REPORT OF DEPARTMENT COMMANDER'S INSPECTION OF POSTS.

A copy of my report on the inspection of the southern posts I have visited is attached to this report, marked A.

COAST DEFENSES.

I desire to call special attention to the fact that the defenses of the approaches to the cities of Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, Washington, and Philadelphia are without garrisons, those of the city of New Orleans being in nearly the same condition, and that Sandy Hook, in New York Harbor, though provided with works and guns, is still without a garrison or barracks and quarters to accommodate one.

STAFF DEPARTMENTS.

The work of the officers of the staff departments at the headquarters of this department has been entirely satisfactory during the past yearefficient and economical. By reason of lack of appropriation a portion of this command was not paid for the month of June last; this deficiency should be met at an early date. The work of these departments will be found in detail in the several reports.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

NELSON A. MILES, Major-General, Commanding.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

Washington, D. C.

REPORT OF MAJ. GEN. WESLEY MERRITT.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,

Chicago, Ill., August 30, 1895.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of affairs in this department covering the period since the date of the last annual report of my predecessor:

I assumed command of this department on May 18 last; hence my personal participation in the transactions covered by the record of events is limited and my report will necessarily be brief.

The Apache prisoners of war were transferred from Mount Vernon Barracks, Ala., to Fort Sill, in this department, where they arrived October 4, 1894. The children of the prisoners who have been sent to the Indian school at Anadarko, Okla., have rejoined their parents during the month of June.

Capt. H. L. Scott, Seventh Cavalry, was placed in charge of these Indians, and has labored industriously and enthusiastically to improve their condition and settle them happily in their new homes. Since their arrival at Fort Sill the Indians have been engaged in sawing pickets, hauling logs, sinking wells, building bridges and houses. They work very industriously and cheerfully.

From the appropriation of 1894, made for the transfer, maintenance, and support of these Indians, farming implements, etc., have been purchased, and a contract has been let for supplying a number of cattle to them. On June 30 they numbered 18 men, 117 women, 68 boys, and 47 girls, making a total of 250 prisoners.

The transfer of the military prison at Fort Leavenworth to the Department of Justice has been accomplished according to law. This transfer will, in my opinion, render necessary at the designated prison posts in this department-Forts Sheridan and Riley-increased guardhouse room. Already Fort Riley reports its inability to take charge of more prisoners than the number now there-about 20-and Fort Sheridan has been filled to about its capacity for the proper care of military convicts. I presume this state of affairs was anticipated when the change was determined on and that appropriations will be available for building proper prison accommodations for the men-deserterswhose certain punishment is one of the important safeguards of the Army.

Although I have not yet personally inspected the troops of the department, I feel justified in saying that generally throughout the command the discipline and instruction is such as the Government, in view of the care taken for the comfort and education of men and officers, is justified in expecting.

The detachment of cavalry and artillery under Captain Capron which took part in the annual encampment of the National Guard of Wisconsin has just returned to its station, Fort Sheridan.

It is gratifying to record the fact that the presence of these troops, in conjunction with that of the Third Infantry from Fort Snelling, is considered an important advantage to the National Guard. I can not, in justice to these troops, omit the publication in this report of the following most satisfactory communication from Governor Upham, of Wisconsin:

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Madison, Wis., August 21, 1895.

SIR: The annual encampment of Wisconsin troops just brought to a close has proved the most profitable and successful in point of instruction and discipline of all yet held within the limits of the State. In large measure its success was due to the presence, the example, and cordial cooperation of the detachments of the Regular Army, and I beg to express to you, and through you to the officers and men of Light Battery E, First Artillery, and Troops B and K, Seventh Cavalry, my high appreciation of their conduct and services. In camp the relations between them and their comrades of the guard were of the most cordial and kindly nature. On the drill ground and in the maneuvers they were conspicuous not only for their high instruction and efficiency, but for their readiness to aid and teach; while on their long march through six counties of the State they won the hearty good will and admiration of our people by their soldierly appearance, bearing, and discipline. A warm welcome awaits them whenever they may come again.

Very respectfully

Gen. WESLEY MERRITT, U. S. A.,

Commanding Department of the Missouri.

W. H. UPHAM, Governor.

It is pleasant to know that the discipline and instruction, as well as the high character of our officers and men as the Army is now organized, is appreciated by the National Guard and the civil authorities of the State.

Herewith are the reports of the heads of the different staff departments and offices, a statement of accomplished lyceum work, and a chronological record of events showing the movements and changes of troops in the department.

