28th Congress, Rep. No. 77. Ho, op. REPs.
1st Session. -
REMOUNTING THE SECOND REGIMENT DRAGOONS.
- [To accompany bill H. R. No. 20.]
January 27, 1844.
Mr. Hawaison, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made the
following
REPORT:
The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom were referred the resolutions
of the States of Louisiana and Missouri, several petitions from sundry
citizens of Louisiana, and the bill of the House, in relation to remount-
ing the 2d regiment of dragoons, report:
The committee have given to the subject the investigation invoked by a
proper regard to the high authorities by whose action the subject has been
brought to their consideration. The policy of the General Government for
many years has been directed to the removal of the different Indian tribes
from the east to the west of the Mississippi—a policy demanded by the
necessities of our people, well calculated to promote peaceful relations with
them, and altogether necessary to the well-being of the tribes themselves.
In pursuance of this policy, tribe after tribe have been removed under treaty
stipulations, at great expense to the Government, and quartered in a perma-
ment home on our western frontier, until scarce a remnant of them now re-
mains to disturb the quiet of our settlements east of the Mississippi. It has,
however, subjected our western frontier to the same apprehension, dangers,
and depredations from these tribes, from which others have been relieved;
aggravated by the fact, that under our treaties their present location has
been made permanent. Attempts at civilization among many of these tribes
have been attended with little success, and in some instances have proved
entirely abortive. Besides the emigrated, there are many restless, roving,
and ungovernable tribes of wild Indians, who, in the language of one of
the petitions referred to the committee, “range in all the fierceness of their
native character” in the wilds of the western territory, who subsist on the
fruits of their theft and predatory warfare, and whose peaceful relations with
us are maintained alone from considerations of our superior power. Indian
character is not to be relied on for long-continued friendship. General
Scott, in a note accompanying the report of the Adjutant General, received
in answer to certain interrogatories made by the committee upon the Secre-
tary of War, and transmitted by the Secretary of War to the committee,
says: “By the last report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, it appears
that the total number of Indians on those frontiers, native and transplanted,
is 250,503. Taking a fifth as capable of bearing arms, and we find more
than 50,000 warriors within striking distance of our western frontiers.”
Blair & Rives, pºint,

º Rep. No. 77.
These tribes combined of themselves, or in alliance with a foreign enemy
and supplied by them, would become no inconsiderable annoyance to the
country itself, and much more so to the exposed white settlements. The
committee have conferred with many experienced officers of the army as
to the efficiency of the military force now on the western frontier, and the
comparative utility of mounted and infantry service as applied to the wants
of that section. These have, with singular unanimity, recommended a
mounted force. This conclusion would seem to be inevitable from the na-
ture of the service, the character of the probable enemy, and the face of the
country. Indian depredations are usually committed under the covert of
night, in neighborhoods where it is known there is no military force, or one
from its nature tardy in its movements. A suitable force, so formed as to
enable them to repair in speed to the scene of depredation, give a speedy
chase to the enemy, overtake and punish him, is deemed by the committee
best suited for the protection of our western frontier. In the report of the
General commanding in chief, accompanying the President's message to the
3d session of the 27th Congress, it is stated:—“The country west (and in
part east) of a deflecting line passing from the upper Red river through our
cavalry posts to Fort Snelling at the Falls of St. Anthony, a distance of a
thousand miles, is very generally of the character called prairie, or wild
meadow; and abounds in warlike Indians, who are mostly mounted. A
warrior on horseback looks upon a foot soldier beyond musket-shot without
any sense of immediate danger. We now have seven cavalry posts in that
immense country; with fewer, there would be no chain, and no moral in:
fluence extended over many of the wild tribes.” It was added, it is neces-
sary “to keep all these stations reinforced with portions of infantry, so that
the whole cavalry may be constantly in readiness to dash over the wild
prairies as occasions may require, or at least yearly, if only to exhibit them-
selves. The strength of a troop of cavalry has been reduced from sixty to
fifty privates; one is not now sufficient to take the field singly. Two (a
squadron) is indispensable to each of the four smaller, and four companies
to each of the three larger posts: in all, twenty companies, or two regiments."
