[First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLORADO, Denver, Colo., June 14, 1901. Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army. This investigation has been made with great care and completeness, and the report and opinions of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee should be accorded the greatest weight and consideration. The points which are producing most friction and seem to call for immediate remedial action are: 1. Whether the sun dance, from which all barbarous practices have long ago been eliminated by these tribes, should now and for the first time be wholly and forcibly prohibited. According to my information, as it has been heretofore conducted by these tribes it has no evil tendency, being merely an innocent amusement. 2. The issue of fresh beef only twice a month instead of four times, as heretofore, is so manifest a disadvantage to the Indians, considering their total want of facilities for keeping it, as to require no argument. It would seem that no question of mere economy should have weight in a matter so vital as securing the utmost benefit from the meager ration supplied these wards. The matter of failure to supply or aid in the procurement of seed grain is one of importance, for it insures short planting, short production, and still shorter food supply. The same, in fact, may apply to the desire of the Indians to have the stock procured from lease of grazing land divided as it is obtained, and not retained in a common herd. These last-named complaints, and others I do not name, are not at this moment a menace to peace, and therefore may properly be left for consideration of the Indian affairs administration. I recommend that the first and second complaints enumerated above be laid before the proper officer of the Indian Department, with request for immediate consideration. Meantime the young officer now commanding Fort Washakie will be instructed to keep well informed regarding the tribes within his jurisdiction, and to report promptly anything which seems at any time to endanger the peace. In any event, I do not think the Indian agent should determine when or what action should be taken by the troops. H. C. MERRIAM, The foregoing reports have been introduced with some reluctance because they involve to some extent matters which pertain to the administration of another governmental department. However, in view of the fact that the Army is expected to keep the peace in the Indian country and to give protection to outlying settlements, nothing which tends to produce friction and endanger the peace on an Indian reservation can be ignored by military officers commanding in the vicinity. In fact, conditions which have prevailed in this department during recent years, through which its scattered and isolated posts have been almost depleted of garrisons, have emphasized the necessity for vigilance in anticipating and providing against danger. All other tribes located within this military department have continued to live in harmony and contentment on their reservations, and are making some progress toward civilization. This applies especially to the Apaches and Navajos. THEORETICAL INSTRUCTION. Schemes for theoretical instruction were prepared, as required by Army Regulations, 230 (1895). The work accomplished is shown by Appendices C and D. Continued interest in this important feature of military education is shown by the new subjects suggested for discus sion by the new conditions found in foreign service, including transportation and supply, as well as equipment. PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. A progressive course of practical instruction was prepared and ordered, as required by Army Regulations, 230, covering small-arms practice, signal instruction, litter bearers and first aid drill, close and extended order drill, calisthenic and gymnastic training, and also provided for instruction in minor tactics, including field problems suited to the organizations and their local conditions, and military sketching. A prominent feature of this system of practical instruction is the requirement that one day in each week shall be devoted to a short march in full field equipment by entire organizations, and involving the solution of some minor field problem. For this work platoons have been treated as tactical units at posts garrisoned by but one troop or company, and so organized as to be able to take the field for active service at once, if called, without depletion of their ranks to supply post administration. In this way the organizations or platoons comprising a garrison are alternately turned out each week in their full strength, and kept familar with the practical use of the field kit, and with minor field problems, including field sketching by officers and noncommissioned officers. Movements and changes of troops are tabulated in Appendix A, from which it will appear that many changes have been made. Those within the department have generally been required in order to facilitate the withdrawal of troops ordered on foreign service. Twenty troops of cavalry and two companies of infantry have been so withdrawn from this department for service in the Philippines, involving the usual preparation by weeding out men, horses, and material unsuited to that service. Remarks and recommendations of the department inspector-general in Appendix F are worthy of careful consideration. The defects in the water systems of Forts Grant, Wingate, Duchesne, and Mackenzie have all received, and are receiving, due consideration by the various officers of the quartermaster's department. Most of these defects have resulted from the fact that, when originally introduced, the question of fire service was not considered, and to correct in that respect now involves considerable expense and requires careful consideration. That the new post of Fort Mackenzie should be actually in process of construction, with the best of modern barracks and quarters, before a reliable water system has been established or a sewer system begun appears to be a movement by inversion. Conduct of officers has continued to be exemplary and has called for no disciplinary measures, and my thanks are due to each of my personal and department staff for uniform zeal and efficiency in the discharge of all their duties. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. C. MERRIAM, Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Commanding Department. REPORT OF MAJ. GEN. SAMUEL B. M. YOUNG, U. S. A., COMMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Department of California for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901. I assumed command of the department at the close of the fiscal year, relieving Major-General Shafter on the 30th day of June, 1901, and I can not therefore speak from personal knowledge regarding departmental affairs for that year, and at this date I have rot as yet become sufficiently acquainted with the personnel of my command more than to state that so far as I am able to judge the officers and men are efficient in the performance of their duties and are drilled and instructed in a satisfactory manner. I respectfully refer to the reports of the officers in charge of the various staff departments, hereto appended, for detailed information in regard to the work of the department. It will be observed that the great activity in the shipment of officers, men, and material to and from the Philippines, referred to in the report of the commanding general, Department of California, for the year 1900, continued throughout the fiscal year just closed. The commendations of General Shafter in regard to the painstaking care and ability shown in the performance of this important duty during 1900 is believed to apply with equal force to the operations of the year 1901. The needs of the department in regard to the disposition of the new troops recently formed, the construction of additional quarters, the increase of accommodations at the general hospital, Presidio of San Francisco (which seems to me to be a very urgent matter), and the proper care of the modern armament are all receiving my careful consideration and attention, and will form the subject of an extended report at the close of the present fiscal year. Very respectfully, S. B. M. YOUNG, Major-General, U. S. A., Commanding. REPORT OF MAJ. GEN. SAMUEL B. M. YOUNG, U. S. A., COMMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUMBIA. