Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-01
STATE OF TaEE AssStY.
Sen. sherE,an's Last Annual skcpSr

REoRGAsrzATEoN OF THE ARMY rRorosED-1Rk
INDIAN QUEsIIoS-GEN. CROOK PRAIsED.-aILITARY
EDUCATION. ETC.
General Sherman's last annual report as general
OF the army Is made public to-day II gives the ag-
grgate force OF the regular army 2.l43 officers
and % 335 enlisted men. The year has been one OF
profound peace, with the exception of Gen Crooks
campaign against the Apaches, and this was waged
In Mexico rather than In our own country. Gen. Sher
man praises Gen. Crook highly for his conduct of
this raid and says that under Crooks management
ne believes all trouble will cease In Arizona, and
With quiet in that region the last yeStge Of Indian
warfare In this country.
During the year the military authorities have
given their time largely to military education and
and practical schools Of the army is spoken of nth
admiration. AS result OF the instruction there fur
nisd the general says our officers are prepared for
any military emergency that may arise. The "poSt-
schools for enlisted men do not come in for like
share OF praise.
GEN. SHERMAN ON THE INDIAN QUESTION.
Gen. Sherman's views On the Indian question are
given with his usual emphasis. and will be quoted
against the project to transfer the control OF the
red men to the War departments IT, as reported, an
other movement in that direction will he made
next winter. Gen. Sherman writes: 81 now regard
the Indians as substantially eliminated from the
good part to the efforts of our TROOPS to preserve
order on the piains but still more TO the progress
or civilization and westward march OF population
system.
HIS PLAN FOR REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY.
In view OF the fact OF his early retirement pur-
poseiy timed so as to permit his successor TO make
his own recommendations to Congress, Gen. Sher-
man TefrainS from making many suggestions OF his
own. He advises Congress to adapt the system OF
posts to conform to the recent railroad development
In The far west; urges extra compensation 10 SOL
dle1S for extra work outside OF strictly military
duty; believes Congress should make provision for
q stations TO
home stations after reasonable period of service
and renewS former recommendat tons for reOrgani-
lltion OF the army Oh basis he briefly sketches, as
follows:
"fhat each regiment OF infantry be composed of
twelve companies the S;.lne now with the artiI-
ery and cavalry making three battaiiouS, each OF
four companies in time OF peace. and of eight in
dred men; and that In time OF peace two of these
battalioI,s eight companies shall be maintained
on perfect war footing whilst the other atta lion
lfour compaE!es) may be a mere skeleton. with its
complement OF officers. and used as q nucleus for
recruits In this battalion can be placed the Off
GERS and soldiers invalided by hard service or by
sickness, and such as are not yet weaned of home
influence Or family importantly
Were such an organization to he sanctioned hv
Congress, the military peace establishment could
believe. be maintained on the present estimates.
ana would possess the ineStimable advantage of
admitting OF an increase without disorder or con-
iuslon TO 900 artillery, 12,G00 cavalry and 10000
infantry by the mere scratch of a pen and the
magic wand OF money; and afterwards, 10y doubling
further addition OF a single officer, should have
the respectable force of 5000 men, force large
enough for any probable necessity during the re-
malnder OF this century,"