Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-11-19
MILITARY OPERATIONS.
A Summary Of Lieutenant Sheridan'S
Annual Report on the Army.
It's Condition is Shown to be Most Fa-
yOrable in Every Respect.
The Execution Of Maxwell. Fixed for
Monday, Once More Postponed.
THE ARMY.

! THE ARMY.
Lieutenant General Sheridan's annual Report
WASHINGTON Nov. 13.-- Lieutenant
| General Sheridan has submitted to the
| secretary of war his annual report. show
ing the operations of military forces dur
| ing the past year. From the report it
| appears that at the date of the last re-
turns the army of the United States con-
! sisted of 2102 officers and 23,946 men.
Under the head of division of the At
lantic, Sheridan refers feelingly to the
death of General Hancock. He says that
no military operations of importance
/ have occurred in this division during the
year. The recommendations heretofore
made by General Schoseld and his prede-
cessor, relative to the concentration at
some suitable point of several batteries
for their better instruction, are renewed
and attention Is called to the fortitication
| and armament of our sea coast lying
along the Atlantic ocean.
The lieutenant general says that while
the division of the Missouri has had no
troubles approaching the condition of
hostilities, during the year, many opera
tions of a varied nature have been rem
dered necessary to suppress the predatory
raids In Montana Ly Indians from
ono reservation, directed mainly against
the Indians of other reservations; to pro
tect Indian agents from the insOlence and
INSTRUMENTATION of their charges, and to
secure settlers from the lawless demands
of the rowing bands who have been per
mltted on one preteXt or another to leave
their reservations.
The adjustment made with the Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes by the president.
through the medium of the lieutenant
general, i'll July, 1885, has aIlayed all irri-
tation in Indian Territory, but the troops
: in that region have been kept constantly
employed in the prevention of un-
lawful settlements in
THE OKLAHOMA COUNTEY
and its invasion by herds of cat
tie. Unless some legislation is had,
which will especially fix the status of
Oklahoma land, he fears that its many
advantages in the way of beautiful land
scapes and fertile soil will prove con
tinual temptation to the adventurous
population near its border. which in a
short period could make 1t a prosperous
state.
He states that it was his idea to remove
to Florida the Indians held as prisoners
by General Crook, last November, but he
deferred such action.
General Sheridan says: "rhe loss of
Captain Crawford was much to be regret
ted, as he would, in my opinion, have
terminated the cruel and bloody atroci-
ties which continued there after a
few more months" The report then
relates in detail the circumstances
ttending the qualified surrender of Ge-
onimo to General Crook upon terms
which were not approved by the presi-
dent, and the subsequent escape of the
chief with twenty warriors and thirteen
women. Touching the relief of General
Crook and his replacement by General
Miles, Sheridan said that it grew out of
the fact that Crook seemed welded to the
policy of operating almost exclusively
with Indian scouts, and as his experience
was of great weight his policy could not
well be changed with his removal to an
other field.
Lieutenant General Sheridan, says:
Gen. Miles went TO work with
CoNMENDABLE ZEAL.
His troops followed up the hostiles with
vigorous energy, broke up their camps
by attacking them four or FIVE times and
gave them no rest until they surrendered
on September 4th, under circumstances
and conditions, however, that should not
in any Judgment permit their being turned
over to the civil authorities for punish
ment as was intended by the president.
On September Sth they were started by
Gen. Miles to Fort Marion, Fla, without
authority but at the later date stopped
at San Antonio till their final disposition
could be decided upon. The report states
that the arrest of the Chiricahua Indians
and their removal to Florida had been
ordered by the president, notwithstand-
ing the objections of Gen. Miles that it
might be charged that government had
taken advantage of the Indians and that
such action would necessitate a war of
determination against the hostiIes then
in old Mexico. The report notes a de-
crease in the
NUMBER OF DESERTERS
from the army during the past year as
compared with the preceding years. The
per centage of deserters in 1854 was 10.
in 1885 III, and during the past year
S.3. On this subj ject the lieutenant general
says the great decrease since 1884 is due
undoubtedly to the Improvement of the
administration and 20 benefcient legisia-
tlon which provides for the honorable
retirement OF enlisted men after long and
faithful service. He suggests that law
be passed permitting the marking of con
yicted deserters with India ink so that
they will be known when they present
themselves for re-enlistment.
GOOD HEALTH AND DISCIPLINE.
The report states that the army gener-
ally is in very healthy and gratifying
condition. and the disciplin excellent
But few officers have been tried By court
martial during the year, and the opinion
is expressed that there has not been a
period within twenty five years when so
little necessity has existed for the correc-
tlon of those holding commissions. 1t is
suggested that congress open the retired
list TO the extent of embracing the Off
GERS now excluded from it for want of va
cancies. General Sheridan says this
would give 2 certain degree of promo
ton, and if we could get the infantry
regiments increased to twelve companies
as proposed by the Manderson bill and
an increase of 5000 men reported favor
ably by the state military committee last
winter, a state of efficiency and useful
ness would be reached which would enable
Us to creditabIy perform such service as
the country might demand.
The report shows that
THE INSTRUCTION or TIE ARHT
in the use OF the rife or carbine with
which the men are armed has been thor
oughly prosecuted during the year, and
the returns from each department as well
as the resClts of the regular mpetition
exhibits q decided advancement in the
proficiency OF the army IN rifle firing.
The General
RESEws HIS RECOMMENDATION
made in his preceding report touching
the allotment of land in ssveralty 70 In
dians, the sale of the surplus lands and
the creation of a trust fund from
the money realized, the interest
on which shall be turred
over to the Indians for their support.
The report says: I'm considering all In
dians and reservations in the territories
OF Dakota and Montana, We have an
aggregate area OF over 81 100000 acres,
and population of less than 5000. A