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Browsing named entities in a specific section of Varina Davis, Jefferson Davis: Ex-President of the Confederate States of America, A Memoir by his Wife, Volume 1. Search the whole document.

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El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois (Illinois, United States) (search for this): chapter 34
constantly employed, had been unusually successful in protecting the inhabitants of the frontier; that Indian depredations had been infrequent; that new posts were being established, west of the Mississippi, for the protection of emigration across the plains; that in Texas, Indian hostilities had diminished both in frequency and importance; that permanent positions on the Rio Grande, the boundary between Mexico and the United States, had been strengthened, especially a strong post opposite El Paso; that it was in contemplation to establish a large post at the point where the great trail of the Comanches crossed the Rio Grande; that other dispositions for the control of the Indian in Northern Texas were in progress, so as to entirely prevent Indian depredations. As small posts had been proven to be injurious to discipline, instruction, and efficiency, and to invite aggression, it was the intention of the Department to post troops, in large bodies, at commanding positions among the I
West Point (Georgia, United States) (search for this): chapter 34
ts of troops in barracks; and for the distribution of United States arms to the several States according to Congressional representation instead of in proportion to the number of militia in each. He drew attention to the need of supply of the militia of the country with the proper books of tactical instruction, and recommended that an annual appropriation of $20,000 for a few years should be made for the purpose. He recommended the increase of the academic term at the Military Academy at West Point to five years, and again called attention to the exposed and defenceless condition of the Pacific coast. The Secretary also recommended that power be given the President to attach non-commissioned officers who distinguished themselves in the war with Mexico, by brevet of the lowest rank, to any company, and to bestow certificates of merit upon soldiers who were in like manner distinguished; also to grant certificates of merit to distinguished non-commissioned officers who were not cons
Washington (United States) (search for this): chapter 34
bservations. It is well known that the magnetic needle has an irregular and sometimes fitful variation, amounting to a difference of eighteen degrees between Washington City and the Western coast of Oregon, and the law by which this variation is increased or diminished had not yet been ascertained. The meteorology of the countrs, detailed by the Secretary for the purpose. The War Department was also intrusted with the work of bringing an adequate supply of water into the city of Washington. It was necessary to bring this supply from the great Falls of the Potomac through a conduit nine feet in diameter. The work was energetically prosecuted, andg nearly seventy million gallons of water, at an elevation of fourteen feet above the upper floor of the Capitol. A splendid stone aqueduct, a few miles from Washington, built during Mr. Davis's term as Secretary of War, still remains a monument to his earnest labors for the benefit of the Capitol. It is known as Cabin John Br
California (California, United States) (search for this): chapter 34
the actual loss, independent of discharges by expiration of service, had been twenty-three and three-fourths per cent. of the actual strength of the army. Since the close of the war with Mexico the excess of the legal over the actual strength of the army had been nineteen per cent., and the average losses from all causes twenty-eight per cent. Desertions gave sixteen per cent.; but a part of the percentage of the desertions was due to the excitement on account of the discovery of gold in California--the excess from that cause, in one year alone, being fifty-three per cent. over the average of the three succeeding years. An analysis of the desertions from 1826 to 1846 shows that there was a gradual diminution in the proportion of desertions as the condition of the soldier was ameliorated by increase of pay, etc.; and that when the difference between the pay of the soldier and the value of the corresponding class of labor in civil life was slight, desertions were comparatively infr
Texas (Texas, United States) (search for this): chapter 34
ndian depredations had been infrequent; that new posts were being established, west of the Mississippi, for the protection of emigration across the plains; that in Texas, Indian hostilities had diminished both in frequency and importance; that permanent positions on the Rio Grande, the boundary between Mexico and the United States,to establish a large post at the point where the great trail of the Comanches crossed the Rio Grande; that other dispositions for the control of the Indian in Northern Texas were in progress, so as to entirely prevent Indian depredations. As small posts had been proven to be injurious to discipline, instruction, and efficiency, aot be likely to engage in hostilities if their families are in the power of the troops in their absence. He urged that armament for the most important points in Texas and the Pacific coast should be forwarded at the earliest practicable period, and that there should also be sent to the Pacific coast, and stored at suitable point
