The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-11-12
sHERIDAN's ANNUAL REPORT.
The Inadsquaey Of the Army to meet Require
ments.-Extraets from Pope's Annual Report.
A Good wozd for the Boys in Blue and the

The Inadequaey Of the Army to meet Require
ments.-Extraets from Pope's Annual Report.
"A Good Wosd for the Boys in Blue and the
Western Country. -'
CHICAGO, Nov. 9.-General Sheridan's
annual report to the General of the Army
sets forth that there are, independent of the
Department Of Dakota, 1850 officers and
men; independent of the Department of the
Platte, 2,S40; independent Of the Depart
ment Of the Missouri, 1870, and indie
pendent Of the Department Of Texas,
$3.50. He wishes again to put him
self upon record Is considering this force en-
tirely inadequate to the great territory and
the numerous demands upon the army from
Northern and Southern borders. The ratio
Is about man to every Is square miles, and
in Texas man to every 125 square miles
The result Is the troops are frequently over
worked, and are often compelled to take the
field against greatly superior numbers. The
officers and men are equal in intelligence, &C
tivity and devotion to duty to any army in
the world, and no army Of its size accom-
plishes one-third as much hard work from
one years end to another. He refers TO the
rapidly with which immigrants are taking up
land In the Far West. He says our frontier
Is 50 extensive that for the present we are
compelled to adhere to the system of small
posts, though it Is both inconvenient and ex-
pensive. General Pope in his report calls
attention to this and urges change !; but
until roads now being built throughout our
Western and Southwestern country are com
pleted II will not be wise to alter the exiSting
condition Of Affairs. When these roads have
made their connections with the Pacific slope
and established their terrnini in the noun
tains It will be time enough TO move In the
matter. Still, that time Ii not for distant,
and II Is well enough TO discuss in advance
the questions Of permanent posts and regi-
mental garrisons, and I therefore call partic-
ular attention to General iPcpe's arguments
In favor Of change lin our existing frontier
system. Among our strongest allies, on the
North, Of civilization Of frontier, are the
various railroad companies who are now CON
structing their new lines with great rapidity
In the Department Of Dakota The Northern
Pacific Railroad has crossed the Missouri river
at Bismarck, and Is now $50 miles west of
that point, and confidently expected to reach
the banks Of the Yellowstone by next sum
mer. The Chicago & Northwestern Rail
road has completed branch road to Fort
Pierre, on the Missouri river, and has already
finished surveys to Deadwood, Dakota, which
4 10 expected to reach next September.
The Chicago, Milwaukee h St. Paul, Rail-
road has . branch road 10 within few. miles
Missouri river, andexpsctsto reach the Black
Hils Of Dakota By next September. The
railroads above mentiOnsd lead 10 the extern
stse basin Of the upper Missouri, lying be-
tween the Big Horn mountains and the Bfxck |
Hiih 81 Dakots on u south, the boundary
line between the Unitea States and British
America on the noEtA and the main chain of
the Rocky lountoins on the. west, and in
Guiding portions Of the Territory Of Wyom-
Ing neaziy Cd Of shs Territory Of Montana
and The whole tcfAhss Territory Of Dakota'
y Y section of 0eat valns on account Of |
its exfensive and rSch grazing lands. Avery
light an Of rim IN the latter part ar tbs,
esnnsvidoss ma rSs che GlaSs, but i sIovIv |
dries On the groand and beoo1nes GOOD and
nutritious hay without Tia usual, trouble 81 /
g and curing, and experience proves
No. bsasy sneuehs - pesvsnt cnftIs frrrr -
sil9 80 I'D during ~ sntlrs year. An |
though the winten are cold thew .ss irx.ss
bly, ~ and clear. not subjected to aiternase