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new hospital building has been stopped in obedience to War Department instructions of July 12 last. At Fort Yellowstone $9,180 have been expended in the construction of storehouses and hired civilian quarters and for repairs about the post generally. The cost of repairs at Forts Assinniboine and Snelling has equaled nearly $6,000 at each post, at Fort Meade a little more than $4,000, and at Fort Keogh nearly $3,500. All of this post construction and repair work has been performed under contract or by hired labor-the great depletion in garrisons making soldiers' labor for such purposes impracticable.

More than the usual number of fires have occurred at posts during the year, resulting in a loss to the Government of some $9,000. The commanding officer's quarters at Fort Assinniboine and the quartermaster's stables at Fort Yates were practically destroyed. The loss at Fort Keogh by the partial burning of the quartermaster's stable and other buildings approximates $2,500, and that at Fort Snelling of noncommissioned officers' quarters some $1,500. The causes of fires, except in two instances when lightning and lamp explosion were held responsible, have not been accounted for, but are supposed to have been accidental.

For the general health of the troops of the command, military instruction received by them, and the character of post administration attention is invited to the attached reports of the chief surgeon and the inspector-general. Target practice has received its usual allotment of time. Practice marches have been indulged in to the extent practicable, and the post lyceums maintained in so far as the preparation and reading of essays are concerned; but the dearth of officers present for duty and the consequent large aggregation of labors devolving upon those present have made class recitation impossible.

Since the departure of General Wade the official business of the headquarters of the department has been carried on by a very much depleted number of staff officers. As an instance of the many varying duties falling to the lot of a single individual, I might cite the case of Major and Quartermaster George E. Pond, who has been the department chief quartermaster and chief commissary the entire year, also the depot quartermaster at headquarters. Since February 21 he has been the department engineer and ordnance officer, and upon the withdrawal of Colonel Hunter on June 7 became adjutant-general and judge-advocate, all of which positions he still holds. I am greatly indebted to all staff officers at these headquarters for continued assistance, and, in fact, while absent from the department attending duties devolving upon me in Chicago, which have consumed a great portion of my time, they have transacted all routine department business.

I have not as yet inspected any of the department posts except Fort Snelling, but expect to visit a number within the coming week, after which it may be considered important to submit results of inspection. Very respectfully,

E. S. OTIS, Major-General, Commanding.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA,
St. Paul, Minn., August 26, 1901.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

Washington, D. C.

SIR: In accordance with intention expressed in the short annual report submitted on the 13th instant, I visited a number of military posts of the department, namely, Forts Missoula, Harrison, Yellowstone, and Keogh, and find conditions generally as follows:

Fort Missoula, Mont.--Inspected August 14, now garrisoned by Company C. Eighth Infantry. Has quarters for 15 officers and 4 barrack buildings. The barracks will only accommodate two large companies of 104 men each. All buildings of the post, of which there are a bountiful supply, are in fair condition and need nothing for present repair except a small amount of building material, possibly 10,000 feet of flooring, some lime, calcimine, etc., and no labor except what can be performed by extra-duty men. The post has a good sawmill which needs little repair. Lumber in yards sawed in logs, about 30,000 feet. Abundant water and excellent. Water system in good condition, with this exception, namely, that a few pipes are needed. Post healthy and pleasantly located in all respects, cheaply supplied, wood costing $2.25 per cord and forage correspondingly low. In a short time the foundation timbers of some of the building must be replaced and porch timbers renewed. One thousand two hundred dollars, with a little extra-duty money, should be sufficient to put this post in good condition and to suitably shelter 250 men. It has been well cared for during the period the troops have been absent. I know of no better or cheaper location for the quartering of troops, nor any point where they would be more readily available for service in case of railroad and mining riots which have so often prevailed in that section of country. Its usefulness in these particulars was thoroughly tested during the excitement attending the passing of the Coxeyites a few years ago from the Pacific coast eastward and during the mining difficulties in the Cœur d'Alene region. It is also a favorite station for both officers and enlisted men. Its importance will decrease with the increase of the Fort Harrison garrison.

