Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-12-03
ARMY REPORTS.

ARMY REPORTS.
recommendations Of Gems. Hancock, Nc.
Dowell, Schofield Pope and Ord.
MAI Gen. W. 8. Hancock, commanding the
nilitA ~ Division ofithe Atlantic, in his annual
report, among other recommendations. asks at
tention tda suggestion of Maj. Arnold as to
the propriety of the passage of law retiring
shose ordnance sergeants of the army who
have merited such privilege by years of con-
tnuous meritorious service He concurs in
| this, and also in the recommendation of the
Inspector General Of the division, that such q
law should apply to all old and deserving SER
| geanas in the army line and staff. a sea-wall
around Governors island is earnestly advo-
Gated.
Maj. Gen. McDowelrs report of tbs military
operations in the Division of the Pacific is q.
long and interesting document He gives D.
detailed statement of the operations in die sew
eral detachments of that division. He urges
an early survey Of the new reservation on, the,
Salinas fcg those interesting Indians, the
Pimas, MaIscopas and PapagOs. He asks the
attention Of the War Department to the irnper-
feet armament of the sea-coast defenses in his
division, the guns being old style, and not suf1-
Gent in number or condition. He devotes
much space to the subject Of rifle practice.
The improvement in marksmanship has been
very decided.
Maj. Gen. Sohofeld, Superintendent and
Commandant at West Point in his annual re-
port says that the instruction in the several de-
partments Of the West Point Academy during
the past year has been fully I'D to the previous
high standard of the institution, and the prog
ress OF the several classes satisfactory 1t is
gradually yielding to the more enlightened and
refined sentiments which govern the relations
between young men of the present day. The
change introduced two years ago by the res
torahon OF instruction in the English language
IN the first years course has proved beneficial
given reasonable facilities and encourage
ment in all arms Of the service, and
to continue their professional studies
in connection with the practical
application of military principles. Without
such opportunities little further progress is
generally made after leaving the academy, and
much that has been learned is soon lost Such
opportunities are now presented for post
graduate course Of studies to the young officers
who are detailed as instructors at West Point,
and to those who enjoy the benefits of the ar
tillery school at Fortress Monroe. The appor-
tionment OF cadetships among the States
and Territories, he thinks, is 30 Just a
feature that it cannot be sacrificed for
the purpose Of securing . higher stand
ard OF admission. Yet there seems to be
no reason why, il there are any candidates who
possess much higher qualifications than the
standard requires, they may not be given the
full benefit OF their superior attainments by be-
ing admitted to higher class in the academy.
He suggests, for the consideration of Congress-,
that the facilities offered by the Military Acade-
my might, at slight additional cost, be made
available for the education of q considerable
number OF young men in excess Of the annual
vacancies in the army, to be returned to their
respective States for service in the organized
militia
Brig. Gen. Pope. who commands the Depart
ment OF the Platte, in speaking Of the Utes,
says it is no longer possible to leave them
where they are without constant collision and
outrage on the part of both whites and Indians.
All military efforts Of the Government to arrest
the movement OF immigrants to the great Ute
reservation must be both futile and pTejudicial
to both the General Government and the State
OF Colorado. The time has come when the
safety of both whites and Utes demands some
change Of location for these Indians. He rec
ommends the consolidation of the Utes on the
headwaters Of the west fork Of the Oharna and
along the valley OF the Navajo. He condemns
the new reservation selected by the commission
sent out last year as being open to all objec-
tons to be urged against the present one
Gen. E. @. Ord, who commands the military
Department Of Texas, states that all the In
dams who have penetrated that country have
been SO holly pursued by troops as to prevent
their doing much damage. There have been
only three murders by marauders during the
year. Last year there were seventeen in the
region referred to. Good order in Mexico and
the cessation Of raids from tha- country have
enabled considerable portion Of the troops held
in reserve to carry out the order of the Presi-
dent dated Jan. /, 1877, to cross the border in
pursuit of raiders, to be diverted for use in
exploring our own wild country, and occupy
ing water-holes frequented by raiding bands
from our own Indian reservations An appro-
priation Of $2O0, 600 for four additional posts
needed to replace those vacated is very earn
estly recommended for the accommodation of
eleven counties now unprovided for.