Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-09
ARMY REPORT.
Brig. Gen. stanley Forwards Ills Report to
N63h,n. ton from san hntonio-Cover-
ing Points CT Interest.

Special to the Gazctte.
SAN ANTONIO, TEX. Nov. 8.-Brig.-
Gen. David :. Stanley has completed
and forwarded to the department at
Washington his annual report. 1t says
IN substance: The desertions in the
department during the past year num-
bered only l49 enlisted men in 22OO,
making & ~ per cent, or 80 per cent.
compared with the previous record,
which is the most remarkable showing in
any of the departments OF
the army. The smallest per
cent OF desertions were from
Forts Davis and Ringold unI Compena,
Colorado, indicating that the ISOLATION
of the posts from the larger towns has
tendency to reduce desertion. The
greater number of desertiuns occur dur
ing the first eight months OF enlistment,
and bears no relations TO trial by court
martial, AS the majority of deserters are
never tried.
This year will be classed as a drouth
year in Western Texas, and water holes
and streams and the consequent bad
water has resulted in q fever epidemic,
especially affecting the troops lately ar
rived IN the department. Fortunately
this fever is not fatal kind,
and not death has occurred
In 1873 cases at the post of San Antonio
aud 1879 cases at Fort Clark from June
to August 20. Persons acclimated in
this department are little liable to this
fever
After giving an account of the at
tempted Mexican revolution last sum-
mer, Gen. Stanley continues: Mention
has been made heretofore to the large
territory south of The Southern Pacific
railroad, about l04 degrees of longitude,
forming peninsular, bounded west,
south and east by the Rio Grande.
This wild country, very broken in hills
and mountains and safe country for
rogues TO hide in. The opposite side of
the river, in the Mexican territory, is
still more wild, aud the mountains are
more elevated, rugged and difficult to
cross. Four very shooting murders
have occurred in this wild peninsula
within year. These murders and
general state of lswlessuess throughout
this entire wild country has given rise to
a feeling of much insurity among the
few inhabitants. Ordinarily this would
be matter for the state police, but in
this case it Is claimed, and il seems true,
that the murderers come from the Mexi-
can side, and after their crimes escape to
the same side. Quite lately, viz, August
/, riot occurred at the little town of
Shafter, twenty miles from Pre-
sidlo. Del Norte, resulting In
the death OF several persons.
A detachment of cavalry under COM
mand of First Lieut.. 7. r. Rivers, Third
cavalry, was sent Immediately to the
scene of the disorder. 1t is plain that to
prevent such tragedies we must keep
Id
this wild country, and scout the
rest of it. Arrangements are now being
made to put n permanent camp in near
the vicinity of Preside del Norte, and to
establish patrol on the river. This
should keep the department informed of
what is going on in this out
of-the-way place, and enable US to
forestall such murderous affairs as have
long disgraced that section OF the coun-
Try The late consolidation of the COM
panies OF infantry and of troops of cav
airy have given barrack room at several
of the posts, and regiment of infantry,
or oue-half of one cavalry would
be desirable for property Rarrisoning
the posts Of this department. My recon-
mendation OF former years to buy the
old post of Fort Duncan Is renewed, aud
] would recommend the building of
quarters for one company post at
Del Rio. This 10 the proper place
for the military post, and It
IS only question Of time when Fort
Clark will be abandoned for this place.
A small post here we hold the lease of
Pena, COL, is desirable. Another at
the New Camp, New Preside del Norte,
is necessary TO Eli our frontier system OF
picket posts.
The report then makes some valuable
suggestions concerning commissary sup-
plies, and pays high compliment to the
Texas militia which WAS encamped here
during the early summer.