damages the Mullan road, which, without important changes in location at several points, and a heavy expenditure for labor, can hardly be maintained as a passable highway between the Territories it connects. In closing this report I feel justified in stating that the changed condition in the attitude of those Indian tribes in this department that were once hostile, but are now quiet and peaceably disposed, the rapid settlement, during the past five years, of that portion of the department drained by the Upper Columbia and its tributaries, and the gratifying progress of the Northern Pacific Railroad and other important railroad lines, indicate that the proper time has arrived for making proportionate changes in the location of our scattered little posts, and in the interest of economy and discipline I recommend that the less important military stations in this department be abandoned, and that the troops be concentrated at fewer points near rail and water transportation, where they can be more cheaply supplied, more readily instructed, and more speedily moved to threatened points when necessary. I believe this can be safely done with infinite advantage to the military service, and an insured reduction of yearly cost to the Treasury. With few other exceptions, not considered worthy of mention, the command has been fully occupied with the ordinary routine duties incident to its frontier station. I turn it over to my successor, proud of its instruction, discipline, and morale, certain it will be found fully equal to any emergency it may be called upon to meet in the future. It remains to thank my staff officers, departmental and personal, for able, zealous, and faithful service in their respective branches of the service. It gives me genuine pleasure to speak of all in terms of the highest praise. The personal and department staff as at present constituted are as follows: Personal staff-Second Lieut. J. T. R. Landis, First Cavalry, aid-decamp and acting chief signal officer; Second Lieut. John S. Mallory, Second Infantry, aid-de-camp and acting judge-advocate. Department staff.-Maj. O. D. Greene, assistant adjutant-general; Maj. George B. Dandy, chief quartermaster; Capt. Samuel T. Cushing, chief commissary of subsistence; Maj. John Moore, medical director; Maj. James P. Canby, Pay Department, chief paymaster; First Lieut. Thomas W. Symons, Engineer Corps, chief engineer officer; Capt. John A. Kress, Ordnance Department, chief ordnance officer, in charge of office of the acting assistant inspector-general. The changes in the department staff have been Lieut. Col. C. G. Sawtelle, Quartermaster Department, chief quartermaster, relieved April 12, Special Orders 67, A. G. O.; Maj. Joseph H. Eaton, Pay Department, chief paymaster, retired; Maj. Edwin C. Mason, Twenty-first Infantry, acting assistant inspector-general, relieved June 25, G. O. 15, Department Columbia. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK WHEATON, The ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C. 5 A, 2.—ANNUAL REPORT OF GENERAL MILES. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUMBIA, Vancouver Barracks, W. T., September 29, 1881. SIR: In accordance with your communication of the 7th instant, I have the honor to submit the following report: The important events and movements of troops in this department during the year preceding the time of my assuming command have been mentioned in reports of my predecessors already forwarded. On the 2d of August, ultimo, in accordance with the orders of the President, I assumed command of the geographical Department of the Columbia. Since that time but few changes have been made. Two companies, E and F, Second Infantry, have been ordered from Camp Spokane, W. T., to Fort Coeur d'Alene, I. T.; Company H, Twenty-first Infantry, from Fort Stevens, Oregon, to Vancouver Barracks, W. T.; Company M, First Cavalry, from Fort Walla Walla, W. T., to Department of Arizona. The present stations of troops are as follows: FIRST CAVALRY. Regimental headquarters, Troops A, B, E, and K, at Fort Walla Walla, W. T. Troop D at Fort Lapwai, I. T. Troop F at Boisé Barracks, I. T. Troop L at Fort Klamath, Oregon. FOURTH ARTILLERY. Batteries F and K at Fort Canby, W. T., with detachment guarding Fort Stevens, Oregon. SECOND INFANTRY. Regimental headquarters, Companies A, B, G, and I, at Fort Cœur d'Alene, I. T. Companies D, E, F, and K at Camp Spokane, W. T. TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY. Regimental headquarters, Companies E, F, G, H, and K, at Vancouver Barracks, W. T. Company A at Boisé Barracks, I. T. Company I at Fort Lapwai, I. T. Companies B and D at Fort Townsend, W. T. As far as practicable, I have inspected the posts in this department, and from personal observation am enabled to report the troops well instructed, well disciplined, and in fair condition. I find, however, that this military force has been inadequately supplied, as seen in the condition of barracks, quarters, and transportation. The troops at several of the posts are not suitably or comfortably sheltered. This condition of