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUMBIA, The ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C. SIR: In submitting the annual report of the operations of this department for the year ending June 30, 1901, I have the honor to state that having assumed command of the same on the 30th day of June of the present year I am not personally acquainted with the details of affairs occurring therein during that period. The annual reports of the officers of the department staff, showing the transactions of their respective departments for the year, are herewith submitted. During that period it appears that the strength of the command had increased by 13 officers and 630 enlisted men. No military movements of importance have taken place or disturbances requiring their presence as conservators of the peace, the troops having been employed solely in the usual garrison duty. Their discipline, health, and efficiency have been improved; the percentage of trials and desertions has decreased; troops and stores have been moved promptly when required; supplies of food and clothing have been adequate and satisfactory in all respects. Large numbers of horses and mules and quantities of forage, required to meet the demands of the troops in the Philippine Islands, have been purchased within the limits of this department and shipped to their destination by the Quartermaster's Department in a highly satisfactory manner, and this department has also supplied the posts of Forts Liscum, Valdez, and Camp Skagway, Alaska, with such stores and funds as were required for the needs of those garrisons, and in connection with the Subsistence Department has arranged a much simplified and improved method of supply for the remaining posts in Alaska. The water supply of posts is reported satisfactory with the exception of that at Forts Casey and Flagler, Wash., and Fort Stevens, Oreg., but provision for these is now under way. In respect to a sufficiency of quarters for the troops then in garrison and those to arrive, it is reported that additional buildings, to complete a two-company post, are now in course of construction at Fort Lawton, and at Fort Columbia, Wash., a contract has been made for the erection of buildings to accommodate one company. Work on the defenses of Puget Sound is progressing toward completion, much having been accomplished. The posts of Fort Sherman and Camp Osborne, Idaho, have been broken up during the past year. The former has been transferred to the Interior Department and the latter abandoned. The grounds at Camp Osborne were rented by the State of Idaho; the public property was sent to posts. Very respectfully, SAMUEL B. M. YOUNG, Major-General, Commanding. REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. GEORGE M. RANDALL, U. S. A., COMMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF ALASKA. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ALASKA, The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the administration of affairs in this department for the past year. The last annual report, dated September 20, 1900, was made to cover, as far as possible, the work of the open season of navigation in Alaska for that year, the department having been in existence only since the 1st of February preceding. A condensed telegraphic report, via cable to Nome, was made to the Adjutant-General of the Army upon November 2, and is here repeated, as summarizing the conditions about the close of navigation for 1900 in Bering Sea: Unusually severe weather conditions this vicinity all latter part of season. Impossible to discharge machinery and cargo coal arriving October 8 on chartered transport Kvarven. Near 400 tons landed with difficulty and great expense to Government. Two barges chartered from transportation companies lost with partial cargoes coal. Also two small Government barges. All chargeable to late arrival and too great draft coal ship. Fuel supply for winter scant, but sufficient with economy to prevent suffering. Practically no supply long forage for animals; may necessitate killing some of them. No shortages of importance at Nome. Fresh vegetables for up-river posts arrived too late. None could be sent through to Egbert. Partial supply reached Gibbon by purchasing boat for shipment. Regular transportation companies declined risk. All supplies northern Alaska should arrive not later than August 15 to insure economic discharge and safe forwarding; high winds and seas are usual after that date. Ice formed in bay October 21, on which date last mail left and navigation closed. Ice breaking and re-forming since, with heavy storms. Cable in operation by Alaska Commercial Company St. Michael to Nome. Last boat reported about to leave Nome. Telegraph working parties in field Unalaklik, Kaltag, and points on river, Nulato to Gibbon, about 200 men. Estimated over 200 miles land line constructed, with prospect of as much more before parties are drawn in for midwinter. Latest reports indicate troops generally in good health. The fuel supply for the winter proved to be sufficient for all needs, under the circumstances of a comparatively moderate degree of cold during the early part of the winter, and hay was procured by purchase on the island in sufficient quantity to carry the public animals through the winter. Beginning in the early part of September, the normal condition of the weather in this vicinity is one of storm, the gales increasing in frequency and violence, until the closing of the bay and adjacent sea by ice. There is no dockage for ocean vessels. All supplies received must be lightered from the ships in open roadstead, the shallowness of the bay requiring vessels of only 14 feet draft to anchor from 1 to 2 miles off shore, and vessels drawing 25 feet or more to anchor about 6 miles out. The difficulty and expense of lightering naturally increase with the distance of the vessel from shore and in weather at all rough the work of lightering becomes impossible. It is therefore recommended that all supplies for this point be shipped in vessels of lightest draft; if possible, not to exceed 16 feet. Early in the season of last year a contract was made with the Alaska Exploration Company for the transportation of troops and supplies to and from river points, but the contractors failing to fulfill their contract satisfactorily, a new one was made later with the Seattle-Yukon Transportation Company. The Robert Dollar, from Seattle, with perishable subsistence and other supplies for Fort St. Michael and river points, arrived here September 19, 1900, which date was so late as to create a doubt whether a steamer could make the trip from here to Fort Gibbon and return before the close of navigation. In consequence the contractor demanded such a high rate, having no relation to the original contract agreement, for the transportation of these supplies that it was deemed more economical to purchase a steamer for the purpose, which was done, and the subsequent safe return to this port, on October 16, 1900, of this vessel, the Katie Hemrich (now the General Van Vliet), justified the action taken. The total expense of purchase of the boat and hire of crew for the trip was considerably less than the amount demanded by the transportation company for carrying the freight. |