These remarks apply to an extent of one thousand miles only of the seven-
teen hundred of exposed frontier, as shown in the Adjutant General's report
heretofore referred to, and in part accompanying this report.
The Committee on Military Affairs, (27th Congress, 2d session, House
document No. 904,) after alluding to the reduction which had then taken
place in the two regiments of dragoons, under the exercise of the President's
discretion, and in recommending a still further reduction to the present
number, use this language: “The committee, therefore, propose to continue
the second regiment of dragoons with the diminution of actual expense,
and a reduction of privates in each company of both regiments to fifty, in:
stead of the (then) present number of seventy-one.” By the act approved
August 23, 1842, respecting the organization of the army, the committee's
recommendation for reduction was passed into a law, so far as related to the
1st regiment; and by the same act, the 2d regiment was converted into
a regiment of riflemen—reducing the dragoon force beyond the reçº
mendation of the committee to the extent of one-half of its number. The
present committee are of opinion that the mounted force now on our Wººn
frontier is not adequate to the wants of that frontier. A regiment only dis-
tributed along the whole line of the exposed frontier, extending, as it does
from the extreme southwest to our northwestern boundary, with however
-

Rep. No. 77. - 3.
much military forecast, would render the whole, under necessary subdi-
visions, totally inefficient. The committee herewith furnish an official
statement of the Adjutant General, with extracts of accompanying remarks,
showing the number of military posts, and the force (dragoon, infantry, and
riflemen) along the great line of the western frontier, elicited by a corres-
pondence with the Secretary of War, and which shows the extent of that
frontier, the posts, their locations, the force at each, the distance and aver-
age distance between them.

Enumeration of the military posts, and return of the force present and absent, consisting of dragoons, infantry, and rifle º
men, along the great line of the western frontiers. -
3 || 3 ||3: ;
- E | | |2 = 3
= | 3 |* = 5 & -
- º: E -
No. Posts. Situation. Regiments. 5 # g 5 : = 5: ; Remarks.
º s - # = º F. 39
5 ####| ||
z 3 2. ~ * * *
1 Fort Snelling - Upper Mississippi, Iowa - - || 1st infantry - 3. 12 177 189 750 miles above St. Louis.
2 : Fort Crawford - Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin - || 1st infantry - : º º: 201 300 miles below Fort Snelling.
3 Fort Atkinson - Iowa Territory - - - º, I I 3 § ! 103 50 miles west of Fort crawford.
4 : Fort Des Moines Iowa Territory - - - º, I ; ; § ! 104 200 miles from Fort Leavenworth.
5 : Fort Leavenworth Right bank of Missouri - - }º, : | ; 366 125 miles north of Fort Scott.
-- - - - 4. - -
6 : Fort Scott - On the Marmiton, Missouri - }º, - 7 º 185 150 miles north of Fort Gibson.
7 : Fort Gibson - On the Arkansas - - - }º, 4. º º 358 60 miles northwest of Fort Smith.
8 . Fort Smith - On the Arkansas - - - || 6′h infantry - 2 8 100 || 108 150 miles north of Fort Towson.
9 Fort Towson - On the Kiamichi, Arkansas - 6th infantry - 4 18 230 248 90 miles east of Fort Washita.
10 Fort Washita - Near the False Washita, Arkansas }º º º º }* -
11 || Fort Jesup - Near Natchitoches, Louisiana - Riflemen - 7 26 282 308 325 miles from Fort Towson.
43 165 2,264 2,429 -

5
Rep. No. 77.
Remarks.
1. The sum of the distances between the several posts enumerated, is
computed to be about 1,800 miles, making an average between the respect-
ive posts of about 150 miles; the greatest distance being 325 miles between
any of the posts along the line, progressing southwardly; and the least, 50
miles. - -
2. The important central position of Jefferson barracks, near St. Louis,
now garrisoned with sixteen companies of infantry, regarded as the “west-
ºrn reserve,” is omitted in the above list; the force stationed there being
available in any direction, on any emergency which would require an ad-
ditional force at any threatened point along the great line of western fron-
tler.
of the 43 companies statiºned on the western frontiers, 23 are infantry;
being an excess of three companies over two regiments; but the rank and
file inder the reduced standard is but 1,219. The average strength of the
23 companies of infantry is 42 privates, which will very soon be consid-
erably reduced. In one company there are but 28 privates. In stating
the military force by companies, therefore, the number of companies does
not indicate the real strength of the garrison.
