Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1878 — THE WAR DEPARTMENT. [ARTICLE]

THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

Washington dispatches rive the following synopses of some of the reports to the Secretary of War, which are to be submitted to Congress at its session (in December next: HEPOKT OF THB COMMISSAHT-OBMBKAL. The annual reportof Commissary-Gea. Maefeely baa been submitted to the Secretary of War. It shows that the total amount disbursed for subsistence stores during the fiscal year ended June SO last, was *3,510,551, of which 11,011,747 was reimbursed by sales of stores to officers and enlisted men; *81,824 wss paid by the Interior Department for supplies furnished to Indians; *73,848 was collected for tobacco sold to enlisted men, and the balance was furnished to the Department by the Congressional appropriation. Gen. Macfccly urgently recommends that the appropriations by Congress should bo made sufficiently large to enable the Department to purchase all supplies tor cash, and should be rendered available from the date of the passage of the act, so as to admit of the purchase and shipment of supplies for distant posts eafly In the spring, and thus avoid loss In transporting meats, etc., in the hot months of June and July. Referring to the complaints made from time to time that stores were not purchased In the neighborhood of the posts where they were to be consumed, the Com-missary-General says investigation has shown that in most, if not all, cases where this course has been pursued, it has been done for the reason that stores of a proper quality could not be procured as economically in the vicinity of the posts as from other points. The number of contracts made by officers of the Commissary Department during the year was over 26,000. , ■ Thescost value of the rations issued to yel-low-fever sufferers since the 19th of August last (up to the 7th instant) is stated at *24,649. The Department has furnished supplies for Indians to the amount of about *43,000 in excess of its reimbursements from the Interior Department. Referring to the statements made by the Board of Indian Peace Commissioners, and reiterated in Congress, that the purchase of beef and flour by the Indian service at some points is at less than the cost of the same supplies purchased for the Army, Gen. Macfeely denies that the articles purchased were of the same grades. The Commissary General recommends that the present limitation of sixteen ounces per month as the maximum amount of tobacco that may be furnished to enlisted men, and charged against their pay-rolls, be enlarged to twenty-four ounces, as it appeart that a majority of them desire to purchase more than they are now allowed thus to obtain. The modifications in the Army ration authorize* last year, it is stated, have given general satisfaction.

REPORT OF THB BUIIGEON-OENERAD. The annual report of Surgeon-Gen. Barnes, United States Army, shows that there Were disbursed during the year, for medical and hospital supplies, *46,001.01; expenses of purveying depots, *5,657.23; pay of employes, *85,303.73; medical attendance, nursing, etc., *7,471.81; miscellaneous expenses, *6,111.16; total, *100,545.03; balance June 30, 1878, *99,988.67. The greater part of this balance has since been disbursed, and the remainder will be required in fulfilling contracts made before June 30. There were furnished during the year eighty-three artificial limbs to disabled soldiers, while 1,700 drew commutations for the same. The monthly reports of sick and wounded represent an average mean strength of the Army of 20,194 white and 1,895 colored troops. The total number of deaths reported from all causes was 253. Of these 121 died from diseases and 135 of wounds, accidents and injuries. The proportion of deaths from all causes to cases treated Was one to 107. The removal of garrisons from threatened points, although in some instances deferred later than prudence would dictate, has saved the Army from any serious losses during the prevalence of the dreadful epidemic of yellow feeer which has proved so fatal this year among the citizens of the Southern States. The only eases reported in the Army up to September 1 occurred in a small detachment left at Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, when the garrison was removed. There were five eases and two deaths in this detachment. The Surgeon-General next refers to the work in the Record and Pension Divisions of the office, and says: “ The number of official demands upon this Division during the fiscal year for information asto thecause of death in the case of deceased soldiers and the hospital record of invalids was 21,074, being rather more than the average number of such demands received annually since 1870. The number of unanswered cases on hand at the close of the Srevious fiscal year was 18,697, making the )tal number of cases to be searched during the year 39,771.” He then refers to the increase of the clerical force in this Division, authorized by Congress at the last session, and says the beneficial effect of this increase of force was speedily felt, and that they are now gaining upon the cases in arrear. The requirements of the Army as to medical officers during the past year have been as follows: Number of permanent posts, 160; number of temporary posts and sub-stations, 14; total, 174. The number of military expediaitions in the field during the year was thir-ty-seven. These expeditions required the services of fifty-six medical officers. There are now fifteen vacancies in the grade of Assistant Surgeon. He refers to the act of June 2, 1876, reducing the number of Assistant Surgeons to 125, and says any further reduction in the number of medical officers would be unwise, expensive and to the injury of the service. The present disposition and occupation of troops creates a necessity for additional medical aid, and it has been found expedient, economical and in every instance absolutely necessary, to employ physicians under contract to meet such demands. Such employ-

