ping the coast defenses with modern high-power guns, and very expensive concrete fortifications have been built. More than 400 modern guns have been mounted for the protection of our principal harbors, so that safety has been secured to a great extent so far as the fixed armament is concerned, yet the expenditure that has been made of $80,000,000 would be entirely useless unless suitable and ample ammunition is provided with which to destroy hostile fleets. I therefore earnestly recommend that Congress be asked to make appropriations to provide, in addition to the high-power guns, a suitable proportion of small-caliber rapid-fire guns, to constitute auxiliary batteries, and an ample amount of ammunition for the guns of all calibers in order to render them effective.

The Board of Ordnance and Fortification has during the past year made some important tests of war material and has developed the utility of new appliances. I heartily concur in its recommendation as to the importance of providing ammunition for the heavy batteries now established for the defense of our coasts.

While Congress has made ample provision for the management of military affairs in the organization of the Army, whereby the companies, regiments, brigades, divisions, and departments are made the units of administration, and by statute has clothed the officials not only with executive authority but with judicial powers and responsibility, yet the tendency has been to absorb and usurp the entire conduct of the military establishment in the city of Washington and especially in the staff departments. This has been found most injurious in other armies, and is one of the principal defects in our own system. The evil has been increasing during the activities of the wars of the last three years to an extent that, in my judgment, requires serious consideration, and I recommend that decentralization be effected as far as possible, and that all proper and lawful authority be restored to subordinate commanders who are provided with an efficient organization and who can be safely intrusted with responsibility for the efficient and faithful administration of military affairs commensurate with their important commands.

I again renew the recommendations I have made concerning the granting of commissions and discharge to meritorious noncommissioned officers after five years' service who are not eligible for a permanent appointment in the Army by reason of age or other causes, and who shall successfully pass a required examination, as an encouragement and just recognition of their merits and services.

I again call attention to the unhealthful and unsightly condition of the grounds on the west side of the city of Washington, adjacent to the Potomac River, known as the Potomac Flats, and renew the recommendation made in my last annual report, which is as follows:

There is needed in the immediate vicinity of the national capital suitable grounds for the encampment of regular troops whenever assembled, and for State troops when

WAR 1901-VOL 1, PT III- -2

occasionally required; and I call attention to the necessity for Congress to make the requisite appropriation for putting the ground near the capital, known as Potomac Flats, in suitable condition for such purpose and for such other purposes as may be required. Its condition now is most unsatisfactory and is a menace to the health of the people living at the national capital.

For many years there has been maintained a military garrison at Washington composed of light artillery and infantry or heavy artillery. The advisability of such a measure can not be questioned. Such a force should be within or near the national capital and not separated from it by a river, the crossing of which is liable to be rendered impossible. By a recent order a detachment of the Corps of Engineers has been directed to be stationed at Washington Barracks and all other troops removed. If this is to prevail, then I recommend that a suitable site be secured within a few miles of the city of Washington, and on the left bank of the Potomac, either within the District boundaries or in the State of Maryland, where a proper garrison of infantry and artillery can be maintained.

I invite attention to the reference in my last annual report to the heroic conduct of the Ninth United States Infantry at the battle of Tientsin, where the regiment, under its able commandeis, sustained severe loss. I recommend that ample recognition be given the officers and men engaged in that battle for their gallant services, especially Maj. Jesse M. Lee (now lieutenant-colonel Sixth Infantry), upon whom the command devolved after the death of Colonel Liscum. Colonel Lee's distinguished gallantry and ability on that occasion have been recognized by foreign officers present in that campaign, and he fully sustained the reputation he had maintained during the civil war and since.

During the past year attention has been given to the reestablishment and improvement of the service schools at Fort Monroe and Fort Riley, and it is expected that the one at Fort Leavenworth will soon be reestablished.

As a large portion of the Army has been stationed in the western portion of the United States, and over one-half of it is now occupied west of the Pacific Ocean, I recommend that a military school be established on the Pacific coast, preferably in southern California, similar in character to those above mentioned and suitable for the instruction of officers in the duties pertaining to the staff corps and departments, and the engineer, cavalry, artillery, and infantry arms of the service.

I also recommend the establishment of a war college at the seat of government in the city of Washington.

Very respectfully,

The SECRETARY OF WAR.

NELSON A. MILES,
Lieutenant-General.

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, October 15, 1901.

SIR: The following returns of the Regular Army and of the United States Volunteers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1901, are respectfully submitted:

A.-Strength of the Regular Army of the United States June 30, 1900, and June 30, 1901, with losses from all causes between those dates.

B. Strength of the Army, by divisions, departments, etc., between July 1, 1900, and June 30, 1901.

C.-Statement showing the monthly strength and losses from all causes in the armies of the United States between July 1, 1900, and June 30, 1901.

D.-Table showing the organization, service, and strength of the United States Volunteers, authorized by the act of March 2, 1899, with losses from all causes as shown by muster-out rolls.

E.-Deaths in the armies of the United States between July 1, 1900, and June 30, 1901.

F.-Dates of sailing and troops sent to Philippine Islands.

G.-Retirements, resignations, deaths, etc., among officers between October 1, 1900, and October 1, 1901.

In this table are included 4,336 men of the Hospital Corps and 25 officers and 815 men of the Porto Rico Provisional Regiment, leaving the strength of the Regular Army 3,253 officers and 76,084 enlisted

men.

In addition there are also in the Philippines 172 volunteer surgeons, appointed under section 18 of the act of February 2, 1901, and 73 officers and 4,973 native scouts.

The regiments in the Philippines will be reduced by the expiration of terms of enlistment as follows:

General Chaffee has been given instructions to assemble these men in Manila in sufficient time for them to be sent to San Francisco for discharge and final payment. They will come under command of officers returning from their commands on leave or otherwise. The question of the strength at which the regiments in the Philippines are to be maintained is one requiring the early consideration of the War Department. If to be kept at their present strength, it is time to begin special recruiting for them. The verbal instructions of the Secretary of War to have them reduced so as the strength of the entire Army shall not exceed 76,000 is being carried into effect and will be fully accomplished at an early date.

Deaths in the armies of the United States between July 1, 1900, and June 30, 1901.

a Four officers of the Regular Army who died also held commissions in the volunteer forces and are to avoid counting them twice, deducted from the aggregate.

Officers.

Enlisted

men.

ས

men.

The losses from all causes in the Regular Army and in the United States Volunteers from July 1, 1900, to June 30, 1901, were as follows:

a Four officers of the Regular Army who died also held commissions in the volunteer forces, in which they are included, and to avoid counting them twice that number is deducted from the aggregate.

The total number of troops that served in the Philippine Islands between June 30, 1898 (date of first arrival of United States troops), to June 30, 1901, was as follows:

The casualties from all causes in that country during the above period were as follows:

a The number of "Died of wounds" is included in the number of "Wounded.”