The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-11-22
THE ARMY.
Annual Report of Gen. Sheridan. In Which
He Makes Very Favorable Snow
ing and Important Recon-
mendaticns.

a
Sheridan has made his annual report to
war department. After describing the
great empire which is under his COM
mand and giving roster of his officers
and troops, he says: In the department
of Dakota unusual quiet has prevailed
during the last year. The Northern Pa
eifc railway has progressed westward
with great rapidity, and bids fair to
reach Bozeman by next summer or fail.
The valley of the Yellowstone is now be-
ing settled by an industrious population.
The trouble which occurred last winter
through the occupation Of the country
along Milk river by Indians and half
breeds from British America has been
successfully settled by sending troops
from Fort Assinaboine TO remove these
intruders to the country whence they
came north OF the boundary line this
winter. The amicable relations existing
between our forces in that section and
the Canadian police at Fort Walsh and
other posts; whereby information OF the
movements OF such Indians is inter
changed, will go far toward insuring
quiet in that direction. Iwould respect
| fully recommend the abandonment Of
Fort Hale on the Missouri river, and
| that the buildings at that place be trans
ferred to the Indian bureau for the es-
tablishment of an Indian school, should
the Indian bureau desire 1t for such pur-
pose. Tn the department Of the Platte
some important changes have occurred
since my last annual report was rendered.
At the proper time during the next ses-
| sion Of congress attention will be called
| to the necessary appropriation for build
| ing q post at Fort Thornburg in the
early spring. / will recommend the
abandonment of Fort Hail. Idaho, and
transfer Of its small garrison to Fort
Douglass or Cameron, Kan. The two
largest Indian agencies in the country,
viz. Pine Ridge and Rosebud agencies,
will have to be controlled principally by
trnnfhssss n the Departments Of the Platte.
Many thousands Of Inalans are at ossUh
of these agencies. Those at Pine Ridge
occasionally become restless and think
, it would be wise to watch them with
sufficient troops held well in hand, for
some time to come. There has been no
serious tfeuble with Indians in the di
vision Of the Missouri during the past
wear. The remainder of the Northern
Cheyennes ct Fort Reno are very festive
but do not apprehend any serious
trouble from them. recommend that
Forts Wallace, Dodge and Larned be
also turned over to the Indian bureau
for use as Indian schools. The school
of application at Fort Leavenworth is IN
excellent condition; is already showing
good results and believe is going to be
of immense benefit to the army as q
practical school. Of the department. OF
Texas little remains to be said, not COW
cred by the annual report of Gen. Augur.
On account of the prevalence of yellow
fever and the changed condition of af-
fairs on the Rio Grande, I shall reduce
the size of the garrison at Brownsville,
leaving there only the minimum force
:. necessary and will remove the rest OF
: the troops to posts higher up In the
country. The wonderful growth Of the
1 railway system in this section is worthy
of remark in connection with its bearing
upon military operations. The exten-
:. : sion of the railroads afford an opportuni.
: Ity for much needed concentration oi
the small companies Of troops into lar
! ger garrisons, where they can be more
: economically supplied and other disci
pline and efficiency increased. have
!. already selected points with a view tt
such concentration as soon as the con
: dition of Indian affairs will admit of th'
withdrawal of troops from the more re
:, mote places. The improvement II
! Workmanship by the troops throughou
the division has been very satisfactor.
! during the past year, officers and mel
: generally having taken the deepest in
!. terest in this subject, earnestly recon-
:, mend liberal allowance Of ammunition
- = to be expended in target practice. TIL
:, several department are. compliments
= for their able and economical admins
: tration.
re An Impossibility.