Annual Report of the Secretary of War

small-arms practice, and in charge judge-advocate's office, and performing duties of judge-advocate during the absence of Col. Thomas F. Barr, assistant judge-advocate-general.

Lieut. Col. Asa B. Carey, deputy paymaster-general, chief paymaster. Maj. Charles A. Woodruff, commissary of subsistence, chief commissary.

Capt. James Allen, Signal Corps, signal officer.

I take pleasure in testifying to their efficient performance of duty in their several departments, and also to the efficient assistance rendered me by the officers of my personal staff:

Capt. Stephen C. Mills, Twelfth Infantry, aid-de-camp.

First Lieut. Albert S. Cummins, Fourth Artillery, aid-de-camp.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. H. RUGER,
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., September 15, 1896.

SIR: I have the honor to submit report of affairs in this military department covering the period from August 30, 1895, the date of the last annual report, to September 15, 1896.

As will be seen from the record of events herewith submitted, the year has been singularly free from military operations and the frontiers have enjoyed peace and quiet. In the meantime the troops have been engaged in perfecting themselves in drill, tactics, and gymnastics, and I feel confident that in all these particulars during the last year they have made important progress.

At every post in the department gymnastic work has been carried on during the past year, in the majority of cases under difficulties arising from lack of proper buildings and equipment, but always with an interest amounting to enthusiasm among both officers and men. Since experience has demonstrated the value of gymnastics in military training, it is hoped that in plans for the construction of future posts provision for gymnasiums will be included and that at the posts now garrisoned the necessary alteration or construction of buildings for such purpose will be authorized.

The past spring a uniform system of calisthenics, with rifle and carbine as bell bar, has been introduced as instruction to the garrisons in this department with satisfactory results, and during the coming winter season it is contemplated to continue this system and to elaborate it to such extent as is found possible with the means at hand.

During a short visit to southern California last spring I witnessed a drill by the naval brigade then rendezvoused at San Diego with rifles used instead of bell bars, to music, and, thanks to the courtesy of Commander Cotton, of the Navy, was enabled to secure the drill instruction and music, which, through Lieutenant Hale, of my personal staff, has been introduced at all the posts in this command. Before that I had seen a drill with bell bars during an inspection of Fort Wayne. This drill, while interesting and in no way irksome to the men, is a powerful

auxiliary in the setting up of the soldier, and should be made a part of the instruction of every soldier in the service.

Attention is invited to the report on lyceums by Lieutenant Mott, aid-de-camp, who is in charge. That the system of lyceums as carried out at the various posts has been of great benefit to the service can not be doubted. That that system is capable of improvement by alteration in its details is scarcely less certain, and a scheme for the conduct of the coming season's course is now being prepared at these headquarters, with a view of effecting such improvement.

The recent inspection of Forts Riley and Leavenworth and Jefferson Barracks impressed me very forcibly as to the great advantage of drill halls, especially for cavalry posts. The drill at Fort Riley of cavalry in riding-hall exercises is especially excellent. Men and officers take great interest in the exercises, which tend to educate the horses as well as the men. Without disparagement of the management at Fort Leavenworth, I feel called upon to especially commend the instruction at Fort Riley. It is especially good in being in furtherance of excellence in horsemanship and the use of arms mounted. This is noticeable in view of the fact that the tendency in riding-hall exercises generally is too much in the direction of circus performances.

I mention Jefferson Barracks with the other larger cavalry posts to point out the fact that the cavalry there has no riding hall and its absence is especially noticeable in the training of men and horses.

I earnestly recommend that at each post where cavalry is likely to be stationed a riding hall be constructed on the general plan of those at Forts Riley and Leavenworth. They are not expensive and the benefit which results from their use in winter and at other times to men and officers morally, physically, and professionally is so great that cost of construction should not be considered.

In this connection I especially call attention to the necessity for drill halls at all permanent infantry posts. In the winter season at any post, however propitiously situated as regards climate, there are many days when drill in the open, even if practicable, is not attended with good results. At many posts during the winter season, notably Forts Brady and Wayne, Mich., the winters are long and inclement and outdoor drills are impossible. At such posts drill halls are imperative necessities, and they should be built at once, being for the good of the service.

Encouraged by the satisfaction given by the photographs and prints of the different posts in the Department of Dakota made by Lieutenant Hale, aid-de-camp, when I was in command there, I, with the consent of the Secretary of War, have had similar photographs and prints made of the posts of this department and by the same officer. Lieutenant Hale has devoted time and attention to this work and deserves all credit for its perfection.

I feel justified by the conditions in the matter in calling special attention in this report to the hardship worked on a very deserving class of Army followers by the act of Congress of August 6, 1894, as set forth in the letter of the chief clerk in the Adjutant-General's Office at these headquarters, dated July 30, 1896, and published in full in appendix marked Exhibit No. 5. I concur most cordially in the concluding clauses of the indorsement of Colonel Barber, assistant adjutant-general at these headquarters, and ask that the attention of Congress may be called to the matter so that by legislation the apparently unintended injustice to the clerks and messengers at military headquarters may be remedied.

In conclusion, I call attention to the reports of the different staff