affairs seriously affects both the health and efficiency of the command. I will forward complete estimates of what is required, and trust that a due proportion of the necessary funds and material appropriated may be furnished this department. In addition to the usual military duties, the troops have been engaged, and are now employed, in constructing military roads from Fort Colville to Spokane Falls, W. T.; from Fort Colville to Camp Spokane, W. T., and from Fort Cœur d'Alene, I. T., east toward Fort Missoula, M. T. These routes (some 230 miles in extent), when completed, will not only greatly facilitate the movement of troops and supplies, but will be of great value to the public. The troops are also engaged in establishing military telegraph lines from Spokane Falls, on the Northern Pacific Railroad, to Camp Spokane, W. T.; from Ashland to Fort Klamath, Oregon, and from Port Townsend to Cape Flattery, W. T., adding some 240 miles to the lines of communication. When completed all the military posts in this department, with one exception, will be within telegraphic communication. At the same time the lines are being used for private and commercial purposes, thereby benefiting the citizens of the country. The troops, at available points, occupy a wide extent of country, the greater portion of which is inhabited by defenseless settlers and numerous tribes of Indians. The different Indian tribes in this department are, in the main, in a peaceable condition; most of the semi-civilized are making some progress toward self-support; yet there are vast tracts of country still occupied by bands of nomadic Indians, and between the latter and the remote settlers conflicts of race may be expected. The evils arising from injudicious and illy-defired treaties made with these Indian tribes are becoming apparent, and the constant clashing of interests between the Indians and the miners, ranchmen, and farmers, is almost inevitable, and quite likely to result in open hostilities. The germs of future Indian disturbances are already noticeable in some localities. Measures are being taken which, when completed, will better facilitate communication with and concentration of the available force in this department, and at the same time increase the efficiency of the troops and lessen the cost of supplies, the chief aim being to make the limited force (of 1,570 soldiers) of the least expense to the general gov ernment, and at the same time give the greatest protection to a people occupying territory (not including Alaska) of 250,000 square miles in extent. When it is remembered that our troops have contended in the past, and doubtless in the future will have to meet, an enemy of superior numbers where the natural obstacles are dense forests, trackless mountains, and almost impassable rivers, the difficulties to be encountered will be easily understood and appreciated. In this connection I desire to invite especial attention to the weak and defective condition of the companies and regiments of this command, an evil which prevails through the entire service. It must be apparent to every one familiar with the subject, that our little Army is defective in organization, and, consequently, greatly overworked. This nation of 50,000,000 of people calls upon its Army for more than double the labor required of any other troops in the world, and the testimony of those who have had the best means of knowing, from the humble frontier settler to the late Chief Magistrate, James A. Garfield, and in the words of the latter, is that the Army has been crippled and reduced "below the limit of efficiency and safety," and the people "expect Congress and the Executive to make the Army worthy of a great nation." By the present system we have a sufficient number of officers and non-commissioned officers, but there is a great necessity for an increase in the number of soldiers in the different companies. The "skeleton theory" has been found unwise, most expensive, and least effective. Our Army is required to be efficient in every kind of military duty, including skilled marksmanship. It must guard our coast defenses and boundary lines, public arsenals, stores, and depots; it must protect the lives and property of citizens, scattered over vast Territories; and in cases of necessity those living in the populous States. At the same time the troops are required to perform almost every kind of laborious work, constructing military posts, building roads and telegraph lines, also performing mechanical, clerical, and difficult manual labor. This has a demoralizing influence upon the spirit of the troops, and causes desertion and other evils of the service. In cases of emergency the skeleton companies are suddenly gathered up from distant points at great expense, and thrown into engagements illy prepared for such serious business, and expected to perform the work of well-organized and strong commands. With our present facilities for the government and accommodation of troops, companies of 100 men can be easily maintained, and in every sense better fitted for the service required of