Statement showing the number and location of agencies where the Army and Navy pensions
are paid, together with the number of pensioners on the roll of each on the 30th June 1873.

Average rate of widows and dependent relations per month.

The average amount of each check given in payment is..

Amount of fees on vouchers received by all the agents during the fiscal year 1872-3..

* Agencies which pay also Navy pensions.

$30, 169, 341 00
29, 185, 289 62
7,419,328 83

8 04
10 38

31 50

254,803 ST

LETTER OF SECRETARY OF WAR AS TO THE ENGINEER BATTALION. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, January 17, 1874.

DEAR SIR: A rumor has reached me that a proposition to disband two companies of the battalion of engineers is now pending before your committee. If such is the fact, I desire, most earnestly, it will consider the following statements:

We have now but four officered companies of these troops, which have been reduced lately to a strength of eighty-three men each. There is also a skeleton organization of twenty men, without officers, called a company on paper. One of these four companies is at West Point, in accordance with section 4 of the law of May 15, 1846; the other three companies are at Willet's Point, N. Y., where the instruction of this class of troops in their peculiar duties is imparted, in conformity with the requirements of the law above quoted, and the number of men now there is as small as is compatible with their proper instruction.

They are thoroughly drilled in infantry tactics, and during the past four years have repeatedly served in the streets of New York and Brooklyn, under the general commanding the Department of the East, in the enforcement of the revenue laws and preventing election riots. They have served faithfully in the Mexican war and the war of the rebellion, as the battles inscribed on their colors and in the Army Register shows. They are a most intelligent and picked body of troops, and must be of this character for the performance of their special duties.

At this time in particular they are more needed than ever for the intelligent handling, planting, and working of torpedoes, which have risen so recently into an important branch of our defenses.

They are always available for service under the orders of the department commanders when the exigency for their use arises, and a telegram to the War Department furnishes them immediately, and has done so repeatedly.

At other times they should, in accordance with law and the custom of service, be engaged under my direction in their proper drill and spe cialty, which embraces all the duties of sapping, mining, pontoniering, and use of torpedoes, and should be no more or no less used on the plains against Indians than should the bulk of the artillery arm, or the fifteen and twenty iuch guns, or any other elements for the defense and care of fortified places. Especially at this time do I consider it will be a most decided detriment to the public interest to reduce the number of troops of this arm of service.

I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken in writing to you thus earnestly on this subject.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. W. BELKNAP,

Secretary of War.

Hon. JOHN COBURN, M. C.,

House of Representatives.

STATEMENT OF ADJUTANT-GENERAL AS TO NUMBER OF POSTS AND STATIONS OF THE ARMY.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, January 3, 1874.

SIR In compliance with your request of the 26th ultimo, I have the honor to transmit herewith a list of the military posts and stations of

the United States, now in existence, with the number of companies. composing their garrisons. I have also respectfully to inform you that under the act of Congress approved July 28, 1866, fixing the enlisted strength of the Army at 51,605, the average number of military posts garrisoned or in charge of ordnance-sergeants, was 456. Under the act of March 3, 1869, reducing the number of enlisted men to 35,036, the number of posts was 290.

The act of July 15, 1870, limited the enlisted force of the Army to 30,000 men. Under this law the number of posts is 237, as shown by the accompanying pamphlet.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Adjutant-General.

P. S.-Having already prepared the inclosed statement before the personal explanation made by Hon. Mr. Coburn, I inclose it with the other statements since collected.

Hon. JOHN COBURN, M. C.,

Chairman Committee on Military Affairs,

House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

List of the military posts and stations of the United States, with their garrisons; and also the stations of troops, by companies, January 1, 1874.

A.

On

Abercrombie, Fort, D. T. Lat. 46° 27', long. 96° 28'. Department of Dakota. the Red River of the North, 168 miles northwest of Saint Cloud, Minn., the nearest station on the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, whence supplies are transported by wagons. Reservation declared April 12, 1867. Reduced March 25, 1871, under act of February 24, 1871. Garrison, two companies infantry.

