Ecirgralt, _ i ~,,T.-rAIiA \ ,--;,..,- . f ,....0. ..----,--- - ' --, ...... - ..•: - 4 i r e _....„--- -1 pro,M6' -, ! i .......- 1 EMI OUR PLAPPORAL ME UNION-THE CONSTMITION-AND ENTORCEUENT OF THE LAW. BARRIHRTJRII Ilionday Afternoon, July 8, 180.1 THE PRESIDENT'S DIESS_4GE. The language of this message, while it assures the American people of the stability of the government under which they live, carries with it a firmness and inculcates a determination to test the powers of the government for self preservation, that cannot fail to have the hap piest effect alike on the minds of our own peo ple, and the sentiment abroad which has more or less influence on the crisis in which we are involved. The plain proposition whether this government is able to sustain itself, is stated with a practical terceness which at once con vinces the reader that the administration un derstands the true condition of affairs. The discussion of this proposition proves that there can be no such a result as secession without convulsing the Union, embroiling it in strife, and invoking all the force of any administra tion then in power, to maintain its own author ity, and thereby sustain the government and the Union. Mr. Lincoln seems to have caught the popular ideas in reference to the result of secession. He seems to appreciate every evil that is bound to originate from such a breaking up of the government, and thus imbued he could not have uttered any other sentiments, even had he essayed, than those which have already stamped his first message to Con gress as one of the most able and patri otic appeals that has yet been made in behalf of our country. In this connection, too, - we have added to the argument of the Presi dent against secession, the evidence that he is determined to bring against this rebellion other forces more effective than logic. When he asks for authority to call out four hundred thousand men, and borrow four hundred million of &d -ials, the people will at once understand that the President is determined to treat this at tempt to destroy the Union neither as a politi cal assumption that will of itself subside, or as the idle boast of ambitious men, but as a great grime carried on by desperate criminals, which can only be suppressed at the point of the bayo net. The Union must be preserved at all haz ards—its authorities must be sustained and en forced in all its limits—and the common law of the land, that has been so outrageously vio lated and annulled, must be re-asserted in the punishment of those who have engaged for the purpose of its total abrog-ation. lii this the country is with the President. The people es the loyal states are determined to recognize no adjustment as substantial or thorough, but that which also secures the fullest and most emphatic recognition and enforcement of the law. If this is not secured, the stability of our government is rendered still more uncertain in the fact that rebellion can organize and disband without incurring for its participants the punish ments which the law provides and inflicts on other criminals. By this time the message has been read by every loyal man in the country, with the ex ception, perhaps, of those who yet live in the seceded states, where the restrictions on the press will prevent its publication. Among those who read this document there can be but one opinion, and that must be in favor of the Executive who thus manfully and learnedly in terposes for the safety and vindication of his country. JUDICIOUS LEGISLATION. The proposition of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens in the House of Representatives, to abolish all the ports of entry in the seceded states, will strike a most effective blow at the rebellion. The proposition in the Senate, to disfranchise all the rebel leaders, is another wise and judi cious plan for the speedy suppression of the re volt, which the sword or the bayonet could scarcely as speedily achieve. In dealing with treason it is useless to go into discussion or compromises. It must be met with the full force of the law it seeks t.) destroy. It must be held accountable to the authority it plots to overthrow, and if this cannot be done, com promise or concession will only impart strength and vigor to that which they seek to mollify and appease. By abolishing the ports of entry in the seceded states, we do more than block ade can effect—we entirely cut off all chance of trade, and completely destroy the revenue of those who have no other source of depend ence in their rebellion. By disfranchising those who are prominent as leaders in the war against the government, we leave them no escape but Sight from the country. We fix the mark of the treason where it belongs, and stamp the traitors with an infamy that will deter those in the future who might otherwise forget them selves in an anxiety to emulate the example of traitors. —Those two propositions should bo enacted Into laws without the least delay. They are feasible and just in the purpose they have in view, and the influence they would have on the public mind in all parts of the country, cannot be too highly estimated. A DILL was introduced into Congress on Saturday, to increase the psy of the soldiers in