From Fort Missoula, Mont.-Companies F and H, Twenty-fifth Infantry, under command of Maj. C. McKibbin, left post September 6, 1895, and marched to the valley of the Big Black foot River, returning to post September 19. Total distance marched, 123 miles.

Companies B and G, Twenty-fifth Infantry, under command of Capt. D. B. Wilson, left post October 2 and marched to Deerlodge, Mont., returning October 21, 1895. Distance marched, 190 miles.

From Fort Snelling, Minn.-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 364 enlisted men), Col. John H. Page commanding, left Fort Snelling, Minn., June 17, 1896, and marched to Lake City, Minn., a distance of 68 miles, for encampment with the National Guard, State of Minnesota. The regiment arrived there June 22 and remained in camp until July 23, when it started on its return march to Fort Snelling, arriving there July 27. From Fort Yates, N. Dak.-Troops A and C, Eighth Cavalry, and Company H, Twelfth Infantry, Maj. James N. Wheelan commanding, left post September 4, 1895, marched to Cannon Ball River, and returned September 14, covering a distance of 54 miles.

From Fort Yellowstone, Wyo.-Troop I, Sixth Cavalry, under command of Capt. George S. Anderson, left post October 9 and returned October 20, 1895, marching a distance of 188 miles.

Since my last annual report three fires have occurred at posts in this department. One at Fort Keogh, Mont., on December 1, 1895, partially destroyed officers' quarters No. 12; cause unknown. In the second the stables of Troop A, Eighth Cavalry, at Fort Yates, N. Dak., were completely destroyed on January 23, 1896, and with them 47 public and 6 private horses, together with nearly all the equipments of the enlisted men and some other public property. This fire is believed to have been the work of incendiarism, although the board of officers convened in the case was unable to discover the incendiary. The third fire partially destroyed officers' quarters Nos. 8 and 10 at Fort Assinniboine, Mont., July 31, 1896; cause unknown.

On the 27th of June last I left my headquarters to make the annual inspection of posts and garrisons as required by regulations. I visited the posts in the order named below.

FORT YATES, N. DAK.

The troops of this garrison are well instructed, except in some minor details, to which the attention of the post commander was called at the time, with instructions which will correct those points found defective. The buildings at this post are, except the cavalry barracks, very old and dilapidated. Considerable repairs have been made the past year, but the amount allotted for this purpose merely enabled a system of patching to be applied, which is not sufficient to maintain the buildings in a serviceable condition for any length of time.

The bathroom at this post is under the old tank, and is in a very bad condition. New and better bathing facilities should be authorized.

FORT CUSTER, MONT.

The garrison of this post is well instructed and well disciplined. Such defects as were observed were called to the attention of the commanding officer, with instructions to correct them.

Repairs made to buildings under the allotment of last year were not sufficient. Their condition has not been much improved thereby. I

Station, and what troops would be required to carry out the provisions of the act of Congress approved May 13, 1896, authorizing the President to deport from Montana and deliver at the international boundary line the Canadian Indians referred to above. He left Fort Snelling, Minn., June 3, 1896, and upon receipt of his report containing the required data the following troops were ordered out from Fort Assinniboine, Mont., for the purpose of rounding up and transporting these Indians to Coutts Station, Northwest Territories:

Troop D, Tenth Cavalry, Lieut. John J. Pershing commanding, left post June 13. Rejoined August 14.

Troop C, Tenth Cavalry, under command of Capt. Charles E. Nordstrom, left post June 15 and returned June 19. Distance marched, 300 miles (in detachments).

A detachment of Company C, Twenty-fifth Infantry, commanded by First Lieut. F. H. Albright, left post June 18 and returned June 21. Distance traveled by rail, 286 miles.

A detachment of Company E, Twenty-fifth Infantry, commanded by First Lieut. William T. Wilder, left post June 20 and returned June 23. Distance traveled by rail, 300 miles.

Troop I, Tenth Cavalry, Capt. S. L. Woodward commanding, left post June 24 and returned July 15, except a detachment under Second Lieut. J. A. Ryan, which returned July 28. Total distance traveled, 639 miles. Camp Merritt, Mont., a subpost of Fort Keogh, Mont., was garrisoned during the past year by detachments consisting of 1 officer and 15 enlisted men each from the latter post, who were relieved every two months up to February, 1896, and every month since then.