Adams, Fort, R. I. Lat. 41° 29', long. 71° 20'. Department of the East. On Brenton's Point, east side of the entrance to Newport Harbor. Land owned by the United States. Garrison, four companies artillery.

Alcatraz Island, Cal. Lat. 37° 49′ 27′′, long. 122° 24′ 19′′. In San Francisco Harbor. Reserved November 6, 1850. artillery.

Department of California.
Garrison, two companies

Allegheny Arsenal, Pa. Lat. 40 32', long. 80° 2. At Pittsburgh, Pa. Land owned by the United States. "Arsenal of construction." Garrison, detachment ordnauce. Andrew, Fort, Mass. Lat. 41° 37', long. 70° 40'. Department of the East. P. O. address: Plymouth, Mass. On Gwinet Point, north side of entrance to Plymouth Harbor. Lands deeded to the United States June 7, 1870. Garrison in charge ordnancesergeant.

Angel Island, Cal., (Camp Reynolds.) Lat. 37° 48', long. 122° 26'. Department of California. In San Francisco Harbor. Reserved November 6, 1850, and April 20, 1860. General recruiting depot for the Military Division of the Pacific. Garrison, one company infantry.

Apache, Camp, A. T. Lat. 34°, long. 109 45', (approximate.) Department of Arizona. P. O. address: via Fort Wingate, N. M. In the White Mountain country, about 60 miles north, 10° east, from Camp Goodwin, and bears from Zuni Village about south 34° west, and about 112 miles distant. Reservation not yet declared. Garrison, two companies cavalry and one company infantry.

Atlanta, Ga. Lat. 33° 48', long. 84 32'. Department of the South. companies infantry.

Garrison, seven

Augusta Arsenal, Ga. Lat. 33° 28', long. 81° 54'. At Augusta, Ga. Lands owned by the United States. "Arsenal of construction." Garrison, detachment of orduance. Austin, Tex. Lat. 30 15', long. 97° 47'. Department of Texas. Garrison, one

company infantry.

Abraham Lincoln, Fort, D. T. Garrison, six companies cavalry and three companies infantry.

B.

Baker, Camp, M. T. Lat. 47, long. 111~, (approximate.) Department of Dakota. It Smith's River Valley, near the junction of Camas Creek and Smith's River, about 1miles northeast of Diamond City. Reservation not yet declared. Garrison, one company infantry.

Barrancas, Fort, Fla. Lat. 30 19', long. 87° 16' 9". Department of the Sonth. In Pensacola Harbor. Reservation declared February 9, 1842. Garrison, three companies artillery.

Bascom, Fort, N. M. Lat. 35° 23′ 20′′, long. 103° 27′ 20′′. Department of the Missouri... On right bank of the Canadian River, 145 miles southeast of Fort Union, the nearest supply depot. On leased ground; no reservation. Garrison withdrawn, and public buildings left in charge of a small guard since October, 1870.

Baton Rouge Barracks, La. Lat. 30° 28', long. 91 18'. Department of Texas. At Baton Rouge, La. Lands owned by the United States. Garrison, three companies. infantry.

Bayard, Fort, N. M. Lat. 32 52, long. 108° 25′. Department of the Missouri. Neat Pinos Altos, 448 miles southwest of Fort Union, the nearest supply depot. Reservation declared April 19, 1869. Garrison, two companies cavalry and two companies infantry. Lat. 38° 3', long. 122° 8'. At Benicia, Cal. Land ceded to the Garrison, detachment ordnance.

Benicia Arsenal, Cal. United States in 1849.

Benicia Barracks, Cal.

Lat. 38° 3′, long, 122 8'. Department of California. At Benicia, Cal. Land ceded to the United States in 1849. Garrison, two companies cavalry.

Benton, Fort, M. T. Lat. 47° 50', long. 110° 30'. Department of Dakota. On the Missouri River, 1,915 miles, by river route, from Sioux City, Iowa, the present terminus of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad, and 620 miles, overland, froin Corinne, U. T.. the nearest station on the Union Pacific Railroad. Reservation declared December 1, 1869. Garrison, one company infantry.