Fort Harrison, Mont.-The reservation consists of 1,040 acres. It has two double barrack buildings, intended for four companies of 60 men each and sixteen sets of officers' quarters. There has been expended at this post in construction and repairs to date $192,000, and for plumbing, water, sewer, and heating systems some $60,000. The buildings of the post are excellently constructed, and have received proper care during the last two or three years. Only two full infantry companies can be accommodated here. The water system is very unsatisfactory. The springs, which it was supposed would furnish an abundance of water to the garrison, have not yet been thoroughly tested, and it can not be foretold with the slightest degree of certainty what amount of water can be secured from them when developed. I have directed the commanding officer of the post to make development by use of the small drive wells. Water from the city of Helena, to the amount of about 15,000 gallons a day, is now being used by the post. This water seems to be unsatisfactory, and water for drinking purposes is taken

from the spring. With an abundance of water this post might be considered well located for the quartering of either cavalry or infantry, although it has not yet any cavalry stables. It is presumed that construction as originally contemplated will be recommenced at no very distant day. In the further construction the maximum strength of infantry companies should be taken into consideration. The post is garrisoned by Company D, Eighth Infantry, and soon to be increased by headquarters of the home battalion of the Eighth Infantry and Company A of that regiment, which during the present week a battalion of the Fourteenth Infantry will replace at Fort Snelling.

Fort Yellowstone, Wyo.-The post presented a very neat appearance. There has been expended here in construction on what is known as the new post a little more than $100,000, of which $57,000 was expended in 1891 and nearly $40,000 in 1897. It has quarters for eight company or troop officers, which are confined to four buildings. It has two barracks and all buildings required for a two-company post except quarters for the commanding officer and improved quartermaster's stable, wagon shed, and additional quartermaster's storehouse of limited proportions. The post has an excellent water and sewer system, and in the course of a month or six weeks will have a further supply of water for all purposes, including those of irrigation, as the water from a stream of considerable volume is now being introduced. Captain Chittenden, of the Engineer Corps, is supervising the work, which is now approaching completion. The garrison of one troop of cavalry was increased early in the month by most of the troop of the First Cavalry from Fort Keogh, which was sent in suddenly to assist in putting out fires in the forests, and with timely rains this has been successfully accomplished.

The importance of this post is increasing constantly and tourists are much more numerous this year than ever before. The proper policing requires constant effort of at least two troops of cavalry, and during the summer season that force might be augmented profitably. It is one of the cheapest points in the department to maintain cavalry, as the cost of forage, procured mostly from the Gallatin Valley, is somewhat less than at other posts in the department. Fuel also is very cheap, much more so than at many of the department posts--both wood and bituminous coal. It is probable that the National Park will be attended with a yearly increasing interest, and possibly Congressional appropriations will before long open to tourists a much larger portion of it.

Fort Keogh, Mont.-I inspected this post on the 24th instant. Two troops of the Thirteenth Cavalry had arrived on or about the 19th instant for temporary duty, having just completed the overland march from Fort Meade. I inspected both men and horses. The men are of good physique, show considerable instruction, and are reported to be of excellent character generally. The mounts are considered very good indeed, and it was a matter of surprise to me that they made the long overland march, ridden by recruits, arriving in such excellent condition. Only in some eight or ten instances was there any evidence of sore backs or galls of any kind. The march proved a very successful one and very instructive to both men and animals. These two troops relieved the detachment of the First Cavalry, which at once proceeded to join its troop in the Yellowstone Park. There are barrack accommodations for three full troops and a regimental band, and, by some crowding, for a full squadron of cavalry. There are 27 sets of officers'

