Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-14
Our Troops on the Frontier.
GEN. SHERIDANS ANNUAL REPORT OF OPERATIONS
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI

GEN. SHERIDAN'S ANNUAL REPORT OF OPERATIONS IN
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan, I'm his annual report upon
the condition OF the military division OF the Mis-
souri,, states that there have been many difficulties
In the division during the year, but none OF serl-
Gus nature. The troops In the department OF Da-
kota have been very active In controlling incur
SiOnS from Canadian Indians and half-breeds who
cross the boundary line for hunting, trading or
horse stealing purposes They have been met each
time by the troops and arrested or driven the
border with the loss occasionally OF some OF their
property. and when tents were erected they were
burned. Gen. sheridan thinks that in course OF
time these predatory incursions will cease.
The Northern Pacific railroad now gives to that
large territorial command speedy means of trans
portation from its eastern to its western boundary
lines. Military affairs in the Department OF the
Platte have been peaceful during the past year An
account Is given OF the operations against the
Apaches in Arizona and the difficulty In the Greek
Nations
The school Of application for infantry and cavalry
at For Leayenworth, the report says, has succeeCed
admirably. and IFS value as good practical school
Will soon be felt In the army. There has been
unusual quiet In the Department OF Texas. and the
use of troops for protection against Indians will
soon cease, but new interests are growing UP by
the construction OF new lines OF railroads into Ney
leo, and the International line of the Rio Grande
does now and will continue TO demand attention.
WHY SOLDIERS DESERT.
On the subject OF deSertion Gen. Sheridan SAWS
'In my opinion the excess beyond the ordinary
ratio comes from the mining, railroad, cattle and
agricultural development OF what may be called
the frontier. Many young men In the eastern and
middle states wanting to better their condition by
getting out to the frontier, and not having enough
money to reach this Eldorado, enlist In The army
for the purpose OF getting there the government
expense. That is their real object They get out
to military posts In this way, and to make II
easy for their consciences in deSerting their fag
they complain OF the ration. the work they have TO
do, and then DESERT thus accomplishing the object
they had in view when they enlisted. The commu-
mites to which they go are in sympathy with this
class shield them and do not consider II crime TO
desert. 1t was the same In California in the old
mining days. men enlisting In the east with no
other object In view than TO get out to the Pacific
coast, deserting on their arrival there and going to
the mines"
For many years the extension OF railroads I'm al
directions over the vast region between theMissouf1
river and the Rocky mountains, the report says.
now affords an opportunity for concentration OF
troops and for some time the process OF abandon
ing small posts has been going on.
Gen. sheridan earnestly recommends continu-
ance Of the allowance OF ammunition for target
practise, saying that the liberal expenditure OF
money to carry out the prescribed rifle competitions
will meet with best results