Bidwell, Camp, Cal. Lat. 41° 51′ 14′′, long. 120 8′ 45′′. Department of California. At the north end of Surprise Valley, 215 miles north of Reno, Nevada, the nearest station on the Central Pacific Railroad. Reservation declared October 19, 1866; enlarged October 4, 1870; wood reserve declared February 7, 1871. Garrison, one company cavalry.

Bienvenue, Battery, La. Lat. 29° 58', long. 89° 50', (about.) P. O. address: via New Orleans, La. On the right bank of Bayou Bienvenue, near New Orleans, La. Reservation declared July 9, 1842. Garrison in charge of Engineer Department.

Big Cheyenne Agency, D. T. Department of Dakota. On the Missouri River, 15 miles above Fort Sully. Garrison, two companies infantry.

Bliss, Fort, Tex. Lat. 31° 46' 5", long. 106 21'. Department of Texas. On the Rio Grande, 3 miles northeast of El Paso. Ground rented by the United States. Garrison, one company infantry.

Boisé, Fort, I. T. Lat. 43° 37', long. 116 28'. Department of the Columbia. In the Boisé River Valley, about half a mile from Boisé City, and 245 miles from Kelton, the nearest station on the Central Pacific Railroad. Provisional reservation; not yet declared by the President. Garrison, one company infantry.

Bowie, Camp, A. T. Lat. 32° 15', long. 109° 30'. Department of Arizona. At Apache Pass, through which the road from Tucson to Mesilla runs, about 100 miles east of the former town. Reservation declared March 30, 1870. Garrison, one company cavalry and one company infantry.

Brady, Fort, Mich. Lat. 46° 39', long. 84° 43'. Department of the Lakes. At Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Reservation declared September 2, 1847. Garrison, two companies infantry.

Beaver City, U. T. Garrison, four companies infantry.

Bridger, Fort, Wyo. T. Lat. 41° 18' 12", long. 110 32 38". Department of the Platte. In the valley of Black's Fork, 10 miles south of Carter's Station, on the Union Pacific Railroad, whence supplies are transported by wagons. Reservation declared July 14, 1859; to be reduced under act of February 24, 1871. Garrison, three companies of infantry.

Brooke, Fort, Fla. Lat. 28°, long. 82° 28'. Department of the South. At Tampa. Fla. Survey ordered, with a view to the formal declaration of a reservation. Garrison in charge of Engineer Department.

Brown, Camp, Wyo. T. Lat. 43°, long. 109°. Department of the Platte. On the Shoshone Indian reservation in the Wind River Valley, 32 miles from Atlantic City. and 138 miles from Bryan, the nearest station on the Union Pacific Railroad, whence supplies are transported by wagons. Reservation not yet declared. Garrison, one company of cavalry and one company of infantry.

Brown, Fort, Tex. Lat. 25 53 16", long. 97° 29′ 15". Department of Texas. A Brownsville, Tex. Three hundred and fifty acres held and known as United States mili

vary reservation; title in litigation. Garrison, one company of cavalry and five companies of infantry.

Buford, Fort, D. T. Lat. 48, long. 104°. Department of Dakota. On the Missouri River, near the mouth of the Yellowstone, and 1,183 miles, by river route, from Sioux City, Iowa, the present terminus of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad. Reservation declared August 18, 1868. Garrison, six companies of infantry.

Beale's Springs, Camp, Ariz. T. Garrison, one company of infantry.

C.

Cape Disappointment, Fort, Wash. T. Lat. 46° 16' 32", long. 124 3 13. Department of the Columbia. At the mouth of the Columbia River, near Pacific City. Lands owned by the United States. Garrison, one company of artillery.

Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Lat. 40° 12′, long. 77° 14'. Department of the East. At Cardisle, Pa. Purchased by the United States in 1801. Garrison, detachment of recruits. Carroll, Fort, Md. Lat. 39° 15', long. 76° 35'. Department of the East. Post-office address: Baltimore, Md. On "Soller's Point Flats," in the Patapsco River, about eight miles below Baltimore City. Site ceded to the United States March 6, 1847. Garrison in charge of ordnance sergeant.