Apjuſt ANT GENERAL's OFFICE,
January 16, 1844. - R. JONES,
Adjutant General.
-
As intimately connected with the subject referred to the committee, they
direct the attention of the House to the following extract of a letter from
his excellency Governor Yell of Arkansas, to Major General Scott.
Extract of a letter from his excellency Governor Yell, of Arkansas, to
Major General Scott.
“Executive DEPARTMENT,
* Little Rock, Arkansas, Oct. 28, 1843.
“To you I need not point out the necessity of an efficient force upon this
frontier, where there are not less than 50,000 warriors within striking dis-
tance, and but the skeletons of two infantry regiments to keep them in
check. Although there may be no apparent danger at this moment, yet
your knowledge of Indian character will enable you to decide that a sufi-
cient force must be kept on the frontier, for the purpose of a moral effect
upon those tribes, and that that force should be of a character to render an
immediate and effective resistance to any outbreak or disturbance in the In-
dian country. This cannot, on our borders, be efficiently done with infan-
try. The posts upon the line might be garrisoned with infantry, but mount-
ed dragoons would be the most efficient troops to employ in the Indian
country. -
“Pardon me for attempting an argument to you on a subject with which
you are so familiar. I speak the sentiments of the whole people of this
State, when I say to you that we require an additional military force on the
western frontier, from Fort Leavenworth to Red river, and more especially
*The two regiments, though skeletons, have their legal complement of men.—W. S.

6 Rep. No. 77.
west of Arkansas, and opposite the Cherokee nation, We desire, for the
peace and security of the citizens of western Arkansas, the re-establishment
of a post at or near old “Fort Wayne;” and last, though not least, we de-
sire the remounting of the 2d regiment of dragoons, and that they be post-
ed on our frontier.”
A true copy: WINFIELD SCOTT.
The committee have, also, in a correspondence with the Department of War,
received reports from the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General,
and the answers to several inquiries which were addressed to an officer of
the army, unofficially, by the Secretary of War; which the committee here-
with annex, as containing the most authentic information upon the subject
referred to them. From these reports may be ascertained the probable cost
of remounting, and annual cost of maintaining, the 2d regiment of dra-
goons; also, the probable difference, in the expense to the Government, be-
tween maintaining a regiment of riflemen and a regiment of dragoons. The
Secretary of War, in his report accompanying the President's message to
the present session of Congress, after recommending the remounting of the
2d regiment, says: “This can be effected at a very moderate expense. An
advance of perhaps, 20 per cent, on the amount for which the old horses
were sold, will furnish them with new and better horses; their uniform has
not been changed, in consequence of the dragoon clothing on hand, and a
hope that the result now recommended might be consummated. The ex-
tended frontier on our entire west is subject to Indian incursions. Many
of the tribes are mounted; and it is impossible either to overtake them, to
protect the inhabitants, or to repress the marauding of the savages by the
small body of unmounted soldiers which would be stationed on that fron-
tier, or in the Indian country, or brought to act against them. Celerity of
movement is required, and is of the utmost importance to the security of our
citizens. This can, it is believed, alone be completely effected by dragoons;
and a single regiment in service is not sufficient for the purpose.” General
Scott's report to the Secretary of War, and which also accompanies the
President's message to the present Congress, represents that “one regiment
of dragoons, however efficient, is not enough for that prairie frontier, covered
with mounted Indians, independent of the recent superadded duty of escort-
ing Santa Fe caravans.”
The Government owes protection to her people, cost what it may. But
the committee are of opinion that, to provide a sufficient defence on the
western frontier, under the present organization—that frontier being now
found, in some instances, without a military post for more than three hun-
dred miles—the number of these posts would have to be increased. Several
applications for additional posts have already been made to the General
commanding the army, and to the present Congress. And if economy
alone should be made the governing principle of our legislation upon
this subject, then it is believed the greater expense of this increased
number of posts, and of sustaining them by the necessarily increased num-
ber of infantry, may be saved to the Government by the less expensive
operation of remounting and sustaining the 2d regiment of dragoºns, and
a more efficient defence would at the same time be secured to the frontier.
