Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-07
GEN. SHERMAN,S REPORT.
Why the Army Should Re Increased
Why the Soldiers Are Entitled to Con.
sideratiOn-WhyI Indian Disturbances
Are Not Sd Frequent Heretofore
Court Martial IL e. forms Suggested, Etc.

Gen. Sherman has submitted to the Secretary
OF War his report for the past year. He says that
the limit OF 5000 enlisted men for the army is
fixed by law, but the fear of exceeding this limit,
Or the difficulty OF enllstng in these prosper
Gus times, has kept the army below what the hon.
or or the necessity OF the country demands, and
he most earnestly advises that the limit be
changed to 10000, not with the expectation of
reaching that limit. but to approximate it and
thereby make the army more efficient without
material Increase of the cost. The experience of
than 90 per cent can be had for actual bat
tie or field service and as experience
are needed for the wants of the country number
is asked for which will produce that result At
present our soldiers are Ogerworked: the compa-
MES are too small for discipline or decent appear
ance, and he thinks that the army has earned, by
active service, this amount OF consideration from
the country
The reports of the department generals are sub
mitted with the report of the General OF the Army,
who says, in referring TO them, that the military
most happily unevPntful and peaceful; not wholly
for want of cause but because force was close
at hand In A., each instance to reach and pun
Indian disturbances in the great west than
in any OF the past twenty years, partly
owing to the precautions taken by the proper OIL
GERS. but in large measure due to the unexampled
development or the railroads in that region and
the consequent rapldity of settlement by farmers
and grazers. 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 It's tull share In accomplishing this re-
suit, and claims for them share In its fruits.
Inc troops during this transition period have
lived In holes In the ground. In houses made OF
green cotton wood logs, infested by vermin, In
Temporary shantleS, 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
shelters at our frontier posts, and to confer the
President, the Secretary OF War, or on board OF
general officers, the power to designate the places
OF strategic Importance at which to erect suitable
permanent buildings for quartering properly the
troops OF the Unite1 States; In the enforcement
OF statute law, compulsory On the army, and In the
In tintainlng discipline, without which an army
would be a nuisance.
RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO TRIAL by COURTS MAR.
TIAL-
According to the report OF the Judge Advocate
General there have been 1897 cases of trial by
courts martial among the enlisted men during the
past year. On this subject, Gen. Sherman says:
sit Is notorious in the army that 80 Of these cases
In the 100 are for simple disorders which, in civil
life, are punished by magistrate without jury.
court martial Is both Judge and jury The easiest
correction for this condition OF facts rests with
Congress, and not with the army The law is In
fault, fOr the men We enlist are the best we can
get for the price paid. believe the price is LIBERAL
when we consider the fact that soldier is In any
event fed, clothed and reasonably maintained at
the cost OF the government The minimum pay
(Sl3 per month) beirg In fact pocket money and Is
the only hold we have on him for fines and for
FIXTURES 1 recommend that articles OF war So 81
and 81 be amended 80 as TO extend the principles
OF the field officers court to every fort garrison
place where the troops OF the United States are
quartered In nine 'places" out of ten there no
field oficers-oniy captains and lieutenants Yet
the necessity for discipline and prompt punish
ment for minor disorders" are the same
The commanding officer OF such ''place,"
detail
preferably the next to himself in the order OF
command-to act as provost judge; TO hear, try,
and adjudge each case IL arises, and to enter up
sentence, which sentence when approved by him
should be executed the same as In OF gaTri-
son court marts. A book OF record should be
kept subject 10 the inspection OF the department
commander, and OF any authorized inspector gene
raj This simple provision will Obviate the neceS-
sity for so many trials which are now Il scandal to
the county General courts martial win, however,
continue TO be necessary for more serious offenders
under the articles OF war and for the trial OF ofc
ana mere invite your attention TO the report OF
u neral Mcdowell, who instances how we cling TO
old notions prohibiting cOurtS-a rtal from sitting
aICar O'Clock pm, because hundred years ago.
IN E1stina, ollicers We're wont to dine and get
Grunk at that hour. Now, we dine when we can,
Keep sooef All the time and there is no reason why
cOuftsnartiai should not sit all night II necessary
10 reach verdict, the same as a civil Jury"
THE CONSOLIDATED KEroRT OF CASUALTIES
for the past year also exhibits loss to the army
by desertion OF 3,72I. This, taken in connection
with the number OF enliStments and rc.enlst
Nsof's, ID uio % ulatter, occasion
great loss OF money TO the government and call
FOR speedy remedy, IL possible.
THE CAUSES OF DESERTIoy,
as exhibited by record of trials are various out
the chief one is that most OF the recruits enlist In
New York or the larger cities and are TRANSPORTED
a: the cost Of the United States to the west where
by desertion at little risk of capture and punish
mcnt they obtain the highest wages. TIE remedy
win IN his belief be fouaJ in a moro liberal treat
lnent or good soldier and more certain punish
aant NJ 1.sSs.r rktrFst
government paid its pr 'ate soldiers SIG per month
and non-commiSSioncd of1ice rs much higher. Now
the private receives OILY SID per month
1859 than befo whilst the prices OF Ilvrg are In
creased rather then diminished. Tho services
expected OF our soldiers are more lsbosicuS, ard
NnaflY Do 4 "a fse con-