them. There would probably be ten per cent. added to the yearly appropriation required for pay, food, and clothing of the men; but the efficiency of the Army would, in my judgment, be increased more than one hundred per cent. I am satisfied that, in my own department, the yearly expenditures now made necessary by the weak condition of the companies and regiments could be greatly lessened.. If the companies were made of proper strength, not only would there be a large saving of the extra military expenses, but there would be greater benefit and security given to the people whose lives and property depend to a greater or less degree upon the protection guaranteed by the physical force of the general government. I would therefore recommend that the authorized maximum number of enlisted men in the different companies be 100 per company where they are so stationed and employed that the public interest would be benefited thereby. I would also call attention to the fact of the number of officers who are permanently absent from their respective commands through no fault of theirs, men who have become infirm through long years of hard service, or crippled or permanently disabled in the various wars in which our army has been engaged; also to the number of officers who have grown gray in the service and yet are occupying the subordinate grades of captains, first and second lieutenants. These facts have a very discouraging influence upon a zealous and faithful body of public servants. In every branch of business or profession in life advancement or progress is absolutely essential, and the rule is no less applicable to the military service, and some system that will either promote retirements by commutation of retired pay, limiting the retired list to such number as would be suitable for our kind of service, or universal retirement at a given age, would undoubtedly improve the efficiency of the Army, and it is believed to be very generally desired by the officers of our service. I inclose the reports of the department staff officers, and invite attention to them for matters of detail in the different branches of the service. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, NELSON A. MILES, Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Commanding Department. The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Military Division of the Pacific, Presidio of San Francisco, Cal. 5 B.-REPORT OF BVT. MAJ.-GEN. 0. B. WILLCOX. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA, Tucson, Ariz., October 12, 1881. SIR: In accordance with your telegram of the 10th instant and letter of 12th ultimo, I respectfully transmit the following as supplementary to my annual report: On 6th of August last, Colonel Carr, commanding at Apache, telegraphed these headquarters that the chief and medicine man of a band of Indians living on Cibicu Creek, Nocky-del-klin-ne by name, had been for two months holding dances with the object of raising from the dead Indians who had been killed; that it was now reported to him (Carr) by interpreter that medicine man was telling the Indians that the dead say they would not return because of the presence of the white people; that when the white people left, the dead would return, and the whites would be out of the country when the corn was ripe. Colonel Carr says in that dispatch, "I do not know whether this is of any consequence. I feel it my duty to report it to the department commander." On August 11, Tiffany, agent San Carlos, says, "A number of White Mountain and San Carlos Indians congregated near Apache, and Tautos are also affected. Some medicine man of influence is moving on these Indians for, I think, evil purposes." On the same date, immediately on receipt of Tiffany's dispatch, I telegraphed Colonel Carr, commanding Fort Apache, to hold his command in readiness to take the field, as Hatch reports approach of hostiles from New Mexico, and I added, "The department commander hopes that by your good management you will secure the best feeling among the White Mountain Apaches." I telegraphed this information to division headquarters on the 12th of August, informing you also that Tiffany wanted additional arms, and on the 13th informed you of disposition of troops ordered by me to re-enforce Fort Apache and to guard against Indian movements from New Mexico and on reservation. Carr was telegraphed from Whipple Barracks, August 7, as follows: The commanding general directs that you arrest the chief and medicine man Nockydel-klin-ne, if you deem it necessary to prevent trouble, after consultation with the agent at San Carlos. BENJAMIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. On August 13, Carr was telegraphed a dispatch of which the following is the only part bearing on the question, viz: The two companies of cavalry at Thomas have been ordered to report without delay to you at Apache for temporary duty. The commanding general desires that you arrest the Indian doctor whom you report as stirring up hostilities, as soon as practi cable. BENJAMIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. |