Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-18
MOVEMENT OF TROOPS
Official Explanation of Yesterdays I'm
portant Army Order.
Not More Than TwO-Thirds of the
Army Remains I'm the West
Concentrating Regiments.

concentrating he81mentS.
The Secretary Of War has issued state
ment in regard to the purpose and effect OF
the general order for the movement OF
troops, which was published In full In yes
terday's Star. He says: The order for the
discontinuance Of the three recruiting posts:
Davids Island, Columbus Barracks and JEFF
ferson Barracks. contained the announce
ment that the troops to occupy those sta
lions would soon be designated. The or
ders now issued by the War Department.
and which have for some time been under
cansider alton by Secretary Lamont and
Gen. Schofeld provide garrisons for the old
recruiting depots, and also contemplate a
considerable concentration Of the troops.
Several of the smaller stations east Of the
Mississippi. as we'll as few in the western
country, are given up as no longer neces-
sary.
In pursuance Of present arrangements, ten
Of the twenty-five regiments Of infantry
will be concentrated at single posts This
policy of concentration, instituted several
years since, and which has been so strongly
urged by the colonies OF regiments and the
major general commanding the army, will
be adhered to, and substantial results will
now be seen, for when the orders issued TO-
day go into effect there will be sixteen gar
risons of strength exceeding a full regiment
of infantry, and twenty-five others con-
sisting of from four to seven companies.
The regiments that are to be brought east
in whole or In part are the third and sixth
cavalry, the thirteenth and seventeenth in
fantry, and the whole twentieth infantry
takes station at Fort Leavenworth. All
these commands have been serving in the
remote west almost continuously since the
close of the civil war, and have. by most
faithful and arduous service earned the
consideration now bestowed in assigning
them to pleasanter stations Several other
regiments that have been a long time iso-
lated also deserve a change. but the trans
portation funds now available will not suf
flee to meet the expense this year Of any
more extended movements than have been
decided upon.
Collecting Scattered Companies.
The posts Of Leav enw orth and Myer have.
heretofore. been yaTrisoned by separate
compa MES. At the present time fourteen
regiments are represented at these two gar
risons. Secretary Lamont and Gen. Scho-
field have been opposed to the continuation
of this system which was instituted many
years ago. believing that the regiment
should, as far as possible, be kept intact.
and the former system Of making up the
garrisons OF these two important stations
will be discontinued.
The tenth infantry that has heretofore
been scattered between five posts from, the
Eow come together at Sill and Reno, while
the whole NTH regiment. formerly occupy
ing five stations. will be assembled at Fort
Mcpherson, Ga.
AS soon as some changes are made in the
quarters at Jefferson Barracks and Column
bus Barracks. the two troops Of cavalry now
ordered to the former will be Joined by
four other troops, and the remainder Of the
apn inf Mt mill ha 70
bus Barracks, making the latter a regi-
mental post Davids Island will be occu-
pied by the artillery. as the modern FORTH
cation that has been constructed there to
command the sound entrance to New York
harbor Is now receiving its armament, and
requires an artillery garrison. Fort CO.
lrmbus on Governors Island, which. under
modern conditions. cuts no figure in the per-
hereafter. be an infantry post, to be ulti-
Tately increased to a full regiment
East and West of the Mississippi.
The total number of companies now serv-
ing east of the Mississippi is one hundred.
In future 1t will be 119. occupying thirty
one posts. The gain to the east. of course
comes from the west, but the number of
posts remaining west Of the Mississippi is
forty-nine. and these are garrisoned by
245 companies, without counting the Indian
companies. of which there are seven. 1t
will, therefore. be seen that not more than
two-thirds of the regular army still re-
mains in the west. Congress has ordered
the building Of two new posts. one In Mon
tana and one in Arkansas. When these are
completed other points will be given up,
and the troops still further concentrated.
As respects geographical departments,
Gen. Howards command will be increased
by nineteen companies, the department Of
the Platte loses seven, Colorado four, and
Dakota eight. The movements outlined will
acOnnmipS IN a of fho
concentration, and from the discontinuance
of the expense incident to the maintenance
OF troops at the points abandoned; besides,
in the execution Of the orders heretofore
given many reductions OF employees have
been made, and surplus animals Sold which
will result In a large saving
The change from the old system of re-
cruiting and holding recruits at depots has
already resulted In the strengthening of
companies by about 1900 men, and this
without any change in the number Of en-
listed men in the army, which Is limited by
law to 5000.
Reducing Expenses.
For many years past a considerable num-
her OF Indians have been enlisted as scouts,
each receiving SIS per month. besides ra-
tons. medical attendance. etc. The aggre-
gate cost Of $50 Indian scouts Is now about
$4,000 per annum. 1t is proposed to dis
continue this class Of men, and all their
places in the quota by enlisted soldiers who
will be still further addition to the COM
bative force. and the expense will be much
less than heretofore.
Secretary Lamont expects to be able to
meet all demands upon the appropriation
without additional allowance by Congress.
The garrfsOns will be better located than
heretofore for responding to calls, should
they unfortunately be made. There Is no
present intention Of creating any new
geographical department or Of discontinue
ing any Of the present ones"
WHICH Is THE SAFEST CART