New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-02
sHERMAN,s LAST ANNUAL REPORT.
ms OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIoNs-THE
ARMY, TIE RAILROAD AND THE INDIAN.

WAsHNGToN, Nov. 1.-General Shemans
Last annual report the Secretary Of War; dated October
~ was made public to-day The Army consists Of
21i3 officers aud 1880 enlisted men. These figures are
almost identical with those of last year OF General
Crooks campaign into Mexico General Sherman says:
invite special attention to his report because think
he with a masters hand the OF the con-
ics with Indian foes and boeye that il he be per
mitted TO manage tho Apaches in his way all
will Ia Arizona, and with them will disappear
the complicated Indian question which has tested the pa
thence aud courage OF people since the first set
tcmeut 10y whitcs on this continent"
discussing the question OF the education OF officers Of
the Army, cncral Sherman refers particularly to the
ports Of General Merritt, Major Livingston and Colonel
Ous, sup,IHte dents respectively of the Military Acad
envy at West Point the Artillery School at Fortress
Monroe, and the school OF instruction for Cavalry and
Infantry at ont LcayenwOrth, Kan These" he says,
cover he whole ground Of military education nom the
boy ugpou'cd us cadet TO the thorough officer
OF tho several arms OF service; and l
convinced after having seen many OF the
most celebrated military schools OF the world, that
rc among the best ana well adapted 10 the character
Of our people aud Institutions" lie then reviews the
work and Of these schools. The condition OF the
post schools Is not altogether satisfactory and The at
tcuiIncc Il small The reading at al frontier
posts, however, are wei pAtrOni4cd
HE ISuINN. me AIlA.N AND IuE RAILROAD.
TIuins tho Indian question tho Gclcrll Of tho Army
srys: "Iuow regard tho Indians substantially eli
minated from the problem Of the Army. There may DE
sl5uOdlc and temporary alarms, but such Indian wars
"a, have hultO disturbed The public peace and tranquil
ity rc proplblr The Army has been large factor
in producing this result. but it i, not tho only Imn
grafton ami the occupation by industrious farmers and
miner, OF Lands located by the anorsInos have been
larg instrumental to that end but the railroad which
u-cd follow Ia the rear now goes forward with the
picket line In the great battle civilization with barbar
petion OF The last OF the great transcontnenta lines
Of railway has settled forever the Indian question,
the Army question and many others which have hitherto
troubled the country regard the building OF these roads
40 the important event Of modern times and believe
that they account fully for the peace and good order
which prevail throughout our country and for tho
extraordinary prosperity which prevails In this land.
Railroads. however are Observation-Disclosures rather than
substantial They oasily broken anu inter
rupod and constantly call for the protection Of the
military usually posted near the lines.
l. therefore, the recommendation Of last year as
contained letter OF October 10, 1857, That the stiH
tcgic points therein named be adequately enlarged with
permanent barracks 80 a. To accommodate suitable gaIT
sons and that an minor places be abandoned BY the mill
tury THIS VIII III the end result III economy as wen as
oIcl1ncy"
SOLDIERS, TIHm WORK AND FAY.
Referring statements to the effect that United
States soldiers are OyerwOrkcd General sherman says
believe with General Anger that there la, bocn Il
good deal Of loose talk about OyerwOrAug soldiers.
The soldier in America, however. should be paid IN com
parsom with his n,ghbOr, and not according TO tho scale
OF foreign armies. Ho is willing 10 abide by his
contract OF enlistment provided he receives extra
pay propDroncd 10 tho extra Work imposed him when
employ labor not military and the price for this
ira Labor should be pOlOriOuCd 10 its value the spot
when hc i employed carpenter, mechanic or abortr
on roads bridges buildings OF permanent nature Is
only fair that lac should be paid for such labor.
or at least receive credit for 1t to be paid his final
mn tl..
tIe allie gcd excuse for desertiOn."
expression OF opinion that IL viii be round wise TO pro
vide common organization lOr an arms OF service VIZ,
companies, the same with the artillery aud
ary iuakg three battaOns each oil four companies n
time OF peace and OF eight in time OF war;
that each company shall nave hundred men
and that in time of peace two OF these
battalions eight compancsJ shall be maintained a
perfect war footing whilst the other battalion uour com
panies may be- "a mere skeleton with its complement of
Officers nud used nucleus for recruits In this bat
talon be- placed the officers and soldiers
as are not yet weanod of home influence family
importantly Were ouch an organization to be
Iabishment could. believe. be maintained the
present estimates, and would possess the inesuaDlo adj
vantage OF admitting o. AN Increase without disorder or
confusion 10 5000 artillery, l2,OOO cavalry aud 10000
infantry. By the nero scratch OF and tho magic
wand OF money, and, aIIer~aId, by doubling the
enlisted strength OF each company without the
have tho respectable iOroo OF $4,000 men,
force large enough ion any probable necessity during
OF the states would follow suit and should nave
throughout the country these small handy battdlions OF
companies instead OF the large, cumbersome reg
companies, bad tactical unit and In practice
always scattered.
also believe Congress shouid make provision for
the transfer OF regiments lrOn remote stations home
stations after ar detail or period OF service liked by
law Just the English does For instance
tine list Infantry has been the Pacihc coast |
fourteen yolrs and ought 10 IN but there no
money 10 pay tie cost Justice and fair dealing are
qualities WICh OF universal application and am sure
that Congress fair showing win not with |
hold the means Of transportation, especially now |
when the the Treasury Is gTOaDing under |
a surplus revenue, caused In part By the |
conduct OF the very who appeal Them for hon
est believe the Army Of the United States has In the past
years projected, defended and encouraged the
building OF us trnsoOntincnta railroads aud the settle
the great hea which chief causes OF the
great prosperity which now Dlesses our land"