Very respectfully,

W. MERRITT, Major-General, Commanding.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

Washington, D. C.

REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. JOHN R. BROOKE.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA,
St. Paul, Minn., August 23, 1895.

SIR: In obedience to the orders of the Lieutenant-General I have the honor to submit my annual report at this time.

Nothing of unusual military interest has transpired in this department since the railroad strikes and troubles of last year. The Indians have remained quiet on their reservations, and from all I can learn they are progressing in industry wherever they see any benefit arising from their labor.

The following changes of troops in the department have occurred: Since the last annual report the Twentieth Infantry was ordered to take station at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., so the headquarters, band, and Companies A, B, D, E, F, G, and H of that regiment left Fort Assinniboine, Mont., October 10, 1894, and proceeded by rail to their new station. Company C, stationed at Fort Buford, N. Dak., joined the regiment en route the morning of October 11, 1894.

The following organizations were added to the garrison of Fort Assinniboine, Mont.: Troop I, Tenth Cavalry, arrived October 8, 1894, from Fort Myer, Va. Headquarters and band, Tenth Cavalry, left Fort Custer, Mont., November 18, 1894, and arrived at Fort Assinniboine the following day. Companies B and D, Twenty-second Infantry, arrived from Fort Keogh, Mont., on the 19th of January, and Company E, Twenty-second Infantry, arrived August 17, 1895, from Fort Pembina, N. Dak.

Forts Sully, S. Dak., and Pembina, N. Dak., and the ordnance depot at Fort Snelling, Minn., have been discontinued, and Fort Meade transferred to the Department of the Platte (Sully October 31, 1894; ordnance depot November 1, 1894; Pembina August 15, 1895; Meade July 27, 1895). Major Gageby and Companies B, C, and D, Twelfth Infantry, left Sully for Fort Niobrara, Nebr., October 20, 1894, leaving Lieutenant Markland and 22 enlisted men of the Twelfth Infantry to wind up the affairs of the post. Having accomplished this, the officer and detachment left November 20, 1894, for Fort Niobrara. The buildings, grounds, etc., pertaining to the Fort Snelling ordnance depot were, on November 6, 1894, turned over to the quartermaster's department, and on December 10 they were transferred to the post authorities of Fort Snelling as part of that post. August 15, 1895, Company E, Twentysecond Infantry, Captain Hooton commanding, left Fort Pembina, N. Dak., for Fort Assinniboine, Mont., its new station, arriving there August 17. Lieutenant Ely and 10 enlisted men remained at the post until the final disposition of property, etc.

The following troops and companies composed of Indians were disbanded on the dates set opposite each organization:

Company I, Third Infantry, stationed at Fort Snelling, Minn., October 27, 1894.

Company I, Twentieth Infantry, stationed at Fort Assinniboine, Mont., October 31, 1894.

Troop L, Third Cavalry, stationed at Fort Meade, S. Dak., March 13, 1895.

Troop L, First Cavalry, stationed at Fort Custer, Mont., March 23, 1895.

Troop L, Eighth Cavalry, Casey's scouts, stationed at Fort Keogh, Mont., June 11, 1895.

The barracks of Companies A and B, Twenty-second Infantry, at Fort Keogh, Mont., and the buildings numbered 9 to 19, inclusive, at Fort Pembina, N. Dak., were completely destroyed by fire on December 30, 1894, and May 27, 1895, respectively.

Captain Hale, Lieutenant McCoy, and 20 enlisted men, Company G, Third Infantry, left Fort Snelling, Minn., September 2, 1894, for Hinckley, Minn., to assist the State authorities in rendering aid to the people in that vicinity who had been made destitute and homeless by forest fires. The party returned to post September 4, 1894.

Companies A and D, Twenty-fifth Infantry, accompanied by a detachment of the hospital corps, Captain Sweet commanding, returned to Fort Custer, Mont., on September 3, 1894, from camp at Livingston, Mont., where they had been protecting railroad property since July of the same year. A practice march of 35 miles en route from Custer Station, Mont., was made. Distance traveled, 169 miles.

Troop D, Sixth Cavalry, under command of Captain Scott, left Fort Yellowstone, Wyo., on May 31, 1895, en route to Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, to go into camp there during the summertourist season, marching a distance of 38 miles.

The band and Troops D, E, F, and K, Eighth Cavalry (9 officers and 218 enlisted men), under command of Major Wells, Eighth Cavalry, left Fort Meade, S. Dak., on June 11, 1895, to attend the reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic at Spearfish, S. Dak., and returned to post June 17, 1895, having marched a total distance of 56 miles.

