The morning call., 1891-11-02
MILITARY NOTES.
There Are Now Seven Troops
Composed of Indians.

Brigadier-Gener Beekman Du Barry, c.
G. S., renews in his annual report the rec
concentrations made so frequently in ten
years fayeripg some provision OF law for
the enlistment of cooks and bakers In the
army. Under the present system tempo
rary details are made from companies to
serve as cooks aud bakers, and as the men
are often inexperienced they have little
fondneSS or aptitude for the duty, and from
the temporary nature of the employment
take but little interest in it. ''Of cooks
there should be one to each company, troop
or battery. and of bakers one for each gar
risoned post. l commend the matter TO the
special attention of higher authority, believ-
Ing II TO be one OF the greatest Importance
for the health. comfort and efficiency of the
enlisted men of the army" says he.
Major-General Schofield has good word
IN his annual report for the " Don-eoms"
when he says: "In this country the differ
ence between the lowest commissioned grade
and the highest non-cOmm ssioned grade has
always been too great. This disparity has
been made still more apparent in recent
years by the progress of general education
and such Improvement in the art of war and
the tactics OF armies as have imposed much
more important duties and responsibilities
GERS of the line. / respectfully recommend
that the pay of these non-commissioned Off
GERS be increased, so as 10 equal those of like
grades in the Corps of Engineers
Speaking on the subject of canteens Gen.
eral Howard has this to say in his annual
report: From consultation with officers
In charge of these canteens | am of the i'm
preston that the evil that the sale of beer
engenders IN making it creditable for re-
crults to drink, more than counterbalances
the restraining effect it exercises on the
ha0ltual drinkers and confirmed drunkarRs.
The benefits of the system TO large garri-
sons, however, are numerous. l decidedly
recommend that no soldiers be placed be-
hind the bar To deal out drinks to bis COM
rade 1t is certainly demoralizing to have
military subject to act as bar-keeper."
Reports received at the War Department
Indicate that the enlistment of Indians has
proved n marked success So far there are
seven troops composed entirely Of Indians
and two troops are in the course of forma-
ton. These enlisted Indians can all read
and speak English. They obey orders read
ily are intelligent and quick, and In fact, it
is stated make model soldiers, / is stated
at the War Department that an Indian
troop will probably be transferred 10 Fort
Aver during the coming winter.
Since year ago the following named mil
ltary pests, being no longer necessary. have
been abandoned: Forts Abraham Lincoln.
North Dakota; Davis, Texas. Lowell, Ari-
IONA; Marcy, New Mexico; Shaw, Mon
tana; Selden, New Mexico; Union. New
added TO the number practically abandoned
during the last two years. amount to twenty
eight military posts. Fort Biawell. Cal, has
been temporarily reoccupIed by a small
fore.
Brigad er-General Alexander he'd. Nc
Cook has been detailed to act as member
of commission TO be appointed by the See
rotary of the Interior under the provisions
Of the act Of Congress making appropria-
tions for the expenses of tue Indian Depart
Navajo Indian Reservation in the Terrific
rieS Of Arizona and New Mexico for the SUI
render of portion of said reservation.
Captain Daniel Z. Callinan of the First In
fantry and stationed at Benicia Barracks
has been retired from active service. having
been found incapacitated on account of dis
ability.
Orders have been issued for the abandon
nent of Forts Cummings and Marcy, Y.
Mex, and a portion of Fort Assiniboine,
Mont.