As an act of justice to our western people, on whose border we have emigra-

Rep. No. 77. 7.
ted many of these tribes of Indians; in view of the prºperty of our citizens to
be defended; and, above all, for the protection of the lives of our people, the
ºlder commend the passage of the bill referred to them, and which is
her with returned to the House. All of which is respectfully submitted.
-
Apjuſt ANT GENERAL's OFFICE,
Washington, January 12, 1844.
sis. In compliance with your instructions of yesterday, I submit the
following statements under the several heads of inquiry:
I. : Military positions and stations on the western and northwestern
frontiers.”
I
Fort Snelling, Falls of St. Anthony, Iowa Territory, 300 miles north,
and distant from
2. Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Territory, 125 miles from
3. Fort Winnebago, Wisconsin Territory, portage of Fox and Wisconsin
riverS.
4. Fort Atkinson, on Turkey river, Iowa Territory, 50 miles west of
Fort Crawford.
5. Fort des Moines, Iowa Territory, 200 miles from
6. Fort Leavenworth, Upper Missouri river, 125 miles north of
7. Fort Scott, on the Marmiton, west of Missouri line, 150 miles north of
8. Fort Gibson, Arkansas, 60 miles northwest of
9. Fort Smith, Arkansas, 150 miles north of
10. Fort Towson, Red river, Arkansas, 90 miles east of
11. Fort Washita, on the False Washita, Arkansas.
12. Fort Jesup, near Natchitoches, Louisiana, 325 miles from Fort Tow-
SOI). -
The distance from Fort Jesup to Fort Smith is 475 miles.
The sum of the distances between the several posts enumerated is com-
puted to be about 1,800 miles, making an average between the respective
posts of 150 miles—the greatest distance being 325 miles between any of
the posts along the line, progressing southwardly; and the least, 50 miles.
II.- The eatent of frontier to be protected.”
This inquiry is nearly met in the enumeration of the posts and the dis-
tances specified under the first head; but the extent of the line of western
and northwestern frontier may be briefly stated thus: From the head of
Lake Superior to Fort Snelling, on the Mississippi, near the Falls of St.
Anthony; thence along the frontiers of Iowa Territory to Fort Leaven-
worth, in Missouri, (and west of it) four hundred and thirty miles above the
mouth of the Missouri, 980 miles; thence south, along the frontiers of the
State of Missouri, via Forts Scott, Gibson, Smith, and Towson, to Fort
Washita, Arkansas, (in the extreme southwest) 675 miles; thence, south-
easterly, to Fort Jesup, near Natchitoches, Louisiana, 325 miles; and thence
to the mouth of the Sabine, Gulf of Mexico, 200 miles: making an aggre.
gate practicable distance of nearly 2,200 miles.

8 - Rep. No. 77.
III-" Present position of the regiment of dragoons.”
1. Fort Atkinson, Iowa Territory, 1 company.
2. Fort des Moines, Iowa Territory, 1 company.
3. Fort Leavenworth, Missouri, 4 companies.
4. Fort Scott, on the Marmiton, Missouri, 1 company.
5. Fort Gibson, Arkansas, 2 companies.
6. Fort Washita, Arkansas, 1 company.
The line of posts occupied by the companies of this regiment, it will be
seen, is not less than 1,000 miles, and extends from the 34th to the 43d
degree of north latitude.