the ranks• It is time that this was done—or at least it is time that the honors and emoluments of the service were graded, so as t.) give a fair share of both to those who are forced to face the le, do the work, and win the victories on weery battle field. THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF TAR. We lay before the readers of the TELEGRAPH this afternoon, the report of the Secretary of War, which, after the message of the President, is the most important document that has been submitted to Congress at its present extra ses sion. According to the report, the force now at the command of the government is 310,000 men, and after the discharge of the three months' volunteers, there will be a force of 230,000 officers and men, The increase in the regular army consists of one regiment of caval ry, one of artillery, and nine of infantry. The artillery contains twelve batteries, of six pieces each. The term of enlistment in the new regi ments is recommended by the Secretary to be I fixed at three years, and at the end of the term a bounty of one hundred dollars is further Ng posed to be given to every volunteer who is honorably discharged. The idea of taking one half of the officers it became necessary to ap point in the army from civilians and the other half from the army, originated with the Secre tary of War, and was sanctioned by the com mander-in-chief. In making the selection of officers it was necessary to make the appoint ments from the regular service by seniority or by selection. The objection to the first method was, that inefficient men might be promoted to piaces which ought to be filled by young and vigorous officers. The objection to the second was, that favoritism might prejudice the claims of worthy officers. It was therefore wisely de cided, under the advice of the general-in-chief, to appoint one half from the regular army and one half from civil life. Of the civilians ap pointed, as :•egimental commanders, all except one are either graduates of West Point or have served with distinction in the field. Secretary Cameron asks the sanction of Congress for these ' preliminary steps in the augmentation of the regular forces, and states that when at the close of the war a redaction of the present force is ' necessary, a sufficient one should be retained to protect all the public property wherever it may he found. The Secretary of War pays a handsome compliment to the volunteers of the country for the ardor with which they have come forward, devoting themselves and their resources to the service of the government in the hour of its peril. The appropriation re quired, in addition to that already made for the year ending Jane 80, 1861, for the force now in the field, is t 185,296,897. He recommends an appropriation for the reconstruction and equip ment of railroads and for the expense of main , tabling and operating them, and also for the construction of additional telegraph lines and their appurtenances. He urges the importance of enforcing the strictest discipline when active army operations are carried on in the rebellious states. He recommends the organization of a military tribunal to take cognizance of criminal offences and punish the guilty. The tribunal, however, is not to have jurisdiction if the func tions of the federal courts are uninterrupted. In regard to the subsistance of the troops, he urges the importance of more fresh meat and vegetables, and recommends, for the better pro tection of the men, waterproof capes and blan kets, and particularly urges . on Congress some provisions to be enacted into law, for the orga nization of a sanitary commission, the construe • lion of military hospitals, and the ge,4erq, Drp tection and care of the he& "—'soldier in 115=31 We ash for the report the careful perusal of our readers, as a document filled with impor tant information and statistics relating to the Ezza TRT CONVEXTWATWN OF TROOPS AT CAMP Ca= It is the intention of Gen. McCall to concen trate a large force hereafter at Camp Curtin, and also to take charge of such force and the camp, so as to promote the efficiency of the or ganization by the enforcement of the most rigid discipline in every particular among the officers and men. The idea of concentrating a large force in this vicinity is alike practical and judi cious as it will bring them thus under the eye and immediate control of Gen. McCall. From this locality, any of the points of operation now occupied by the army can be reached in a very short time, or our own borders on the west also covered by a movement from Camp Curtin in the shortest possible time. The concentration of this force will com mence at once, so that we may expect a large body of men in Camp Curtin in a very few days. Hay we not hope that Gen. McCall will insist on the most rigid discipline in the camp, and prevent, if possible, the recurrence of any of the conduct that has so disgraced the camp hereto fore, by the indulgence of a licentiousness and intemperance alike disgraceful to the men, the service and the country. 