The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-11-17
Army Report.

WASHINGTON. November.
The annual report of General Sherman was
made public to-day. 1t is accompanied by the
reports of the Division Commanders and of
Northumberland Sheridan and Inspector
General Iackett.
The report shows the general staff to consist
of $40 officers and l.2l2 enlisted men. The army
proper consists of ten regiments of cavalry,
43I officers and 6,3s3 men: five regiments of
artillery, go officers and !, 1893 men; twenty
five regiments infantry, 81 officers and s,173
men; total, including unavailable men detailed
at various points. being 2165 officers and % Oai
men.
Genera. Sherman says the experience of
the world shows that but O. per cent of an
army is available for active service, and as
25.G00 men are really needed for a standing
army he recommends that the limit of the
army be increased to 10000. The officers and
men in the army are now, he says, over
worked, and must continue so unless the
number is increased. He reviews the work of
the year somewhat in detail, arriving at the
conclusion that there has been q less number
of Indian outbreaks in the year than at any
time for twenty years. Part of this is due to
the efficiency of the army, and part to the ad-
vancement of civilization in the West.
The report devotes considerable space to
the growth of the Great West, and says that
now that the transition period is past, it is due
to the Government to select certain strategic
points for permanent army posts, and con-
struct comfortable buildings on them so Us not
longer to compel the officers and men to live
in holes in the ground, shanties or green cot
tonwoOd loghuts, rs heretofore.
There have been La trials by court martial
during the year. He recommends a change
m ODrf nj
the present system was established by custom
in the English army a hundred years ago,
when the habit was to dine at three o'clock
ana get drunk after dinner. which habit is
now, happily, done away with.
The number of assertions during the year
was 3,s2l. and of enlistments and re-enlist-
ments I-3il. Commenting on the number of
assertions, he says many are those of men
who enlist in Eastern cities, and after getting
free transportation West desert knowing
there will be little effort to bring them back or
punish them. The remedy, he thinks, is in
better treatment of those who stay. and more
severe punishment of deserters. He recon-
mends an increase OF the pay OF men to SIG
per month, instead of .$la. as now, and that
punishment for desertion be made more
severe, even intiicting capital punishment in
aggravated cases, as is done by other countries.
The general condition of the army person
mel has been improved, rs has the general
condition of the people of the country at
large The recent rifle contests have made
great improvements in the craftsmanship of
the men, and he recC mmends an appropria.
ton for continuing the work He recon-
mends the adoption of some plan by which
regiments and officers can be given definite
terms in remote posts, and be then allowed
TO return to the comforts of civilized life and
their places be taken by others. He recon-
mends the employment OF teachers for schools
at posts. saying men from the army cannot be
spared for this purpose. and remarking tha1
as officers, in spite of sage advice. will marry
and have families, they ought To be provided
for in the best manner possible.