IV.- What is the annual increased cost of a regiment of dragoons, when
mounted 2*
The information required under this head is derived from the Paymaster
General's and Quartermaster's Departments; and, agreeably to the estimates
of pay for the current fiscal year, it appears that the sum required for the an-
nual pay and subsistence of officers and men, and commutation of forage for
the commissioned officers of the regiment of dragoons, is - $107,917 00
Sum estimated for the annual pay, subsistence, and commuta-
tion of forage, for the officers and men of the rifle regi-
ment, (on foot) - - - - - - 89,305 00
Difference, or increased cost per annum, on account of pay,
subsistence, and commutation of forage, when a regiment
is mounted - - - - - - - 18,612 00
Add the average cost per annum of foraging the mounted re-
giment - - - - - - - 34,807 76
To this add the estimated cost, per annum, for recruiting
horses, shoeing, supply and wear and tear of horse equip-
ments, wagons, mules, and horse medicine - - - 25,757. 30
Total annual increased cost for a regiment of dragoons,
when mounted - - - - - - - $79,177 06
The first cost for the purchase of horses, cavalry equipage,
and all supplies requisite for the mounting of a regiment
with the dragoon organization, when serving on foot, is
estimated to be - - -- - - - $67,536 90
Respectfully submitted : -
- R. JONES,
- Adjutant General.
Hon. J. M. Porter, Secretary of War.
QuARTERMAster GENERAL's OFFICE,
Washington City, January 17, 1844.
Sºn: In compliance with your order of yesterday, I have the honor to
present a statement of the probable expense, through this department, incº-

Rep. No. 77. 9.
dent to remounting the late 2d regiment of dragoons, and the probable an-
nual expense of maintaining them as a regiment of dragoons, over that
required to maintain them as infantry. (See paper marked A.) This state-
ment is made from positive data, and is as near an approximation to posi-
tive truth as such statements are susceptible of being made.
Though the expense of remounting the late 2d dragoons, and the com-
parative annual expense of maintaining them, seem to me to be all that is
required from this office, in reply to the inquiries of the honorable chair-
man of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives,
of the 11th instant, I take the liberty of submitting a copy of a letter ad-
dressed to a member of Congress on the 5th of April, 1830, in answer to
certain inquiries on the subject of a mounted force for the defence of the
western frontier. (See paper marked B.)
Since that letter was written, from twenty to thirty thousand Indian war-
riors have been sent from the eastern to the western side of the Missis-
sippi.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
TH. S. JESUP,
- - Quartermaster General.
The Hon. JAMEs M. Port ER,
Secretary of War, Washington city.
A.
Statement evhibiting the expense of foraging the horses of a regiment of
dragoons on the western frontier for one year, including forage for fifty
mules required for said regiment.
Assuming that the price paid for forage in 1843 remains the same, the
yearly expense of foraging one horse at the several posts is as follows:
At Fort Jesup -- - - - - - $96 72.
At Fort Atkinson - - - - - - 63. 35
At Fort Washita - - - - - - 57. 37;
At Fort Towson - - - - - - 45 69
At Fort Scott - - - - - - 43 02
At Fort Des Moines - - - - - - 40 70
At Fort Gibson - - - - - - 37 25
At Fort Leavenworth - - - - 34 65
Should the regiment be distributed equally at the above posts, the average
ºst per year for one horse would be $52 34}, and for 615 horses and
50 mules would cost - - - - - $34,807 76
If distributed equally at Forts Jesup, Towson, Washita, and
Gibson, the average would be $59 26, and the whole cost 39,407 90
If distributed equally at Forts Jesup and Towson, the average
would be $7.1 20%, and the yearly cost - - - 47,352 98
If distributed equally at Forts Towson, Washita, Gibson, and
Scott, the average would be $45 83%, and the cost - 30,478 94
And iſ stationed at Forts Gibson, Scott, Leavenworth, Des
Moines, and Atkinson, the average would be $43,794,
and the cost g" year - - - - - 29,123 05
10 Rep. No. 77.
The price of forage at the several posts on the western frontier was
lower in 1843 than it had been for several years previous, and it is be
lieved that the prices will advance during the present year. From infor-
mation received within the last two days from Fort Scott, it is perceived
that there has been an advance of about 15 per cent, at that post.
Statement shoºping the expense of mounting a regiment of dragoons, and
keeping it up for one year, ecclusive of forage.
615 horses at $75 - - - - - - $46,125 00
615 saddles, bridles, blankets, &c., at $25 06 - - 15,411 90.
