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January 15, 1846
Military. — The annual report of General
Scott, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, recommends the augmentation of the
army in proportion to the new extension given to our frontiers to the
North-West, West and South-West.
The expedition of Col. Kearney along the
route of the Oregon emigration is favorably spoken of, as well as the
recommendation of that officer of biennial and triennial cavalry
expeditions into the territory, instead of the establishment of advanced
military posts on the Oregon and Santa Fe routes.
Reference is also made to an expedition
which, under Capt. Sumner, moved up the left bank of the river St. Peters
to the Lae Qui Parle, north of the 45th parallel. This
expedition made a good impression upon the Indian tribes visited.
The conduct of Gen. Taylor, in command of
the “Army of Occupation” stationed at Corpus Christi, is also approved.
The army is now composed, exclusive of
commissioned officers, of 7,883 men. With the larger increase mentioned
above – 2,600 privates – the non-commissioned officers and enlisted men
would number in all 10,483.
Gen. S. also recommends for serve at the
Military Academy, and elsewhere, the creation of a company of one hundred
enlisted men like that formerly styled “a company of bombardiers, sappers
and miners.” No new commissioned officers would be needed with the
company.
Attention is invited to the subject of an
Asylum for the worn-out rank and file of the army, to be supported from
the army itself, by deductions, fines and reversions. If there is any one
who deserves to have his path-way to the tomb made smooth and pleasant, it
is the old soldier who was ever ready to sacrifice his life in defense of
his country.
Source: The Daily Picayune, January
15, 1846, p. 2, col. 5.
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