Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-08

WASHINGTON. November = General
Sherman to-day submitted his annual
report to the Secretary of War, enclosing
the reports Of the Adiutant General and
the commanding Generals of divisions
and departments. Referring to the pro-
posed increase in the regular army recon-
mended in the annual reports of the COM
manding Generals Of departments, General
Sherman says: "All these annual
reports, with justice, dwell on
the fact that our companies are too
small for efficient discipline and for eco
nomical service. There are in the army
four hundred and thirty companies, which
are necessarily widely scattered over our
vast domain to guard properly and to pre-
vent, as far as foresight can, com
plications and troubles Of every variety
and kind, at one time protecting
settlers against Indians and again Indians
against settlers. When these occasions
occur It is always suddenly, and reinforce
ments have to be hurried forward from great
distances and always at a heavy cost for
transportation of men, horses, wagons and
supplies. This cost in the aggregate will,
10 my judgment, be more than sufficient to
supply the increase of 20 per cent. OF pri-
vate soldiers, all that would ask for at this
time. because l believe this increase will
add little, If any, to the annual cost of the
army, and vet give great relief to our over
taxed soldiers"
General Sherman then urges the increase
of the army proper to 1860 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,Sl5 cOmbatants and 3,7S1 non combat
ants. He also recommends the sale of
many useless forts along the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts as well as great number of in
land military posts, which have become
! obsolete. On this subject he says: "In the
early days of the republic nearly every city
and hsrbor on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts as
well as on the lakes wanted a fort for
protection against public enemies. These
were built and still remain the property
| OF the United States, and the army
is charged in one way or another
with their care and preservation. Very
many of them are now absolutely of no use,
present or prospective, and should be dispos.
ed OF. l will not mention names because of
local feeling. Every such city or
town from Maine to Texas and from
Duluth to Lake George has a local
pIiu6 III lts lOTG anu gdTIlsoHJ duu
II in times past such fort was
built by the United States, any attempt to
withdraw the garrison or remove the flag is
met by local opposition often impossible to
overcome. l recommend that you apply to
Congress for authority to submit the whole
question of coast defense to a board OF high
officers of all arms of the service to con-
slider the whole question, with instructions
to report what coast forts shall be
maintained, what sites shall be retained for
future use, and what may be absolutely
solo; aud, further, that authority te granted
the President to sell the same subject to
any conditions which Congress may i'm
pose.
"In like manner, inland, great number
of military posts and stations have
either been recovered from the pub
lie domain or have been purchased,
which, by the progress of settlement,
| guard for protection. These are worse
| than useless because they absorb large
fraction of a small army, which ought
to be free for action. For these l would
recommend a similar but distinct board to
make a thorough study of the whole
problem of internal defense, with similar
authority to sell and dispose Of all posts ex-
| cept such as are deemed nect ssary for per-
manent occupation and future use"
WesS Point, he says, has been and must
continue to be the fountain source of mill
tary education in time of peace, and in his
! judgment the military academy there can
be safely trusted to prepare boys to become
the soldiers of the future.
| In 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, in pa
| Jriotic devotion TO the honor and flag Of the
country, will compare favorablY with any
similar establishment on earth, and with our
own army at any previous period of our
history"
ARTHUR AND MACVEAGH.
Ex-SecretarY Window, referring in a con-
| versation today to the reported difference
OF opinion between President Arthur and
Attorney General MacVesgh, at a recent
meeting Of the Cabinet, said that while he
does not think proper 10 discuss the nature
of the business transacted at that meeting,
he has no hesitation in saying that the
! published account of the proceedings is
entirely without foundation. Nothing Oc-
| Cured to warrant the assertion that there
was any exhibition Of i'll feeling on the part
| of either Of the gentlemen mentioned. The
| questions under consideration were dis
cussed in a most friendly spirit, without
excitement or disagreement, and no per-
| sonal criticisms were made by any one.
Contrary to report" the Secretary added,
| "the meeting was perfectly harmonious in