310 VEMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA TROOPS. In compliance with an order received from Gen. Scott, the two Pennsylvania regiments commanded respectively by Cols. Simmons and Biddle, at Camp 4lason and Dixon, marched into Maryland yesterday, and are now in possession of Cumberland. The march was in all respects important as well as tedious, and was effected in a manner highly creditable to the rank and file of both regiments. THE REVENUE LAWS. The Governor has appointed the following gentlemen as commissioners to revise the rev enue laws of the state : Gideon J. Ball, Erie county. Francis Jordan, Bedford county Charles Gilpin, t hiladelphia. These gentlemen will at once enter on the performance of the labor assigned them by the Governor. They are all men of great ability, as well as peculiarly fitted by experience and legal knowledge, faithfully to discharge the duty imposed upon them by their appointment. MESSRS. CHARLES HALLOWELL and H. R. Cog geshall, of Philadelphia; and Mr. Russell, of Pittsburg, a commission appointed by Governor Curtin, to visit the Pennsylvania regiments sta tioned in Washington city, and examine into their condition, have been in that city fo r sev eral days past, mid have made arrangements by which the men will be furnished with new cloth ing at an early day. Peurtopthartia laailp t clegrapt), alaubap 'Afternoon, 311Lp 8, 1861. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. WAIL DEPartratsn, Washington, July 1, 1861. Sra : I have the honor, to submit the follow ing report of the operations of this Department. The accompanying statements of the Adju tant General will show the number, descrip tion, and distribution of the troops which are now in service. It forms no part of the duty of this Depart ment to enter upon a discussion of the prelimi nary circumstances which have contributed to the present condition of public affairs. The secession ordinance of South Carolina was pass ed on the 20th of December last, and from that period until the majesty of the Government was made manifest, immediately after you had assumed the Chief Magistracy, the conspirators against its Constitution and laws have left noth ing undone to perpetuate the memory of their infamy. Revenue steamers have been deliber ately betrayed by their commanders, or, where treason could not be brought to consummate the defection, have been overpowered by the rebel troops at the command of disloyal Gover nors. The Government arsenals at Little Rock, Baton Rouge, Mount Vernon, Apalachicola, Augusta, Charleston, and Fayetteville, the ord nance depot at San Antonio, and all the other Government works in Texas, which served as the depots of immense stores of arms and am munition, have been surrendered by the com manders or Feized by disloyal hands. Forts Macon, Caswell, Johnson, Clinch, Pulaski, Jackson, Marion, Barrancas, McKee, Morgan, Gaines, Pike, Macomb, St. Philip , Livingston, Smith, and three at Charleston ; Oglethorpe Barracks, Barrancas Barracks, New Orleans Bar racks, Fort Jackson, on the Mississippi, the bat tery at Bienvenue, Dupree, and the works at Ship island, have been successively stolen from the Government or betrayed by their command ing officers. The custom houses at New Or leans, Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, and other important points, containing vast amounts of Government funds, have been treacherously ap propriat: dto sustain the cause of rebellion. In like manner, the branch mints at New Orleans, at Charlotte, and at Dahlonega, have been il legally seized, in defiance of every principle or common honesty and of honor. The violent seizure of the United States Marine Hospital at New Orleans was only wanting to complete the catalogue of crime. The inmates, who had been disabled by devotion to their country's service, and who there had been secured a grate ful asylum, were cruelly ordered to be removed, without the slightest provision being made for their support or comfort. In Texas, the large forces detailed upon the frontier for the protec tion of the inhabitants against the attacks of marauding Indians were ignuminously deserted by their commander, Brigadier Lieneral Twiggs. To the infamy of treason to his flag was added the crowning crime of deliberately, handing over to the armed enemies of his Governmen all the public property entrusted to his charge, thus even depriving the loyal men under hie command of all means of transportation out of the state. . A stLik.ing and honorable contrast with the recreant conduct of Brigadier General Twiggs, and other traitorous officers, has been presented in the heroic and truly self sacrificing course pursued by Major Robert Anderson, and the small and gallant band of officers and men un der his command at Fort Sumpter ; and also by Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer, his officers and men, at Fort Pickens. In referring, with strongest commendation, to the conduct of these brave soldiers, under the trying circum- stances which surrounded them, I only echo the unanimous voice of the American people. In this connection, it is a pleasurable duty to refer to the very gallant action of Lieutenant Roger Jones, at liarper's Ferry, and the hand some and successful manner in which he exe cuted the orders of the Government at that im portant post. The determination of the Government to use its utmost power to subdue the rebellion has been sustained by the unqualified an a iaro_Bl the whn't. _.