quarters, all in fair condition, but, like the hastily constructed wooden buildings of Missoula, have foundations which show considerable decay and will soon be in need of repair. Very little money will be required to place all barracks and quarters in condition for occupancy, nor will expenditure of much money be required upon other post buildings. The allotment of $2,300 which was granted for repair for the present fiscal year has been nearly all expended and little more will be required. The 2 cavalry stables, intended to shelter 70 animals each, should each be extended some 30 feet in length. They are of very cheap construction and the cost of extension would be very slight. I found that work was about to be recommenced upon the new hospital and the water supply, to be prosecuted in accordance with contracts awarded some time since. The post will be required for some time in the future, if the cavalry ordered into the department is maintained in it. The water supply at present is abundant for all purposes except for irrigation, the water being pumped direct from the Yellowstone River. Artesian water is supplied for drinking purposes. Very little money will be required to maintain this post for two or three years in the future. No expensive extended repair should be attempted, as the old buildings are not in condition to warrant it.

Very respectfully,

E. S. OTIS, Major-General, Commanding.

REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. H. C. MERRIAM, U. S. A., COMMANDING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE COLORADO.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLORADO,

Denver, Colo., June 30, 1901.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

Washington, D. C.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my annual report of the affairs and administration of this geographical department.

The distribution of troops is shown in the following tabular state

ment:

Post.

Fort Apache, Ariz...
Fort Douglas, Utah
Fort Duchesne, Utah.
Fort Grant, Ariz....
Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
Fort Logan, Colo.....
Fort Mackenzie, Wyo..
Fort D. A. Russell, Wyo

San Carlos, Ariz..
Fort Washakie, Wyo
Fort Wingate, N. Mex..

Stations of troops.

Commanding officer.

First Lieut. V. D. Dixon, Fifth Cav-
alry.

Capt. T. F. Schley, Twenty-third In-
fantry.

Maj. C. H. Watts, Fifth Cavalry.
First Lieut. J. McClintock, Fifth
Cavalry.

First Lieut. R. B. Powers, Seventh
Cavalry.

Capt. W. H. Allaire, Twenty-third
Infantry.

First Lieut. R. F. Walton, Tenth In-
fantry.

Capt. D. B. Devore, Twenty-third
Infantry.

Sub-post to Fort Grant..

First Lieut. A. Lippincott, Four-
teenth Cavalry,

Second Lieut. C. L. Woodhouse,
Twenty-third Infantry.

Troops.

Troop G, Fifth Cavalry.

Company L, Twenty-third In-
fantry.

Troop H, Fifth Cavalry.
Troop E, Fifth Cavalry.

Troop F, Fifth Cavalry.

Company M, Twenty-third Infantry.

Company G, Tenth Infantry.

Company K, Twenty-third In-
fantry.

Detachment from Fort Grant.
Troop E, First Cavalry.

Company I, Twenty-third In-
fantry.

Indian scouts.-Fort Apache, 10; Fort Grant and San Carlos, 11; Fort Huachuca, 15; Fort Washakie, 1; Fort Wingate, 4; total, 41.

This distribution of troops has been influenced mainly by the locations of the different tribes of Indians, their reservations and agencies within the department, as shown in the following tabular statement:

Indian agencies and agents in this department and approximate number of each tribe.

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San Carlos..... Geo. M. Corson.. San Carlos, Ariz. San Carlos, Ariz. Coyotero Apache

647

San Carlos Apa-
che.

1,288

Tonto Apache

863

Mohave.

562

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NOTE. The area of this department is 522,385 square miles; of this there are 36,642 square miles of
Indian reservations.
Population: White, 880,983; Indian, 53,345.

The conduct of all these tribes during the past year has been such that troops have been called out but once on their account. This action was taken on the call of Indian Agent Myton, Uintah and Ouray agencies, at White Rocks, Utah, on December 12, 1900. On the arrest of an Indian named Black Hawk by the troops, further disorder was averted at that time, but a number of Indians representing these tribes called on Major Hughes, Ninth Cavalry, then commanding Fort Duchesne, and requested his aid in procuring a full investigation of various complaints concerning the management of their affairs, which they did not enumerate at that time, I believe, but expressed the desire to have the investigation witnessed by the military commander.

Major Hughes's report of this request was forwarded by me December 31, 1900, and Major McLaughlin, Indian inspector, visited Fort

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