The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-15

sicnee 10 the command. upon the recommends
ton of General Sheridan, under the following
orders
WASHINGTON, April 5, 1886.
General Nelson A. Miles, Fort Leavenworth. Kan:
The Acknowledgement directs that on assuming
command OF the department of Arizona you fix your
headquarters temporarily at point the
Southern Pacific railway He directs that the great
est be taken to prevent the spread of hostites
among the friendly Indians in your command, and
that the most vigorous operations looking TO the do
struction capture of the hoses be ceaseless car
RED on. He does not wish to embarrass you by I'M
dertakng, at this distance to give specific instruc-
ons in relation to operations against the hosties but
It is deemed advisable to suggest the necessity OF max
your command 1t is desired that you proceed to Ari
zcna as as practicable. r. G; DRUM,
Adjutantgeneral.
The Acknowledgement says General Miles
went Il york with commendable zeal His
troops followed up the hostes with vigorous
energy, broke up their camps by attack four or
five times, and gave them no rest until they sur
rendered, Sept. a, under circumstances and
conditions, however, that should not, in my
judgment, permit their being turned over to the
civil authorities for punishment as was intended
by the President. On Sept they were started
by General Miles TO Fort Marion, Fla, without
authority, but at a later date stopped at San
Antonio till their final disposition could be de-
cided upon.'
The report states that the arrest of the Chiri-
cahua Indians and their removal TO Florida had
been ordered by the President, notwithstanding
the objections OF General Miles that 1t might be
charged that the government had taken adj
vantage of the Indians, and that such action
would necessltate war of determination against
the hosties then in old Mexico
The report notes marked decrease in the
number of deserters from the army during the
past year, as compared with preceding years
The percentage of desertions in 1884 10, IL
1885, Ill., and during the past year, 8.3. On
this subject the Lieutenant general says: "The
great decrease since 1884 is due. no doubt TO
the improvement of the administration and to
the benehcent legislation which provides for
honorable retirement of enlisted men after long
and faithful service. He suggests that law be
passed permitting the marking of convicted
deserters with India ink, that they may be
known when they present themselves for
enlistment
The report states that the army generally is
In a very healthy and gratifying condition, and
the discipline excellent. But few officers have
been tried by court-martial during the year. and
the opinion is expressed that there has not been
period in twenty five years when so little ne
cessity has existed for the correction of those
gress open the retired list to the extent of EN-
Of vacancies. General Sheridan says: "'Thls
would give certain degree of promotion, and if
ne could get the infantry regiments increased to
swelve companies, as proposed by the Henderson
bill, and the increase of Ave thousand men re-
ported favorably by the Senate military COM
mttee last winter, state of efficiency and use
fulness would be reached which would enable US
to creditaby perform such service as the coun-
try might demand