„----,...-----------, ~,,, . vrw we - conspiracy have professed to regard the people of this country as incapable of making a forcible resistance to rebellion. The error of this conclusion is now being made manifest. History will record that men who, in ordinary times; were devoted solely to the arts of peace, were yet ready, on the instant, to rush to arms in defence of their rights, when assailed. At the present moment, the Government presents the striking anomaly of being embarrassed by the generous outpouring of volunteers to sus tain its action. Instead of laboring under the difficulty of monarchical governments, the want of men to fill its armies, (which, in other coun tries, has compelled a resort to forced conscrip tions,) one of its main difficulties is to keep down the proportions of the army, and to pre vent it from swelling beyond the actual force required. The commanding officers of the regiments in the volunteer service, both for the three months' service and for the war, have, in many instances, not yet furnished the department with the muster rolls of their regiments. For the want ' of these returns, it is impossible to present as accurate an enumeration of the volunteer force accepted and in the field as could be desired. Under the proclamation issued by you on the 15th of April last, the Governors of different States were called upon to detach from the mi litia under their command a certain quota, to serve as infantry or riflemen, for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged. The call so made amounted in the aggregate to ninety-four regiments, making 73,391 officers and men. Of the States called upon, the Gov ernors of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee. Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri peremptorily refused to comply with the requirements made by the department. All the other States promptly furnished the number required of tnem, except Maryland, whose Governor, tho' manifesting entire readiness to comply, was prevented from so doing by the outbreak at Baltimore. In the States of Virginia, Delaware, and Mis souri, notwithstanding the positive refusal of their executive officers to co-operate with the Government, patriotic citizens voluntarily united together, and organized regiments for the Government service. Delaware and Vir ginia furnished each a regiment, both of which are on duty in the field, In a similar patriotic spirit, the loyal people of Missonii raised a force of 11,445 officers and men, making, in round numbers, twelve organized regiments, to sus- 1 tain the Government and to put down rebellion in that State. And so, also, the citizens of the District of Columbia, emulating these honora ble examples, furnished no less than 2,828 offi cers and men, making in all four full regiments, all of which are yet in the field, doing active and efficient service. 'thus, notwithstanding the refusal of disloyal Governors to respond, the Government, instead of having been fur nished with only the number of troops called for under your proclamation of the 15 hof 1 Apiil last, has received, and has now in aervice, under that call, in round numbers, at least 1 eighty thousand. Under your second proclamation, of the 4th May last, calling for volunteers to serve during the war, there have b: en accepted up to this date 208 regiments. A number of other regi ments have been accepted, but on condition of being ready to be mustered into the service within a specified time, the limitation of which has, in some instances, not expired. It is not possible to state bow many of these may be ready befire the meeting of Congress. Of the regiments accepted, all are infantry and rifle men, with the exception of two battalions of artillery and four regiments of cavalry. A number of regiments mustered as infantry have, however, attiched to them one or more artillery companies, and there are also some regiments partly made up of companies of cav alry. Of the 208 regiments meted ter throe years, there are now 153 in active service ; and the remaining 55 are mostly ready, and all of them will be in the field within the next twen ty days. The total force now in the field may be com puted as follows : Regulars and volunteers for three months and for the war 235,000 Add to this 55 regiments of volunteers for the war, accepted and not yet in service 50,000 And new regiments of regular army Total force now at command of govern- ment 310,000 Deduct the three months' volunteers... 