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

From Fort Assinniboine, Mont.-Troops C, F, and I, Tenth Cavalry, with 1 medical officer and a detachment of the hospital corps, under command of Capt. S. L. Woodward, left post August 13, 1895, marched via Big Sandy, Fort Benton, Great Falls, and Sun River Valley to Old Fort Shaw, Mont., and returned via a more westerly route August 31, having marched a distance of 283 miles.

From Fort Custer, Mont.-Troops B, E, G, and K, Tenth Cavalry, Maj. S. T. Norvell commanding, left post September 11 and returned September 20, 1895, having made a march of 138 miles.

Companies A and D, Twenty-fifth Infantry, commanded by Capt. O. J. Sweet, left post October 14 and returned October 23, 1895. Distance marched, 120 miles.

From Fort Keogh, Mont.-Troop A, Tenth Cavalry, Capt. Charles L. Cooper commanding, left post September 9, 1895, marched to Fort Custer, Mont., and returned September 21, covering a distance of 320 miles.

The band and Companies F, G, and H, Twenty-second Infantry, with 1 medical officer and a detachment of the hospital corps, under command of Col. James S. Casey, left post September 23, 1895, marched to Tongue River and established a camp of instruction. Returned to post September 28. Distance marched, 24 miles.

The band and Companies C, F, G, and H, Twenty-second Infantry, with 1 medical officer and a detachment of the hospital corps, Col. James S. Casey commanding, left post May 27, 1896, marched to a point about 4 miles from post and returned the same day.

Troop A, Tenth Cavalry, Capt. Charles L. Cooper commanding left post May 29, 1896, marched to Cooley's ranch, on the Tongue River, and returned the same day. Distance marched, about 24 miles.

From Fort Missoula, Mont.-Companies F and H, Twenty-fifth Infantry, under command of Maj. C. McKibbin, left post September 6, 1895, and marched to the valley of the Big Blackfoot River, returning to post September 19. Total distance marched, 123 miles.

Companies B and G, Twenty-fifth Infantry, under command of Capt. D. B. Wilson, left post October 2 and marched to Deerlodge, Mont., returning October 21, 1895. Distance marched, 190 miles.

From Fort Snelling, Minn.-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 364 enlisted men), Col. John H. Page commanding, left Fort Snelling, Minn., June 17, 1896, and marched to Lake City, Minn., a distance of 68 miles, for encampment with the National Guard, State of Minnesota. The regiment arrived there June 22 and remained in camp until July 23, when it started on its return march to Fort Snelling, arriving there July 27. From Fort Yates, N. Dak.-Troops A and C, Eighth Cavalry, and Company H, Twelfth Infantry, Maj. James N. Wheelan commanding, left post September 4, 1895, marched to Cannon Ball River, and returned September 14, covering a distance of 54 miles.

From Fort Yellowstone, Wyo.-Troop I, Sixth Cavalry, under command of Capt. George S. Anderson, left post October 9 and returned October 20, 1895, marching a distance of 188 miles.

Since my last annual report three fires have occurred at posts in this department. One at Fort Keogh, Mont., on December 1, 1895, partially destroyed officers' quarters No. 12; cause unknown. In the second the stables of Troop A, Eighth Cavalry, at Fort Yates, N. Dak., were completely destroyed on January 23, 1896, and with them 47 public and 6 private horses, together with nearly all the equipments of the enlisted men and some other public property. This fire is believed to have been the work of incendiarism, although the board of officers convened in the case was unable to discover the incendiary. The third fire partially destroyed officers' quarters Nos. 8 and 10 at Fort Assinniboine, Mont., July 31, 1896; cause unknown.

On the 27th of June last I left my headquarters to make the annual inspection of posts and garrisons as required by regulations. I visited the posts in the order named below.

FORT YATES, N. DAK.

The troops of this garrison are well instructed, except in some minor details, to which the attention of the post commander was called at the time, with instructions which will correct those points found defective. The buildings at this post are, except the cavalry barracks, very old and dilapidated. Considerable repairs have been made the past year, but the amount allotted for this purpose merely enabled a system of patching to be applied, which is not sufficient to maintain the buildings in a serviceable condition for any length of time.

