Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1876 — Synopsis of Gen. Sherman's Annual Report. [ARTICLE]

Synopsis of Gen. Sherman's Annual Report.

I WwowroM.Nov.M. Gen. Sherman, in his auhpal report M By the tMlgnmeat of Maj-Gen- Schofield to the SuperinUlßdeact of the Military Asndetnv that institution le made equal to that of a divtalon command, and West Point ahould rightfully constitute i military depart ■tent, ao that Its Superintendent, aa tho •Commanding-General of the Department, may exei-dae all the powers and functions ofeuch Commander, especially to order general courts-martial, to approve or disapprove their findings, and to execute all sentences not especially reserved by tho articles of war to the President and Secretary of War. The Military Academy, in addition to Its weli-en-toMlsbed character as a literary and oelentifle should form the model for an army, analhh habits of tho youth trained therein •hould be in exact accordance with what experience has demonstrated to be necessary for the efficient government of an army in the field. Gen. Sherman says that the Academy under Gen. Schofield's administration will take rank among the first educational establish■meats of the world. “The aggregate force of the army now consists M 25,331 men, all of whom are as actively employed as though war existed. By the subdivision of territory every fort of the country is under the supervision of a general officer near at hand, with a part of the army proportioned to the supposed necessity to maintain order and peace, whereby the settlement of the country may progress and civil officers be enabled to enforce the taws of the United States. On the divisions of the Atlantic there are no hostile Indians, but troops have been actively employedin aiding United States Marshals in enforcing the revenue laws, and in protecting the weak against the prejudices of the strong In the frequent necessities of civil ■elecuona. These duties call for the highest 'qualities of firmness and prudence, and I am eure the behavior of the troops in every instance has commanded the respect of ail men. The care and preservation of public property and of the seacoast porta is a chief dutv of the troops. ‘•The chief military events of the year have transpired in the Military Division of the Missouri, where a state of actual war ' has existed for many years, and still continues. lam not yet in possession of Gen. Sheridan’s report, but, in anticipation of its i receipt, will endeavor to give a concise report of some of the chief pointe as gathered from reports and letters received during their progress. “In the Department of the Gulf the troops under Gen. Auger have been shifted from place to place in aid of the civil authorities under the same state of facts as in the Department of the South, with similar results, and have always used their -mower with consummate discretion and

rood iudemenL •* On the Texas frontier, especially the Mexican border, has long existed an unaatisfactory condition of affairs. Civil war has existed in the border Mexican States, and each fat-tion ha* at times sought an asylum on thirside of the Rio Grande; but from 'Gen. Ord's letters and reports there seems to be an organized system of robbery by small bands of Mexicans and Indians, who cross to. the Texas side, commit murders, steal horses, cattle, ete., and cross back with their stolen property to the other side where they are comparatively safe from pursuit from our troops, who rarely hear of the raid until it is too late to intercept them. I believe uo one supposes the authorities of the National Government of Mexico can be privy to this nefarious business, and it is probably carried on spite of the better people on both sides of the border. There are now in Texas two regiments of cavalry, the Eigh’h and Tenth, which will be filled up as rapidly as possible to the maximum standard; also three regiments of infantry, the Tenth, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth, which are necessarily very small under the existing laws, Still, I hope, with increased activity, these troops will suffice to protect the border from incursions which discourage settlement and are otherwise very irritating and demoralising. “ In the Department of the Missouri, the Indians of New Mexico have been remarkably quiet, and the Kiowas, Comanchea, Cheyennes and Arapahoes, located on the reservation at and near Fort 8111, have been ■exceptionally quiet this summer, though re--qulring for reasonable security to the Kansas frontier pretty strong garrisons at Forts 8111, Elliott, Dod je and Supply, and small garrisons along the Arkansas River and Kanaa« Pacific Railroad.” Tre chief events to which Gen. Sherman refers are those reiatinit to the war with the Sioux, and alter giving, a detailed history concerning the late expeditions against them, and the death of Custer with his com- ■ mand, etc., Bays: “Col. Hazen, of the Sixth Infantry, com- - mending at Fort Buford, has started up the Missouri River for Fort Peck with four companies of his regiment to head off Sitting Bull, who is reported by the surrendered 'Chiefs to have slipped out with thirty lodges of his own special followers during the retreat down Bad Route Creek, ana to have resumed his course for Fort Peck in the British possessions. Col. Mlles reports his purpose to replenish his supplies, to turn north and follow this last desperate band to the death. “Gen. Crook organised a new column at Fort Fetterman with which he left on the 27th of October for another early winter campaign against the faction of hostile Sioux under Crazy Horse. Gen. Sheridan, in his last dispatch on this subject, uses this language, which I cordially indorse. ‘lf successful, of which I do not doubt, the Sioux war ana all other Indian wars in this country of any magnitude will be over forev r.’ “ Arrangements made for hemming in and capturing the remainder of the hostile Sioux during winter must result in comparative or complete success. Meantime no change can be attempted this year at the Agencies, but f trust next year all the Sioux Nation will be compelled to remove to the Missouri River, near Fort Randall, where they can be guarded and fed at one-half the present cost, and where, if there be any chance to civilize them, the opportunity will be far be tier than in their present scattered agencies.”