80,000 Force for service after the withdrawal of the three-months' men 230,000 It will thus be perceived that after the dis charge of the three-months' troops there will still be an available force of volunteers amount ing to 188,000, which, added to the regular army, will constitute a. total force of 230,00.1 officers and men. It will be for Congrers to de termine whether this army shall, at this time, be increased by the addition of a still larger volunteer force. The extraordinary exigencies which have call ' ed this great army into being have rendered necessary, also, a very considerable augmenta tion of the regular arm of the service. The demoralization of the regular army, caused by the treasonable conduct of many of its com manding officers, the distant posts at which the greater part of the troops were stationed, and the unexampled rapidity of the spread of the rebellion, convinced those high in command in the service, as well as this department, that an increase of the regular army was indispensable. The subject was accordingly brought to your attention, and after a careful examination, au increase was authorized by your proclamation issued on the 4th May last. This increase consists of one regiment of cav alry of twelve companies, numbering, in the maximum aggregate, 1189 officers and men ; one regiment of artillery of twelve batteries, of six pieces each, numbering, in the maximum aggregate, 1909 officers and men ; nine regi ments of infantry, each regiment containing three battalions of eight compnies each, num bering, in the maximum aggregate, 2452 offi cers and men, malting a maximum increase of infantry of 22,068 officers and men. In the enlistment of men to fill the addi tional regiments of the regular army, I would recommend that the term of enlistment be made three years, to correspond with the call of May 4th for volunteers ; and that to all who shall receive an honorable discharge at the close of their term of service, a bounty of one hun dred dollars shall be given. The mounted troops of the old army consist of five regiments, with a-maximum aggregate of 4460 men. Not more than one fourth. of these troops are available for service at the seat of war. At least two regiments of artillery are una vailable, being stationed on the western coas and in the Florida forts. The increase of infantry is comparatively large, but this arm of the service is that which the General-in-Chief recommended as being most efficient. The organization of the increased force, it will be nuticed, is different from that of the old army. This question was rally considered by officers of the army connected with this de partmeut, and after much deliberation it was concluded to adopt the French regimental sys tem of three battalions to a regiment. Each battalion is commended by a major, with a colonel and lieutenant colonel for the general command of the regiment. 'This, it is believed, is the best organization now existing. The number of field officers is less than under the old plan, and, therefore, much less expensive. Whether this organization may not advantage ously be extended to the old army, alter the passage of a law providing for a rm-r---2 Thst, i. the at- In making the selections of nffrrrana fnr the new regiments, two courses only seemed to be open—viz : to make the appointments from the regular service, by seniority or by selection. The first appeared liable to the grave objection that old and, in some instances, inefficient men would be promoted to places which ought to be filled by younger and more vigorous officers. The second was liable to the objection that fa voritism might prejudice the claims of worthy officers. After the fullest consideration, it was deter mined, under the advice of the General-in-Chief, to appoint one half of them from the regular army and the other half from civil life. Of the civilians appointed as regimental commanders, all except one, are either graduates of West Point or have before served with distinction in the field ; and of the lieutenant colonels, ma jors, captains, and first-lieutenants, a large pro portion have been taken from the regular ar my and the volunteers now in service, while the second lieutenants have been mainly creat ed by the promotion of meritorious sergeants from the regular service. In view of the urgent necessity of the case, these preliminary steps to the augmentation of the regular service have been taken, and it now remains for Congress should it sanction what has been commenced, to complete the work by such legislation as the subject may require. A similar increase of the army under like circum stances, was made in 1812. At the close of the war, the force in service being found too large and too costly for a peace establishment, a re 'duction was ordered to be made, under the su pervision of a board of officers, specially organ ized for the purpose. At the close of the present struggle the reduction of the present forces may be accomplished in like manner, if found then to be larger than *tie public necessities require. In making any such reduction, however, a just regard to the public interests would imperative ly require that a force amply sufficient to pro tect all the public property, wherever it may be found, should be retained. I c.nnot forbear to speak favorably of the volunteer system, as a substitute for a cum brous and dangerous standing army. It has, heretofore, by many been Chemed unreliable and inefficient in a sudden emergency ; but actual facts have proved the contrary. If it be urged that the enemies of order have gained some slight advantages at remote points, by reason of the absence of a sufficient regular force, the unexampled rapidity of concentration of volunteers already witnessed is an ample re futation of tee argument. A government whose every citizen stands ready to march to its de fence can never be overthrown ; for none is so strong as that whose foundations rest immo- , vably in the hearts of the people. The spectatie of more than a quarter of a million of citizens rushing to the field in de fence of the Constitution, must ever take rank among the most extraordinary facts of history. Its interest is vastly heightened by the lavish outpouring, from States and individuals, of vol untary contributions of money, reaching an ag gregate thus far of more than ten millions of dollars. But a few weeks since the men com posing this great army were pursuing the avo cations of peace. They gathered from the farm, from the workshop, from the factory, from the mine. The minister came from the pulpit, the merchant from his counting room, the professor and student from the college, the teacher and pupil from the common schools. Young men of fortune left luxurious homes for the tent and the camp. Native and foreign-born alike came forward with a kindred enthusiasm. That a well-disciplined, homogeneous, and efficient force should be formed out of such a seemingly heterogeneous mass appears almost incredible. But what is the actual fact? Experienced men, who have had ample opportunity to familiarize themselves with the condition of European ar mies, concede that, in point 01 p erwi a , this patriot army is fully equal to the finest regular troops of the Old. World. A more intelligent body of men, or one actuated by purer motives, was never before marshaled in the field. The calling forth of this large and admirable force in vindication of the Constitution and the laws is in strict accordance with a wise pru dence and economy, and at the same time in perfect harmony with the uniform practice of the Government. But three years ago, when the authority of the nation was contemptuous ly defied by the Mormons in Utah, the only safe policy consistent with the dignity of the Government was the prompt employment of such an overwhelming force for the suppression of the rebellion as removed all possibility of failure. It will hardly be credited, however, that the following language in relation to that period was penned by John B. Floyd, then Sec rotary of War, and now actively engaged in leading the rebel forces, who have even less to justify their acacia than the Mormons : "When a small force was first sent to Utah, the •Mormons attacked and destroyed their trains, and made ready for a general attack up on the column. When a eufticient power WAS put on foot to put success beyond. all doubt their bluster and bravado sank. into whispers of terror and submission. "This movement upon that Territory was de manded by the moral sentiment of the c3untry, was due to a vindication of its laws and Con stitution, and was essent al to demonstrate the power of the Federal Government to chastise insubordination and quell rebellion, however formidable from numbers or position it might seem to be. Adequate preparation and a prompt advance of the army was an act of mercy and nurnauity to those deluded people, fur it pre vented the effusion of blood." The reports of the chiefs of the different bu reaus of this department, which are herewith submitted, present the estimates of the probable amount of appropriations required, in addition to those already made for the year ending June 30, 18130, for the force now in the field, or which has been accepted and will be in service 25,000 75,000 within the next twenty days, as follows : Quartermaster's Department. —.570,289,200 21 Subsistance Department 27,278,781 60 Ordnance Department 7,468,172 00 Pay Department 68,402,690 Oh Adjutant General's Department. 408,000 00 Engineer Department .. 085,000 00 Topographical Engineer Depart ment 60,000 00 Surgeon General's Department. 1,271,841 00 Incidental and contintlent ex- penses of War Department... Due States which have made ad vance for troops Total The resistance to the passage of troops through the city of Baltimore, hastening to tue reliet of the Federal capital, and the destruction of bridges of the Wilmington and Baltimore, and the Northern Central railroads, together with the refusal of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company to transport the Govern ment forces and supplies, involved the neces sity, at an early stage of the present troubles, on the part of this Departmedt, to take possession of so much of the railway lines as was required to form a connection with the States front which troops and supplies were executed. A military route was accordingly opened from Perryville, on the Chespeake, by steamers, to Annapolis, and thence by railroad to Washington. In view of the necessities of the crisis, Congress, it is not doubted, will justify the steps taken. As the movemerdsof the Thaitsd States forces are continued, the supervision of railroad and ielegraph lines will remain a necessity to be met by the department. I would, therefore, recommend the propriety of an appropriation, to be made by Congress, to be applied, when the public exigencies demand, to the ieconstruc tiou and equipment of railroads, and for the reconstruction of the Long Bridge across the Potomac, which is now a military necessity. - a - ne importance of entorcing the stlictest dis cipline, where active army operations , ar ,, car ried on in the rebernoue tetates, cannot be too. p,,i.1 n. confidence is for the time being destroyed, and the nice moral dis tinctions which obtain among men in well-or dered communities are apt to be lost sight of. The Federal courts bang suspended, grave of fences may be committed over which our mili tary courts as now organized, have no author ized jurisdiction. It would seem only consist ent with a just regard to the interests of the Government and the people that some properly organized military tribunal should be empower ed to take cognizance of criminal offences, and to punish the offenders when found guilty. Such a tribunal should not have any jurisdic tion when the functions of the Federal courts are uninterrupted. I thereforereccmmend that the subject be referred to the consideration of Congress. The subsistence of the troops now in the ser vice is a matter of the highest importance. Rations, proper in quantity and quality, are quite as essential to the efficiency of an army as valor or discipline. It is desirable, there , fore, that the quantity of rations distributed to the troops should, as far as possible, be adopted to their previous dietary habits. - While it can not be expected that the luxuries to which many have been accustomed should be provided by the commissariat, a just regard to comfort and health imposes upon the Government the duty of furnishing sound, healthful and pala table food. A larger proportion of vegetables and of fresh me.fts, when they can be procured, than can now be furnished under the army re gulations, would undoubtedly diminish the danger of epidemics among the t:oops. I, therefore, submit the question whether it would not be expedient for Congress to enlarge the powers of the commissariat, so as to enable it the better to carry into practice the views here suggested. As all requisitions for camp equipage, for the means of its transportation, and for supplies, are made upon the Quartermaster General's Department, it is highly essential that every fa cility should be afforded its chief for meeting all stack requisitions with promptness. At present the power of that bureau is limited. For in stance, it seems very desirable that the troops in the field should be supplied with water-proof eves and blankets to serve as a protection against the effects of the climate. As the army regulations do not recognize such an item or clothing, and as no discretion has been lodged with the department tract in the matter, many of the troops, for the lack of this essential out fit, have suffered much, inconvenience. Some of the States of New englaud have sent their quotas forward equipped most admirably in this respect. I would recommend that this subject be commended to Congress for its favorable con sideration. The sudilen large increase of the army, in May last, induced the acting Surgeon General to call the attention of this department to the necessity of some modification cd the system of organization connected with the supervision of the hygeine and comfort of the troops. A com mission of inquiry and advice was accordingly instituted, with the object of acting in co-oper ation with the Medical Bureau. The follow ng gentlemen have consented to serve, without compensation, upon this commission : Henry W. Bellows, D. II; Prof. A. D. Bache, LL. D.; Prof. Jeffries Wyman Prof. Walcott Gibbs, M. D. ; W. H. Van Buren, M. D. ; Samuel G. Howe,M. D. ; R. C. Wood, Surgeon U. S. Army ' • George W. Cullum, U. S. Army, and Alexander E. Shims, U. S Army. They are now directing special in quiries in regard to the careful inspection of recruits and enlisted men, the best means of gu trang and restoring their health, and of securing the general com fort and efficiency of the troops, the proper provision of hospitals, nurses, cooks, ezc. The high character and well known attainments of -thesedistinguislact gentlemen afford ever-,ul surance that they will bring to bear upon the subjects of their investigation the ripest teach lags of sanitary science in its application to the details of military life. The organization Of military hospitals, and the method of obtaining and regulating whatever appertains to the cure, relief, or care of the disabled, as also the rep.. lations and routine through which the services of patriotic women are rendered available 'a nurses, was, at an early period of the pr , sent struggle, entrusted to the charge of Miss D. L. Dix, who volunteered her services, and is now, without remuneration, devoting her whole time to this important subject. The arms and ordnance supplied from our na tional armories, under the able superintendence of the Ordnance Bureau, compare most favora bly with the very best manufactured for foreign Governments. The celebrated Enfield so called, is a simple copy of the regular arm manufactured for many years at the Springfield armory. Previous to the early part of last year, the Government had a supply of arms and muni tions of war sufficient for any emergency ; but, through the bad faith of those entrusted with their guardianship, they were taken from their proper depositories, and distributed through portions of the country expected to take pa r t in the contemplated