Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1877 — Report of the General of the Army. [ARTICLE]

Report of the General of the Army.

Gen. Sherman has submitted his annual report, as General of the Army, to the Secretary of War. He says the following is given as the “ return of actual strength” of the Army up to Oct 12,1877, showing that at that date the Regular Army was composed of: General officers 11 General staff officers 566 Hospital Stewards- 186 battalion. 199 'Ordnance enlisted men 346 Ten regiments of cavalry—officers, 439; enlisted men, 7.911‘ • 8,360 . 28<; . en * 2,606 Tvrentv-fivo regiments of infantry—officers, 877; enlisted men, 8,778.. 9,656 Besides which there arc retired non-com-missioned staff unattached to regiments. Military Academy recruits, unassigned Indian scouts and prison guards, amounting to - ..ju,,,.1377 Signal corns Retired officers.. 801 And General United States Army by act of Congress 1 Aggregating officers and men. 24,601 Of this number the force available for war Is made up of the cavalry, artillery and infantry regiments, amounting to 20,661 officers and men, to which shoulabe added eleven general officers and the officers of the general staff serving with them, together with 570 Indian scouts. For convenience of administration, and to fix responsibility, the country is divided into ten Military Departments, each of which is commanded by a Brigadier-General or the senior Colonel serving in the department, especially empowered by the President of the United States. These departments are then grouped into three geographical divisions comnuuded by th* Lieutenant-General and by

of the Major-Generals. There is also the Deportment of West Point, commanded by Maj.Gen. Schofield, which is somewhat exceptional in Its nature, designed to give due importance to the Military Academy, and to vest the commanding General thereof with power to exercise all tfie functions necessary to insure perfect discipline and thorough administration. Each Division and Department Commander has made an annual rejiort, accompanied by similar reports from his several staff officers, but as these latter are very voluminous, I have taken the liberty to segregate for printing only such as are necessary to illustrate the principal points, leaving the original manuscripts on file with the Adjutant-General for reference when needed. The Military Division of the Missouri, LleutGen. Sheridan commanding, embraces the Departments of Dakota, Platte, Missouri and Texas, commanded respectively by Brig.-Gena Terry, Crook, Pope and Ord. The Military Division of the Atlantic. Maj.Gen. Hancock commanding, embraces the Departments of the East, South and Gulf, commanded by himself, by Col. F. H. Rogers, and Brig.-Gen. Augur respectively. The Military Division of the Pacific, Maj.Gen. McDowell commanding, embraces tne Departments es Columbia, California and Arizona, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Howard and Col. A. V. Kautz.

Inviting attention to annual reports of the officers In charge of Military Divisions and Departments, the General, reviewing such reports, geographically and not in Older of rank, says: "Gen. Hancock’s command embraces substantially all country east of the Mississippi bordering the Northern lakes, the At • lantic and gulf coasts, Including the many forts long since built in the interest of commerce. During the past summer he was compelled to abandon most of them to use troops In protecting property against rioters, a full account of which is embraced In his report. Happily these disorders have ceased, and the troops "have been returned to their proper posts, except the Second and Third Regiments of infantry, which liave been detached to the Indian frontier, scr “Gen. Sheridan’s command embraces substantially the vast territory west of the Mississippi to and including the Rocky Mountains from the Canadian line to the Mexican frontier, containing the great majority of the nomadic and hostile Indians of the country, complicated also by troubles always incident to a foreign border North and South. This territory Is divided into four departments, commanded by Gens. Terry, Crook, Pope and Ord. The reports of all these officers arc so full and complete that I can add nothing but compliments to them and their subordinates for courage, skill and cheerful performance of hard duty, which merit substantial recognition at tbe hands of the Government. “ Gen. McDowell’s division embraces 4he States and Territories bordering on the Pacific Ocean. His report, with those of the Departments of Columbia and Arizona, contains all material facts. The Indians of that region have been gradually assembled, by tribes and families, on small reservations wide apart, and by reason of the natural antagonism of the races the troops have been subdivided into small detachments, occupying points near or on those reservations. The settlement of the Pacific States and Territories has been very rapid, and, in consequence, frequent wars, for example, the Rogue River War, in 1854-5; Steptoe’s War, in 1857; Wright’s, in 1858; the Modoc War, in 1871, and the Nez Perces in 1877, beside the interminable conflicts with Apaches and other tribes of Arizona, which we inherited from Mexico and which wo still at this very moment continue.” The report embraces considerable space with reference to the recent war with the Nez Perces, its origin, progress, etc., the details of which, from time to time during Its continuance, bavebeen substantially related la various reports. Gen. Howard’s movements are detailed at considerable length, and Gen. Sherman says: “ I recognize the full measure of the labors, exposure, fatigue and fighting of Gen. Howard and his command, having personally seen much of the route over which he passed, and knowing the great difficulty of procuring food for men and horses in that mountain region. It is simplv Impossible for infantry, or even cavalry, with their single horses, to overtake Indians who drive along a herd, change from a tired horse to one comparatively fresh at pleasure, and knowing the country as these Indians do; ready to hide in the many rocky canyons, ravines and dense woods in which that country abounds, and able, with a small rear guard, to bold at bay any number In pursuit, who, often for miles, must follow trails in single file. Happening to be in Montana at the time, and not wishing to complicate matters by exercising any command except to assist where possible, I gave up my cavalry escort, which I had brought up from Tongue River, and was pleased to learn that it was of material assistance to Gen. Howard, at Camas, on the 20th of August.” Following the details of this War, the General, reaching the surrender of Joseph, says of the fight Immediately preceding it: “The result was complete, viz., the capture of Joseph and the surviving remnant of his brave but dangerous body of Indians. The Indians in this fight lost in killed six of their leading Chiefs anfl twenty-five warriors, with forty-six wounded. Col. Miles reports his loss at two officers and twenty men killed, and four officers and forty-one wounded; the names of all of whom have already been published. Gen. Howard, with a small escort, arrived on the field a short time before the surrender, but did not exercise any command. “Of course Col. Miles and his officers and men are entitled to all honor and praise for their prompt, skillful and successful work; while the others, by their long, toilsome pursuit, are entitled to corresponding credit because they made that success possible. All the troops thus engaged are now en route back to their several posts and stations by various routes. Thus has terminated one of the most extraordinary Indian wars of which there Is any record. The Indians throughout displayed a courage and skill that elicited universal praise. They abstained from scalping, let captive women go free, did not commit indiscriminate murder of peaceful families, which is usual, and fought with almost scientific skill, using advance and rear guards, skirmish and field fortifications. Nevertheless they would not settle down on lands set apart for them, ample for their maintenance, and when commanded by the proper authority they began resistance by murdering persons in no manner connected with their alleged grievances. “With your approval these prisoners are now en route, by the most economical way, to Fort Leavenworth, to be there held as prisoners of war until the spring, when I trust the Indian Bureau will provide them homes in tha Indian Reservation near the Modocs, where, by moderate labor, they can soon be able to support themselves in peace. They should never again be allowed to return to Oregon or to Lapwai."