The bathroom at this post is under the old tank, and is in a very bad condition. New and better bathing facilities should be authorized.

FORT CUSTER, MONT.

The garrison of this post is well instructed and well disciplined. Such defects as were observed were called to the attention of the commanding officer, with instructions to correct them.

Repairs made to buildings under the allotment of last year were not sufficient. Their condition has not been much improved thereby. I

would renew my recommendation that if the post be maintained it should be rebuilt.

FORT ASSINNIBOINE, MONT.

The garrison is well disciplined and well instructed. Any defects noted were brought to the attention of the commanding officer, with instructions to correct them.

The enlargement of the barracks recommended last year is now being made. Other matters recommended have been approved, and each set of officers' quarters is now being supplied with a proper heating plant. The question of water supply is now solved, I believe. All that is necessary is to protect the pipes in a proper manner, which has already been the subject of correspondence.

The allotment for repairs was insufficient and should be increased largely.

The post exchange buildings are still rented from the former post trader. I would recommend that these buildings be purchased by the Government.

I would renew my recommendation that a riding hall be built at this post at the earliest practicable moment.

FORT HARRISON, MONT.

This post is in process of construction. The garrison is in excellent condition as regards discipline and instruction.

There is much to be done at this post which will require a liberal expenditure of money and labor and a lapse of some years to accomplish the desired results.

FORT MISSOULA, MONT.

I found this post in the condition reported last year. The troops are well disciplined and well instructed.

Considerable repairs were made and a great deal more should be done. Particularly would I recommend that a bathroom be added to each set of officers' quarters.

FORT YELLOWSTONE, WYO.

The garrison of this post is, as is usual at this season of the year, scattered throughout the Yellowstone National Park. I found the various detachments in good condition, prompt and careful and attentive to their duties.

I would again recommend that buildings be erected at the post to take the place of those in the old post, and that a riding hall be built as soon as practicable.

FORT KEOGH, MONT.

The infantry part of the garrison of this post was changed since last year. I found it and the troop of cavalry well instructed and well disciplined.

Many repairs have been made, but much more is needed and should not be delayed if the post is to be maintained. I have directed the commanding officer to adapt one of the many storehouses at this station for the purpose of a gymnasium. The change can be made with but slight expense.

FORT SNELLING, MINN.

This post is garrisoned by the Third Infantry, which had but recently returned from an absence of over a month attending a camp of the National Guard of Minnesota at Lake City. I found the troops well disciplined and instructed, and the commanding officer was directed to correct such minor defects as were observed.

I would call attention to my remark of last year in regard to the widely scattered condition of the post, particularly the storehouses. The water system is being enlarged, and it appears to me there will now be a sufficiency of water for all the needs of the garrison.

I would suggest that the method of heating of the company quarters be changed, substituting steam for the hot-air system now in use as being less expensive and more satisfactory.

In conclusion I would recommend that the matter of riding halls at Fort Assinniboine and Fort Yellowstone receive immediate attention, and that at Forts Missoula, Harrison, Assiniboine, Yellowstone, and Snelling suitable buildings be erected for gymnastic and athletic exe:cises, that the directions of the Major-General Commanding the Army may be carried out fully.

I would invite attention to the reports of the chiefs of the staff departments at these headquarters, which give in detail the matters pertaining to each. The officers stationed here as members of my staff have shown zeal and ability in their various departments to the benefit of the service and the satisfaction of their commander.

Respectfully,

JOHN R. BROOKE, Brigadier-General, Commanding Department.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY,

Washington, D. C.

REPORT OF BRIG. GEN. FRANK WHEATON.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLORADO,

Denver, Colo., September 30, 1896.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my annual report of the Department of the Colorado for the year 1895-96 in compliance with the instructions of the Major-General Commanding the Army.

CHANGES AT MILITARY POSTS.

Fort Stanton, N. Mex., has been abandoned within the last year, thus reducing the number of regularly garrisoned posts in the department to nine.

The changes in stations of troops from and to the various posts will be found in Appendix B.

INDIANS.

As there are 49,894 Indians on reservations within the limits of my command, it is a satisfaction to be able to report that none are on the warpath, nor are there any present indications that settlers on our Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah sparsely settled frontiers will be disturbed by them. The Apaches are steadily though slowly improving, cultivating their little farms, supplying our military posts with the results