The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-11-08

GENERAL suEnnAx,s ASsrAr REron1

tEhEkAL huEkHAh'b ANNUAL HEfUHfs
WAsHIEar0E, November 1.--Gencral
sherman to-day submitted his annual re-
port 10 the Secretary Of War, enclosing the
reports of the Acknowledgement and COM
handing generals OF divisions and depart
ments. Referring to the proposed increase
in the regular army recommended in the
annual reports OF the commanding generals
OF departments, General Sherman says:
"All these annual reports with Justice
dwell on the fact that our COM
panies are two small for efficient
discipline and for economical SER
vice. There are In the army 430 COM
panies, which are necessarily widely scat
tered over our vast domain to guard It
properly and TO prevent, a. far as foresight
can, complications aud troubles Of every
variety and kind; at one time protecting
settlers against Indians, and again Indians
against settlers. When these occur it is
always sudden, and achievements have TO
he hurried forward from great distances,
and always at heavy cost for transportation
Of men, horses, guns, andsupplies. This cost
in the aggregate viii, in my judgment, lie
more than sufficient to supply the increase
Of 20 per cent Of private soldiers-all that
| would ask for ut this timc-because be-
leye this increase viii add little II any to
the cost Of the army, and yet give great re-
lief TO our overtaNed soldiers
General Sherman then urges m increase
OF the army proper to 2G,GG0 enlisted men.
In this connection he submits a statement
OF the actual strength OF the army on OctO-
Der 18th, which is shown TO have been
19,S1j combatants and 3,7Sl nOn-combat-
ants. lie also recommends the sale OF many
useless forts along the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts, as well rs great number OF inland
military posts which have become obsolete.
On this subject he says:
81 recommend that you apply TO Con-
gress for authority to submit the whole
question OF coast-deiencc to board Of
high officers OF all arms OF the service, TO
consider the whole question, with instruc-
tions TO report what coast forts shall be
maintained, what sites shall be retained for
future use, and what may be absolutely
sold and, further, that authority be
granted the President To sell tire
same, subject TO any conditions which
Congress may impose. I'm like manner in-
land a great number Of military posts and
stations have either been received from
public domain or have been purchased,
which by progress OF settlement have
become obsolete, yet they need a
military guard for protection. These
are worse than useless, because they
absorb a large fraction Of the small
army which ought TO lie free for action.
For these | would recommend q similar
but distinct board TO make a thorough
study Of the whole problem OF internal de
fence. with similar authority to sell and
dispose Of all posts except such rs are
deemed necessary for permanent occupa-
ton and future USE"
West Point, he says, has been, and must
continue to be, the fountan-source Of mill
tary education in the time OF peace, and in
HIS judgment the military academy there
can be safely trusted to prepare boys to be-
come the soldiers OF the future.
I'm conclusion, General Sherman says ::
81 beg TO assure you that the enlisted men
and officers OF the present army OF the
United States in physique, in intelligence.
i'm patriotic devotion TO honor and the flag
Of the country, will compare fayorably
with any similar establishment on earth,
and with our own army at any previous
period OF our history"