Oregon (Oregon, United States) (search for this): chapter 34
he astronomical observations were indispensable to fix the geographical position of the principal points of the route, and for improving the map of our Western possessions. The magnetic observations were of importance in accurately tracing the line between the points determined by astronomical observations. It is well known that the magnetic needle has an irregular and sometimes fitful variation, amounting to a difference of eighteen degrees between Washington City and the Western coast of Oregon, and the law by which this variation is increased or diminished had not yet been ascertained. The meteorology of the country has a direct bearing on the question of the construction of a railway. The probable amount of snow should be ascertained and this depends on the temperature and humidity of the place. It was therefore deemed proper that the hygrometrical state of the atmosphere should be measured by suitable instruments, and the mean temperature ascertained by thermometrical obs
Pacific Ocean (search for this): chapter 34
the lowest rank, to any company, and to bestow certificates of merit upon soldiers who were in like manner distinguished; also to grant certificates of merit to distinguished non-commissioned officers who were not considered eligible for the position of commissioned officers. He also made a full and lucid statement of the explorations that had been made, and were making, in order to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, describing the character of the country and the difficulties to be overcome. Copies of the instructions given to the explorers of the War Department were appended to the report. From these it appears that the officers were directed to observe and note all the objects and phenomena that had an immediate or might have a remote bearing upon the railroad, or which might serve to develop the resources and make known the peculiarities and climate of the country. For this purpose they were
Capitol (Utah, United States) (search for this): chapter 34
litary works at the expense of the North and West. No single act of Mr. Davis in office shows the faintest trace of any desire to take advantage of the power entrusted to him for any sectional aggrandizement. Representing in his office the entire Union of States, he was equally mindful and watchful of the interests and rights of every section of it. Under the supervision of the War Department, also during this first year of Mr. Davis's administration, the work for the extension of the capitol was energetically prosecuted, under the special charge of Captain M. C. Meigs, of the Corps of Engineers, detailed by the Secretary for the purpose. The War Department was also intrusted with the work of bringing an adequate supply of water into the city of Washington. It was necessary to bring this supply from the great Falls of the Potomac through a conduit nine feet in diameter. The work was energetically prosecuted, and when finished was found capable of delivering nearly seventy
Mexico (Mexico, Mexico) (search for this): chapter 34
th in frequency and importance; that permanent positions on the Rio Grande, the boundary between Mexico and the United States, had been strengthened, especially a strong post opposite El Paso; that itpay it was not expected to obtain them. He showed that from 1826 to the opening of the war with Mexico, the average excess of the legal over the actual strength of the army was eighteen per cent. of and three-fourths per cent. of the actual strength of the army. Since the close of the war with Mexico the excess of the legal over the actual strength of the army had been nineteen per cent., and te last four years, being only seventeen per cent., while, in the three years before the war with Mexico it was twenty-five per cent. of the number of discharges by the expiration of service. Thesen the President to attach non-commissioned officers who distinguished themselves in the war with Mexico, by brevet of the lowest rank, to any company, and to bestow certificates of merit upon soldiers
Mississippi (United States) (search for this): chapter 34
th Mexico, by brevet of the lowest rank, to any company, and to bestow certificates of merit upon soldiers who were in like manner distinguished; also to grant certificates of merit to distinguished non-commissioned officers who were not considered eligible for the position of commissioned officers. He also made a full and lucid statement of the explorations that had been made, and were making, in order to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, describing the character of the country and the difficulties to be overcome. Copies of the instructions given to the explorers of the War Department were appended to the report. From these it appears that the officers were directed to observe and note all the objects and phenomena that had an immediate or might have a remote bearing upon the railroad, or which might serve to develop the resources and make known the peculiarities and climate of the country. For
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