REP POR T


OF THE
SECRETARY OF WAR.
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honor to submit to YOU the annual report OF the
affairs OF the War Department. embracing such
suggestions and observations as my connection with
its administration seem to authorize in present.
ing tor your consideration.


The functions of the War Department, compre.
hendng not only the direction and the control of
the military establishment, but also that of PEN
sons and bountes for military servce--of improve
ments Of rivers and harbors-o the mineral lands
and of all Indian affairs,-render the distribution
of these duties among the several bureaux, besides
matter 0f great convenience, one 0t the almost
absolute necessity. And the wisdom Of that ad.
ministraton which thas separated and distributed
day mauifestng itself by the efficiency, economy,
and promptness with which the heads of the bu.
reaux discharge their respective offices.


refer you TO the accompanying documents.
(nunb-red from to II, being the reports OF the
commanding general Of the army, and Of the Off
at the head OF the bureaux, for all details
latpg to the civil and military service of the depart.
ment.


The military establishment ofihe United States
has been organized for times of peace, with an eye
to the closest economy in the pnblic expenditure,
without usacrifcipg the efficiency Of the troops, but
chiefly with the object of keeping up to that military
knowledge and discipline, without which nation
is never prepared to assert her own dignity nor
even to defend her soil from invasion, except al
great ant unnecessary loss. Organization and dis
cipline have always been the means of military
power La modern times, wealth, population, and
skill IN the mechanic arts, necessary to enable
nation to sustain serlous and pr0tracted contest





are deficient in none Of these elements. If our
power is properly developed and directed we shall
be found fully able to cope with any nation. We
have every material OF war; except sulphur, in great
terprise and wel-estabshed mechanical skill
among our own citizens TO construct its most
formidable implements A war, therefore, should
our honor or safety demand II, would be a self
sustaining measure with US, bringing out the many
natural resources Of the country keeping all the in
terna channels oil trade in full activity, and Great
Ing a constant demand for every product OF 0ur
domestic manufactures.


The Irregular force, consisting of eight regiments
OF infantry, four of artillery, and two OF dragoone,
is under the command of the major general of the
army Its disposition, condition, and movements,
will be found in his report. II information more
in detail should be required, it will be furnished
by reference to the registers and reports OF the
adntant general


ment, (our recent acquisition on the northeastern
frontier,) occupied, to give the countenance
and fostering protection of Our government TO its
Of whom have not yet .e.e
ing directly from Bangor to that fort agreeaby to
a recent survey, which greatly dminshes the dis
tance, Is imporiant and necessary as military
work, aud should be constructed with view also
to great economy in public transportation. The
expediency of the work, and the necessity Of
further attention by this department to our north
eastern frontier. are not likely to be superseded by
the final adjustment and demarcation Of the treaty
line, when we reflect that contiguous foreign
nation must unavoidably, for portion of the wear,
make the circuit OF that boundary in conducting
the military intercourse between the different pro-
vinces


have had military post established at Copper
Harbor, on the extremity Of the peninsula which
ju,s out tar into Lake Superior from the middle of
e ndaas and m6ers, and preseryds cfGsf Ia
new settlement oi such mixed population, 1t
eral extension of our settlements and the enlarge.
men Of our territories by Indian treaties are about
rendering necessary to be established in accord
ance with the policy which has heretofore been
intermediate posts, between 81. Peters, the head
ot navigation on the Mississippi river, and Copper
Harhor, this new cordsl will be complete. The
Fur Cempa"y's post, q. La P9,nte, near. Fond Id ds
ter communication between Lake Superior, near
Fond du Lac and st. Peters, the other.


With view to the policy 70. which | now ad-
tabiished upon our lake frontier. it is proper
should recommend the approximation Of funds to
renew the buildings at Fort Gratiot, commanding
the straits between Lake Huron and Lake st
upon the outlet Of Lake Superior, originally con-
structed in haste, and Of slight and pershabe ma
terials. The usual liberal allowance for con-
where be more judiciously granted than for the
country south OF Lake Superior. When such COM
munications shall be well opened, and a canal at
the Falls of ST. Mary-a work much urged upon





ed this frontier would be capable Of receiving sup
plies, and wond be well secured in military point
OF view, besides the enhancement which would
thereby be given to the value OF the public lands,
and the encouragement for their occupation by
a mining and other population, possessing the
skill and the capital to explore, develope. and
bring Into market the mineral treasures OF the
couGiEy.


The remounting Of the second regiment of dra-
goons will enlarge the very best force for military
service In the prairies-an Indispensable duty now
devolving on the government. As long as foreign
territory makes SO marked an encroachment into
the natural boundary of our southwestern frontier
Fort Jesup, or a post in the rear Of 1t upon the
Sabine, must remain one OF the most important
military positions on any OF our frontiers. In ad-
dtion to the propriety OF having a large force
stationed there, 1t was increased by the necessary
detention OF the rifle regiment preparatory to III
being reconverted into the second regiment oi
drasoons, whose proper staten is In the Indian
country.


Without destroying the military department, Al
established by general order OF the 18th day o
July, 1872, and at the same time preserving the
command and the control Of the major general
commanding in chief, over the forces OF the line,
have reinstated the two geographical divisions o
the army. In making this reinstatement have
reserved, as convenient for military purposes, from
the command Of the generals Of geographical dvi.
sions, the fourth department., commanded by Bre.
vet Brigader General Brady, and the ninth, al
present commanded In Florida, by Brevet Brisa.
der General Worth.


The termination of the Florida war and the
tranquility which prevails there under the vgilani
eye of the officer In command, have led to the
withdrawal of most Of the troops from that terri
tory. They have generally returned to their for.
merposts and garrisons. feel assured that the
instructions which were issued in conformity to
your suggestions, from this department on the 18Th
day of October last, to the general commanding II
Florida, will, without injurious delay, hasten the
gradual and humane removal of the few Semlnolei
remaining In that country, 30 as to secure its peo
pie from every apprehension OF change in that paci
fc disposition by which these Indians appear to
have been governedssince the termination Of tn,
war


Efficiency and military spirit are much imrroves
by keeping troops in mass. Central depots OF
healthy sites, whether forts or not, 30 that they
are readily accessible from all points where the
a. o he o
of the sc acoast Notifications, the plan Of defence
has excluded, as barracks and quarters for the
uarrison sanarafe and exnnaed huildlnRa huj