbus, Ohio and Jefferson BARRACKS. Mo-
Ihese various % ' n,yoso ano ., osf,tb
part of the enlisted men provided by law for che whole
amy leaving but 30 100 for actual service
mention these figures IN some detail because know
that ills the popular belief shared by many members OF
Sonypass fhai we have 25 900 men for duty. have
done all IN my power to reduce detachnens to the
lowest number possible a. To Afford more men to our
skeefon mpaules but have found it impossible. and
notice that similar detachments reported on all Army
returns fty back There 40 companies III
the regular army 10000 men wouid give % 20 each
which is a. snail company should be, and earn
esly recommend that ask Congress To 80 legisale
that the $4,000 men provided oy law may be allowed
exclusively the regiments OF the line, and That special
provision be made Tor these severa nelcbm MS hs n"s
already been done for the Signal Service. Ibe Army
cannot with justice lie held responsible Tor the work ot
10000 when 50 large traction !, nec"ssnfiy diverted
Oiher uses perhaps. OF equal National Importance
The abes above referred to show that the grand
gate of the army roll is 21s7 officers and "a 262 in
service aud 3SS officers retired.
THoRNBURGH AND THE UTEs.
General sherman devoies large portion q his report
TO the Ure troubles. He introduces the subject with
history the tribe and then relates at some length the
history of leading TO the movement by Major
Thornburghs command and the detachment Of that Off
GER The orders to Major rhombuIgh commanding
Fort Steele made by General Crook. based on in
dorsements from Army Headquarters. and were dated
September 16 1879 They directed him TO move with a
sufficient number OF troops the White River Ute
Agency, Colorado. General Sherman says:
Under special Instructions Major Thornburgh moved
from Fort Steele, September u, 1879 With tie effective
strength of three companies OF cavalry aud one OF in
and forage for fifty DAYS. force which considered
had only asked for 100 men. Major Thornburgh re-
portcd back from camp Bear River und' date or
September 70 tba Ae usa met come Ulo eheis' VINO
had seemed friendly ana promised 10 70 WIN mn 20 inc
agency. " They saw they did not understand why we
nad come. and he did not anticipate trouble" With
knowledge now OF the result and to throw much
lghI on the immediate OF this war as possible.
rgh and Mr. Meeker.a and viii here record my judgment
that Major Thornburgh was officer and gentleman, OF
ardent ambitious OF good Judgment and no man could
have done better IN lie met death with more hero
ism.
HEADQUARTERS WHITE RIVER EXPEDITION
gP on FOKTIFIcATIoN CREEK, Sept. %, 1879
ELKER, Indian A gent. Whie Rirer Agency Col
e.. In obedience TO instructions from the General
OF the Army. am en route to your agency, and expect
foriine you any assistance IN my power asd 70 make
arrests at your SUGGESTION: and TO hod as uGn
made by your department. have heard nothing deli
what state of aaIrs exists whether the Indians will
leave at my approach or show hostiiities send this
communicate with me as soon possible, giving all
the Information your power, la order that may know
the road at the earliest moment Very respectfully.
your 9eenI MssRsr undcr dae OF
| 81, 1870. as foows'
SIR: Understanding thar you on the way hither
with United states troops. srhu MESSENGER MT Lsh-
ridge and two Indians, Henry interpreted and John
Ayersey 60 inform you thai the Indians are greatly en
place. and that you and five soldiers OF com,
understanding can be had. This / agree to- Bur do
propose order movements but 1t seems for
the troops a declaration OF real In this am
laborine TO undeceive them and at the same time to
convince them they cannot do whatever they please.
| fully, H. c. MEEKER, Indian Agent
Under date OF September 49, 1879. Major Thornburgh
writes TO Agent Meeker as follows:
SIR: shall move with my entire command TO some
convenient cam near, and within striking distance Of
your Agency, reaching such point during the Goth.
shall then halt and encamp the troops and proceed u
municated in my letter OF the 27h inst Then aud there
will ready to have conference with you and the
% SO sse f have eayey
considered whether not IL would be advisable to
Indians VINO were IN my camp last night, and have
reached the conclusion that under my orders which
| quire me to march the command TO the Agency am
not at liberty 10 leave II at point where II would not be
available in case OF trouble You are auhorzed to say
rey dependent them Our desire 10 10 avoid trou-
my letter of :the 10th meet the road before
reached the Agency renew my request that you do
aud further desire that you bring such chiefs as may
| wish to accompany you.
Under date OF L p. In. September %. 1870. Agent
| Meeker replied
Douglass and 5errick TO meet you Things are
able, Douglass hios the United States flag II you
know We bave been on guard three nights and shall
be tonight not because we know there danger but
| Is based on true military principles
Give these letters entire, because believe that Ma
jor Thornburgb acted from beginning TO end exactly
right. 80 did Mr. Meeker and the crimes after ward
committed rest wholly on the Indians
The report then rectes the events incident 70 the
death Of Major Thonburgh. and the subsequent killing
OF Lieutenant Weir and the murder OF Agent Meeker,
and embodes various dispatches and military orders re-
Iating to the movements OF the troops.
READY NOW TO DEAL WITH THE UTts
The General proceeds with the story Il the Ute
troubles He says that great alarm pervaded all parts
OF Colorado and spread 10 New-Mexico AID Wyoming.
Reports Of the widest character pouring ia frem
places thousand miles away from any real danger bus
Generals Sheridan Crook aud Pope. knowing the pro
cvity OF Indians and the intimate relations OF
the bane Of les numbering 1874 souls. whom
about 800 are skilfu' brave Warriors made immediate
PREPARATION for every emergency
Colonel Merritt's force at White River strength
ened TO about 800 men. Colonel Mackenzie win,
Of hrnu