Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-08
UNCLE SANS DEFENDERS.
General sherman's Annual Report.

WASHINGTON, November 7.-General
Sherman has submitted to the Secretary of
War his report for the past fiscal year, end
Ing June 3d. 1882 He says that the limit
of $4,000 enlisted men for the army is fixed
by law, but the fear of exceeding this limit,or
the difficulty OF enlisting in these prosperous
times, has kept the army below what honor
or the necessity of the country demand,
and he most earnestly advises that the limit
be increased to 80, 900, not with the expecta-
tion of reaching that limit, but to spproxi-'
mate It, and thereby make the army efficient
without a material increase of cost.
The experience OF the world is
that of an organized army not more than
66 per cent, can be had for actual battle or
field service, ard as experience demonstrates
that rs, 900 soldiers are needed for the wants
of the country, q number is asked for,
which will produce that result.
At present our soldiers are overworked.
The companies are too small for discipline
or decent appearance, aud he thinks that
the army has earned by actual service this
amount Of consideration from the country.
The reports Of the Department Generals
are submitted with the report OF the Gen
eral Of the army, who says in referring to
them that the military history and changes
of the past year have been most happily
uneventful and peaceful, not wholly for
want Of cause, but because a force was
close at hand in each instance to reach and
punish disturbere.
There have been fewer Indian disturb
ances in the West than in any OF the past
years, owing to the precautions taken by
the proper officers, but this was in a large
measure due to the unexampled develop
ment of railroads in that region, and the
- -
farmers and grazters who are
generally prepared to defend their
own property. This is the real
cause of the great prosperity which now
blesses our country. General Sherman
thinks that the regular army has done its
full share In accomplishing this result, and
claims for it share in It's fruits. The
troops during this transition period have
lived In holes in the ground, In houses
infested by vermin, in temporary
shanties generally without murmur, but
now this battle with poverty is over, or
nearly so, and he appeals to Congress for
generous treatment, for decent quarters for
officers and men, to repeal the law
which forbids anything but temporary
settlers at our frontier posts, and to confer
on the President, the Secretary of War, or
a board of general officers power to desig-
nate places Of strategic importance, at
which to erect suitable permanent buildings
for quartering properly the troops OF the
United States.
General Sherman condemns a good many
relies of bygone ages which still obtain in
army methods. Among other things ne says
courts-martial, following precedent, never
sit later than three O'Clock In the
afternoon. The precedent was estab-
lished hundred years ago In
England. when it was customary
to dine shortly after that hour and then get
drunk. Now ne says the army dimes when
1t can, keeps sober all the time, and there is
no reason why courts martial should not
sit all night, If necessary, the same as civil
jurors do.
He calls attention to the great number of
desertiOns, 3, TIL. The causes Of desertion
as exhibited by the record Of trials are
various, but the chief one is that most of
the recruits enlist in New York or the
larger cities and are transported to the cost
Of the United States to the West,
where, by desertlon at little risk
OF capture and punishment, they obtain
the highest wages. The remedy will, In his
belief, be found In the more liberal treat
ment OF good soldiers and the more certain
punishment OF deserters. Another cause Of
desertion is the small pay Of enlisted men.
Gen. Sherman recommends that their pay
be restored to the standard OF 1865.