merit terminates when the emergency ceases. INSPECTOR-GENERAI/S REPORT. The report of the Inspector General of the Army specifically details the condition of the various military posts, and gives ths reports of the several commands as an appendix. It appears that the Paymasters have promptly and satisfactorily rendered their accounts; that the military posts are in excellent condition, the discipline good and the character of the officers without reproach. It is recommended that the enlisted men pay more attention than heretofore to target practice. Altogether, the report shows a gratifying condition of allairs in everything connected with the Inspector-General’s'Department THE NAVY. The reports of the Bureau Officers in the Navy Department show that there are now about twenty naval vessels on foreign stations, and eight or nine more in the course of preparation to be sent abroad. There are none in the Gulf—those that were there having been sent north, as usual during the summer months, on account of the health of the officers and crews, and because there was no special reason for them to remain there. The Navy has now - about fifty vessels of various classes in seaworthy condition, apart from eight or nine monitors, which are intended more particularly for home defense. The opinion is expressed that there should be at least one hundred seagoing vessels in order to meet ait requirements. The personnel of the Navy is represented to be in admirable condition. There are 7,500—1,100 in reserve. These are on leave for three months, liable to be called into service any time; beside, the apprentice system affords a gradual supply of educated seamen for the Navy, and hence there is no necessity for many new enlistments. The policy of the Navy Dspartsnent is not to repair vessels which would cost 40 per cent over their original value. The wear of vessels is estimated to average 10 per cent, per innum. The work in advance is principally ■nnfined to rifling smooth-bore guns, the Rodman and Dahlgren seemingly going out at use. Experiments with torpedoes snow their practicability, and efforts are made to per* feet this meapp of warfare. The fact is established and admitted by foreign military and naval officers that the gunpowder used in our Army and Navy is much superior to any of their own In propulsive force. , , RIVERS AKD HARBORS. r ■

The annual report of Gen.-Aj-A Hum* phreys, Chief of Engineers, is devoted mainly to the two subjects Of fortifications and rjyer and harbor Improvements. It is shown that during the fiscal year ending June 80, the sum of 82,794,583 was expended tor the improvement of rivers and harbors, and a balance of 81,088,878, remaining from the previous appropriations, ii&rallable tor use durpropriating a total of 88,201,700 in addition to the balance available from previous appropriations. Upon the approval of projects submitted bv the various subordinate engineer officers, steps wen taken for putting the works at once into execution, and they are now being conducted under the contract system, or by means of hired labor, and ihe purchase of material in open market, as appeared to be the most advantageous in any particular instance to the Government. Gen. Humphreys describes the work accomplished in the last fiscal year, outlines that which is in progress during the current - tost aaf him mmrui.yir jcbt, Biivi Tn biic course 01 iiiß report reco<n~ mends the following additional appropriations for Western rivers and ports: • Texas- Galveston Harbor, 8150,000; ship channel, Galveston Bay, 8200,000; Sabine Pass, WO,OOO,