Transportation of same, from Philadelphia - - - 1,000 00
10 wagons and harness, at $200 - - - - 2,000 00
50 mules, at $60 - - - - - - 3,000 00
Wear and tear of horses - - - - - 15,375 00
Wear and tear of equipments - - - - 5,137 30
Shoeing 649 horses, including officers' horse - - 3,245 00
Shoeing 50 mules - - - - - - 250 00
Wear and tear of wagons, harness, and mules - - 1,250 00
Medicines for horses - - - - - 500 00:
Toal cost, exclusive of forage - - - - 93,294 20.
Add to the above the average cost of forage at the several
posts for one year - - - - - 34,807 76
The total expense of mounting and foraging a regiment for
the first year will be - - - - - 128,101 96
From which deduct the cost of horses, equipments, wag-
ons, mules, and transportation of equipments - - 67,536 90
The yearly cost of keeping up a regiment, after the first year, -
will be - - - - - - - $60,565 06
QUARTERMAstER GENERAL's OFFICE,
January 17, 1844.
TH. S. JESUP,
Quartermaster General.
B.
QUARTERMAstER GENERAL's OFFICE,
Washington city, April 5, 1830.
SIR. I received this morning your letter dated the 3d instant, and I have
to observe, in reply to your inquiry “whether a mounted force would
not, on the whole, be as cheap as an efficient defence by infantry,” that it
would be difficult to make an estimate of the comparative expense of the
two modes; but experience, I think, has abundantly demonstrated that the
nature of the country south of the Missouri river, and the character, habits,
and resources of the Indians who range on or inhabit it, are such as to
render it impossible to secure that frontier by infantry alone, how mu-
merous or well appointed soever they may be. As well might we leave the

Rep. No. 77. | ||
defence of our maritime frontier, and the protection of our foreign com-
merce, to the artillery stationed on the seaboard. The means of pursuing
rapidly, and punishing promptly, those who aggress, whether on the ocean
or the land, are indispensable to complete security ; and if ships of war are
required in the one case, a mounted force is equally so in the other. Were
we without a navy, piracies might be committed with entire impunity, not
only on the high seas, but in our very harbors, and within view of our
forts. So, without a mounted force south of the Missouri, the Indian, con-
fident in the capacity of his horse to bear him beyond the reach of pur-
suit, despises our power, chooses his point of attack, and often commits the
outrages to which he is prompted either by a spirit of revenge, or a love of
plunder, in the immediate vicinity of our troops; and the impunity of the
first act invariably leads to new aggressions. To compel him to respect us,
we must make him feel our power, or, at all events, convince him that he
can have no security in flight.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
TH. S. JESUP,
Quartermaster General.
Hon. A. H. S.Evie R,
House of Representatives, Washington city.
Answers of an officer of the army to inquiries unofficially addressed by the
Secretary of War.
-
1. Is the force on the western frontier sufficient for its protection
The whole military force, stationed on and west of the Mississippi river,
could not furnish protection against the warriors of one of the large tribes
on the western frontier, much less against the united efforts of the fifty
thousand warriors on that border, were they to combine in hostilities
against the United States. -
2. What are the advantages of a mounted over an infantry force for that
purpose 2
The moral influence which that description of force exercises over the
minds of the Indians, celerity of movement, destroying the feeling of se-
curity they have in flight, the promptitude with which the more remote
tribes can be visited, and the facility with which an imposing military force
may be displayed among them, tend to make this arm of service more effi-
cient in preserving tranquility upon the frontier than infantry.
3. What will be the expense incident upon remounting, and the probable
annual expense of maintaining, the 2d regiment as a regiment of dragoons,
over that required to maintain them as infantry
A sufficient number of horses for that purpose may be purchased, in the
western States, for the sum of $30,000; other incidental expenses of remount.
ing, $5,000: in all, $35,000. It is believed, if the regiment is foraged by
contract, it may be done for a sum not exceeding $20,000. The difference of
pay amounts to $18,600, which, with an allowance of $3,000 for the annual
loss in horses, (being ten per centum on the original cost,) would make the
sº cost of the regiment mounted exceed its present cost to Government
1, 00,














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