Year: 1878

year "iii DC granted py congress-


After detailed description Of the work at the
South Pass of the Mississippi River and the amount
of payments made the Secretary says


The epidemic of yellow fever reached Port Eads
about July 26 and although its ravages did not begin
during the last fiscal year it is well to that the
fever became so severe about August that it was
thought necessary to suspend active operations at the
jetties until the fever had disappeared The earlier
portion OF the low water season. during which tne
conducted. has therefore been lost by Mr. Eads and
as it became necessary to allow those of the United
States engineer party under the inspecting ofhcer
who were not thoroughly accmated to leave the
vicinity, the regularity of detailed reports has been


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
The report of the Chief of Ordnance gives full
history of the principal operations of the Ordnance
Department during the year. The erection of build
ings the Rock Island Arsenal has been prosecuted
satisfactorily under the efficient supervision Major
Flagler. Ordnance depots have been established at
Fort Abraham Lincoln, Fort Leavenworth and Chey-
Attention is called to the great importance Of
increasing the appropriation for the manufacture OF
small arms. On the 1st Of October there were in
store reserve supply only 22.5S5 arms OF the
latest model The moral effect OF large supply Of
these arms cannot be overestmated To be pre-
pared for immediate hostilites is regarded great
power which must enter largely an important fac
tor in the determination of international questions
which may may not lead to In accord
ance with the act Of Congress approved No
vember Il. 1877. board of officers con-
vened, by order of the Secretary Of War. for
the purpose of recommending magazine gun for the
military service. All persons interested in magazine
guns were lnv1teu TO submit samples ana appear IN
person. The report Of the Board is submitted with
that Of the Chief OF Ordnance. 1t recommended the
Hotchkiss gun. and upon the recommendation of the
Chief Of Ordnance the Secretary Of War has approved
the action Of the Board and the expenditure under
the law of 10000 in its manufacture.


The Chief of Ordnance is OF the opinion that the
present annual appropriation Of 100000 for arming
and eQupping the militia is insufficient to provide
the arms and equipments necessary to encourage new
organizations and keep the organized forces in proper
condition. He therefore recommends an increase OF
the annual appropriation ! suggest that the atten-
ton Of Congress be invited to this important subject


BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE


In my last annual report invited attention to the
recommendation Of the Judge Advocate General. that
additional legislation should fix, beyond question. .
specific period of limitation to prosecutions i'll cases
OF desertion. The urgent Importance of some wise
legislation upon this subject to which the Judge Ad
vocate General again adverts continues to fully i'm
press me. small army. such as ours, manifestly
needs all that strict discipline do to supply, by
the greatest efficiency. whatever may be lacking in
numerical strength. To this end nothing is more es
sentia than good military code. set forth in plain
ton punishment may follow crime with
tainty and effect Desertion strikes at the
1t not only taxes away from the ranks the numbers
Of those who abscond. but it tends to greatly de-
moralze those who remain, especially when they see
are sometimes found which naturally and strongly
appeal to compassion in behalf of men who deserted
long SINCE perhaps under circumstances of extenua-
ton and having become useful citizens and heads Of
growing families, live in constant and painful dread
Of the consequence Of their crime For SUCH as for
all similar cases, whether military civil, the par
doning power is designed to afford all proper relief


The subject is full Of difficulty. but probably the
the time during which the deserter be arrested at
three years. and provide that the time shall not run
while the accused shall have aosented himself from
shall not have been amenable to justice within that
period.


REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.


The report Of the Inspector General shows that he
and his subordinates have discharged their duties
with ability and zeal Their inspection has estab-
1iahad act af ha mi 99in AZ n
general rule temperate Jealous attentive to their
duties and not addicted to vicious hurtfu habits
The opinion is expressed concerning the rank and file
that we have had finer body of men in service
than at this time The instruction in drills and other
military exercises has been much interrupted during
the year owing the reduced state of the companies
the exceedingly small garrisons and the large amount
Of labor necessarily imposed upon the men in build
ing, repairs, OF public property &c. Proper at
tention has been given to discipline, and it is re-
ported excellent The Inspector General reports that
the military prison at Fort Leavenworth Kan estab
hshed under the act Of May 21 1874. is now in sue
cessful operation The officers assigned to duty with
1t competent and faithful in the discharge Of their
employed. while at the same time they are treated
with humanity and kindness. On the 10th ult. there
were 1913 military convcts confined in this prison.


All the shoes required for issue to the troops are
now fabricated the convicts at the prison. and
Of excellent quality Indeed. it is said by many off,
GERS that we have before had good article
in our army and the additional shops now
in process OF erection completed many other art
ces now purchased from citizens can. 1t is believed
be- manufactured to better advantage there. At the
same time a large number of would be instructed
in useful hanical occupations that would tend to
make them better qualified for selfsupport and better
citizens when they are discharged.


REPORT OF THE PAYMAsTER GENERAL


The Paymaster General urges the repeal OF so much
of the act of July ~ 1876. forbids payment to OFF,
GERS OF the army of mileage for travel ION any rail
road which the troops OF the United States are en-
titled to be transported ree and he states
for this request which seem to me entirely satsfac
tory.


Paymaster General that such legislation be had
will require that vacancies occurring in the Pay De-
partment be filed by appointment from the captains
OF the line from those who have served as ad
ditional paymasters.


also make special reference to that oficer's re-
newed recommendation tor the establishment of the
annuity scheme, which was approved in my last
port, well as by the President in his Annual Mes
sage. Upon reconsideration OF the subject am
still disposed to give 1t my emphatic approval.


The other recommendations of the Paymaster Gen.
ers, all of them apparently wise and judicous are
commended TO the attention Of Congress.


REPORT THE SURGEON GENERAL


The Surgeon General reports the total number of
deaths in the army during the year. from all causes
1t 256, about twelve in one thousand. OF these,
l2l died OF disease and 135 of wounds accidents and
injuries. The removal of garrsons from threatened
points, although in some instances deferred later
than prudence would dictate. has saved the army
from any serious losses during the of the
dreadful epidemic OF yellow fever which has proved
fatal ths year among the citizens Of the Southern
States.


The record and pension division of the Surgeon
Generals ONCE has been called upon for informant
ss to the of death OF deceased soldiers in II 04
cases. being rather more than average number.
There remained file and unanswered at the end of
the previous year s.697 that the total
Der to be searched during the year I'LL
Search made and replies furnished to the proper
authorities during the fiscal year in % 927 At
the close of the fiscal year 1884 remained
answered.


In the division of surgical records large number
of very interesting and complete reports
ceved during the past fiscal year from medical officers
OF the army serving on the frontier with troops
gagged in indian hostilities various matters
nected with surgery; but perhaps subject
received such careful attention that of conveying
the sick and wounded from the field OF battle TO points
OF safety and many the devices that suggested
themselves to practical officers to make the journey
a. comfortable possible to the patients intrusted to
their care.


UNION AND CONFEDERATE RECORDS.


The records of the OF the rebellion both Union
and Confederate, under the charge of the Adju-
tant General of the Army. The work OF preparing
these for publication s under charge of Colonel Rob-
ert N Scott United States Army, to whose report
invite attention. The work or collecting reports of
battles by Union commanders. which not origi-
nally forwarded to this Office, has been unremittngy
prosecuted since the close of the war. and very