Headquarters, band, and Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, Third Infantry, with 1 medical officer and 5 enlisted men of the hospital corps (20 officers and 365 enlisted men), Colonel Page commanding, left Fort Snelling, Minn., June 20, 1895, en route to Lake City, Minn., marching a distance of 68 miles and arriving there June 25, 1895, for encampment with the National Guard of the State of Minnesota. The command remained in camp until July 20, when it proceeded by rail to Camp Douglas, Wis., and participated in the encampment of the National Guard of the State of Wisconsin, which lasted till August 17, 1895, when the regiment returned by rail to its proper station, Fort Snelling, arriving there the same day.

Camp Merritt, Mont., a subpost of Fort Keogh, Mont., was garri soned during the past year by the following troops: Company A, Twenty-second Infantry, Captain Webster commanding, with Lieutenant Godfrey and 49 enlisted men, left Fort Keogh, Mont., on August 27, 1894, arrived at the camp September 1 and relieved Company G, of the same regiment, which, under command of Captain Ballauce, returned to its station, Fort Keogh. Distance marched by each company, about 90 miles. Company A, Twenty-second Infantry, was on November 1, 1894, relieved by Company D, Twenty-fifth Infantry. The latter company, consisting of 3 officers and 50 enlisted men, under command of Captain Sweet, left Fort Custer, Mont., on October 28, 1894, marching 60 miles. The former company returned to Fort Keogh November 4, 1894. Company C, Twenty-second Infantry, Captain Kell commanding, left Fort Keogh April 23, 1895, arrived at the camp on April 28, 1895, and relieved Company D, Twenty-fifth Infantry, which returned to its proper station, Fort Custer, May 2, 1895.

Practice marches were made by the troops in this department since the last annual report as follows:

From Fort Buford, N. Dak.-Companies C and E, Twenty-fifth Infantry, under command of Captain Robe, left post October 18 and returned October 24, 1894. Total distance marched, 66 miles.

From Fort Custer, Mont.-Troops E, Tenth Cavalry, and L, First Cavalry (Indians), Lieutenant Smith, Tenth Cavalry, commanding, left post October 15, 1894, marched to base of Big Horn Mountains, and returned October 24, covering a total distance of 132 miles.

From Fort Keogh, Mont.-The headquarters, band, and Companies B, C. D, F, and H, Twenty-second Infantry, Troop L, Eighth Cavalry, Casey's Scouts, and Troop A, Tenth Cavalry, with 1 medical officer and a detachment of the hospital corps, under command of Colonel Swaine, Twenty-second Infantry, left post October 1, 1894, marched to a point on southern boundary of reservation, and established a camp of instruction, returning to post October 6. Total distance marched, 35 miles.

From Fort Missoula, Mont.-Companies B and G, Twenty-fifth Infantry, with 4 officers and 95 enlisted men, under command of Captain Wilson, left post October 2 and returned October 11, 1894, having made a march of 52 miles. Companies F and H, Twenty-fifth Infantry, with 5 officers and 95 enlisted men, Captain Hodges commanding, left post October 12 and returned October 21, 1894, marching a distance of 34 miles.

From Fort Yates, N. Dak.-The infantry battalion, composed of companies A, F, and II, Twelfth Infantry, with 1 medical officer and a detachment of the hospital corps, under command of LieutenantColonel Comba, Twelfth Infantry, left post September 11, 1894, on a practice march along the Cannon Ball River. The command was out twenty-six days and covered a distance of 228 miles, returning along the Grand River to post October 6.

I assumed command of this department on the 18th of May last. On the 15th of July I left my headquarters for the purpose of making an inspection of the posts and garrisons, and the following is a summary of my observations:

FORT BUFORD, N. DAK.

I found the garrison of this post in excellent condition as to drill and discipline. The buildings are in such a dilapidated condition that it would require a large sum to put them in repair. This, added to the fact that the post is no longer valuable as a military station, induced me to recommend its abandonment and the transfer of the garrison to other posts. I have not yet heard from this recommendation. Early action is desirable, as the small allotment for repairs at this post has not been expended up to this time, and should the post be continued it would be necessary to utilize this sum without delay.

FORT ASSINNIBOINE, MONT.

The inspection of this post showed the garrison to be well disciplined and well instructed. There is great need of quite a large expenditure at this post for the following purposes: The enlargement of the barracks, which are now densely crowded, having been originally built for smaller companies, and being at that time too small for the proper accommodation of the authorized strength of the companies. Each of these barracks should have added to it a two-story L, sufficiently large to accom