Department of the South.

Caswell, Fort, N. C. Lat. 34, long, 780. Department of the East. On Oak Island, at the mouth of Cape Fear River. Lands deeded to the United States October 12, 1825. Garrison in charge of ordnance sergeant. Charleston, S. C. Lat. 32 46', long. 79 57. three companies artillery. Chattanooga, Tenn. Lat. 35° 7', long. 85-18'. one company infantry. Chicago, Ill. Lat. 40° 52′ 20′′, long. 87° 35'. quarters Military Division of the Missouri.

Garrison,

Department of the South.
Department of the Missouri. Head-

Garrison,

Clark, Fort, Tex. Lat. 29° 17', long. 100 25'. Department of Texas. On the Las Moras River, 126 miles west of San Antonio, and 45 miles north of Fort Duncan. Built on leased ground. Garrison, ten companies cavalry; three companies infantry.

Clark's Point, Fort at, Mass. Lat. 41° 35' 32", long. 70° 53′ 43. Department of the East. At the extremity of Clark's Point, about 3 miles south of the city of New Bedford. P. O. address: via New Bedford, Mass. Lands deeded to the United States September 24, 1857. Garrison in charge ordnance sergeant.

Clinch, Fort, Fla. Lat. 30° 41', long. 81° 28'. Department of the South. P. O. address: via Fernandina, Fla. On Amelia Island, at the mouth of St. Mary's River, near Fernandina. Portion of the reservation declared by the President February 9, 1842; other portions deeded to the United States October 20, 1849, and July 9, 1850. Garrison in charge ordnance sergeant.

Columbia, S. C. Lat. 33° 57, long. 81° 7'. Department of the South. Garrison, six companies infantry.

Columbus Arsenal, Ohio. Lat. 39° 57', long. 83° 3'. At Columbus, Ohio. Lands owned by the United States. "Arsenal of construction." Garrison, detachment ord

nance.

Columbus, Fort, N. Y. Harbor. Lat. 46 42', long, 74° 9'. Department of the East. On Governor's Island. Lands ceded to the United States February 15, 1800. Depot general recruiting service. Garrison, general service recruits.

Colville, Fort, Wasb. T. Lat. 48 41, long. 117° 55'. Department of the Columbia. In the Colville Valley, about 35 miles south of the dividing line between the United States and British Columbia, and 14 miles east of the Columbia River. Post and wood reservations declared January 27, 1871. Garrison, one company infantry.

Concho, Fort, Tex. Lat. 32° 24', long. 101° 22. Department of Texas. At the junction of the Main and North Conchos, 100 miles northwest of Fort Mason. Built on private ground; steps taken to procure a lease. Garrison, four companies cavalry and two companies infantry.

Constitution, Fort, N. H. Lat. 430 4', long. 70° 49'. Department of the East. P. O. address: via Portsmouth, N. H. On right bank of entrance to the inner harbor of Portsmouth, three miles east of that city. Lands ceded to the United States February 14, 1791, and June 18, 1807. Garrison in charge of ordnance sergeant.

Craig, Fort, N. M. Lat. 33° 26', long, 107° 8'. Department of the Missouri. On the west bank of the Rio Grande, 280 miles from Fort Union, the nearest supply-depot. Reservation declared September 23, 1869. Site subsequently paid for by award of United States and Mexican Claims Commission, leaving the title in the United States. Garrison, one company infantry.

Cummings, Fort, N. M. Lat. 32° 27', long. 107° 35'. Department of the Missonri. At Cook's Spring, on the northeast side of Cook's Mountain, near the mouth of Cook's Cañon, 19 miles from the Miembres Village, and 416 miles from Fort Union, the nearest supply-depot. Reservation declared April 29, 1870. Garrison, detachment of infantry. Colfax, Grant Parish. La. Garrison, one company infantry.