Tennwee Memphis Harbor, *134,000. Mississippi—Vicksburg Harbor. *90,000; removing snags and wrecks from Mississippi, Missouri andl Arkansas Rivera, eta, *BB6,(XX). Kansas—lmprovement of Missouri Hirer at Fort Leavenworth, MB.000; at Atchison, ♦15,000; opposite Bt. Joseph, *<B,ooo. < Nebraska and lowa—lmprovement of Missouri River at Nebraska City and Export. lowa, *85,000; at Omaha and Council Bluffs, *130,000; at Sioux City, *33,880; Improvement of the Mississippi River between-*)*-Mouths of Illinois and Ohio Rivera, *500,000. This sum would complete all the works now in progress and allow setae new ones to be be--gun. , Improvement of the Missouri River above the month of the Yellowstone, *55,000. Improvement of the Mississippi River, below St. Patil, *30,000. Widening and deepening the channel, } of the Mississippi River from Dea Moines RapIds to the mouth of the Illinois, *IOO,OOO. Widening and deepening tbe'channel of the Mississippi River from 8L Paul to Des Moines, {improvement above the Falls of St. Anthony, *50,000. Construction of lock and darn on Mississippi River at Meeker’s Island, Mitin., *933,121. Improvement of Red River of the North, *112,000. Des Moines Rapids, *I*3,IMX Minnesota—Duluth Harbor. *60,000; entrance Bay of Superior, *IO,OOO. , Illinois—Chicago Harbor, *195,000; Calumet Harbor, *40,000; Galena River and Harbor, *30,000; Rock Island Rapids, *20,000; improvement Illinois River, *75,060. Indiana—Michigan Crty llartor, *50,000; Wabash River, *30,000. Michigan—Grand Haven, *29,148; Ontonagon, *50,000. (Gen. Humphreys specially commends this estimate by saving: “Title is an important work, being the ortiy available harbor of refuge on a long stretch of coast.") Marquette, *5,000; Eagle Harbor, 12,000; Menominee Harbor. *40,000; Charlevoix Harbor, *30,000; Frankfort Harbor, *3,205; Manistee Harbor, *30,000; Ludington Harbor, *11,000; Pentwater Harj-or, *29,200; White River, Muskfljon. JtsMu Black. Lake, *22,000; (meboygan, *12.000; Saugatuck, *10,000: South Haven, *25,000; Saginaw River. *25.000: St. Joseph, *19,256; Monroe, •7.500; Improvement of Detroit KlVer. *IOO- - Lake Huron Harbor of refuge, *230,000. (To complete the work and for the sake of economy, the appropriation of the full amount is specially recommended.) St. Mary’s Falls Canal, *395 000. (Also to complete the work, and specially recommended for the same reason as above.) =- Wirconsin—For the Improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, *750 000. (The total amount nccereuv to complete the work, is estimated at *2,725,664.) Kenosha H arbor, *20,000; Racine Harbor, *20,000; Milwaukee gm'bor, *15,000; Green Bay, *12,000; Sturgeon Bay Harbor of refuge, *1'0,000; Ahnapee Harbor. 625,000; Two Rivers Harbor, *4O 000; Manitowoc Harbor, *21,682. (This appropriation to complete the work is particularly recommended by Gen. Humphreys. He says this port is the one most frequently sought in stormy weather on tLe northwestern shore of Lake Michigan, and the work shonld be completed at as early a day as possible.) Sheboygan Harbor, *10000; Port Washington, *25 - 000. Ohio —Cleveland, *35,000. (The total amount required to complete this improvement is estimated at *1,660,000.) Monroe, *7,500; Toledo, *3 >,000; Port Clinton, *65,000; Sandusky, *1,000; Ashtabula, *IB,OOO. California—Oakland Harbor, *25,000; Wilmington Harbor, *40,000; San Diego Harbor (repairs). *1,000; Sacramento and Feather Rivers, *20,000. The other branch of Gen. Humphreys’ re port treats of our sea-coast and lake frontier defenses. The appropriations recommended TOr the repair of the various fortifications vary in amounts from *IO,OOO to *200,000. the largest sum being for Fort Schuyler, East River, New York, *150,000; Willett’s Point. *80,000; Fort Tompkins, *75,000; Fort Hamilton, *50,000; Fort Lafavctte, *200,000; Fort Mifflin, Delaware River, *75,000; for construction of a torpedo casemate at Fort Delaware, *75 000; Fort McHenrv, Maryland, *50,000; Fort Carroll, Maryland, *100,000; Fort Scatnmel, Portland, Me., *50,000. During the past fiscal year the amount has been limited to operations for the care and preservation of fortications, no appropriations being available to continue the batteries already begun.