rebellion. In comequeLce of the serious loss thus sustained, there was available, at the commencement of the out ' break, a much less supply than usual of all kinds. But through the zeal and activity o f the Ordinance Bureau, the embarrassments urn, created has been in a g, eat measure overcome. As the capacity of the Government artuoi., was not equal to the supply needed, even alt.:: having doubled the force at the Springfield a.,- mory, the department found it absolutely 1 e cessary to procure arms to some extent from private manufacturers. It is believed that fi j a these sources they can be obtained equal k quality and not much higher in cost than times made in the national workshops. It would, therefore, appear a wise policy on the part o f the Government to encourage domestic indus try, by supplying our troops in part from pri vate factories of our own country, Instead of making purchases from abroad. As rifled cannon are, in point of effectiveness, far superior to smooth-bored, arrangements have been made to r fie a large portica, . I [l,, guns on hand, and the work is still in progress. Some pa riotic American citizens resident in Europe, fearing that the country might nut have a sufficient supply, purchased on their own responsibility, through co operation with the United States ministers to England and France, a number of improved cannon and muskets , and, at your instance, this department accepted this department accepted the drafts drawn tc defray the outlay thus assumed. A perfect bat tery of six Whitworth 12-pounder rifled can non, with three thousand rounds of ammo i tion the munificent donation of sympathizing friends in Europe, has also been received frot England. It will be necessary for Congress, either at it, approaching special or at its next annual r es sion to adopt measures for the reorganization, upon a uniform basis, of the militia of the country. I know of no better source of infor mation on this subject than the able report of General Henry Knox, the first Secretary of War, who, by his wise forecast and eminent ap preciation of the future wants of the country, showed the entire safety of an implicit reliancs upon the popular will for the support of the Government in the most trying emergency, abundant confirmation of which fact is find in the present great rally of the people to the I deence of the Constitution and laws. I have I already adverted to the superior manner in which some of the New England regiments, now in service, are equipped. This is to be at tributed to the efficient home organization of the militia in some of those States Their ex ample is an excellent one, and cannot fail to have a beneficial effect upon such States as have not already adopted a like desirable organiza tion. 82,300 00 10,000,000 00 185,935,884 7 T think it important, also, to recommend a . further &Amine= el improved arms among the militia of tee States and Territories. As the returns of the militia are frequently inac curate, this distribution should be made pro portionate to the latest census returns of free white male inhabitants capable of bearing arms. The large disaffection, at the present crisis, of United States army officers, has excited the most profound astonishment, and naturally provokes inquiry as to its cause. But for this startling defection, the rebellion never could have assumed formidable proportions. The mere accident of birth in a particular section, or the influence of a belief in particular political theories, furnish no satisfactory- explanation of this remarkable fact. The majority of these officers solicited and obtained a military educa tion at the hands of the Government—a mark of special favor, conferred by the laws of Con gress to only one in seventy thousands inhabi tants. At the National Military Academy they were received and treated as the adopted chil dren of the Republic. By the peculiar relations thus established, they virtually became bound, by more than ordinary obligations of honor, to remain faithful to their flag. The question may be asked, in view of the extraord nary treachery displayed, whether its promoting cause may not be traced to a radical defect iu the system of education itself? As a step preliminary to the consideration of this question, I would direct attention to the report, herewi.h submitted, of the Board of Visitors to the West Point Military Academy. The supplementary report makes a sped 1 re ference to the system of discipl ne, which, it appears from facts obtained mon investigation, gnores, practically, the essential dienuction between acts wrong in themselves, and acts wrong because prohibited by special regulations. the report states that no difference is made in the penalties affixed as punishments for either class of effences. It is argued with reason that such a system is directly calculated to confound in the mind of the pupil the distinctions Le tween right and wrong, and to substitute, in the decision of grave moral questions, h Ant sot conscience. I earnestly trust that Congress will early address itself to a thorough exeme nation of the system of education and discipline adopted in this important school, and, if de fects are found to exist that it will provide e remedy with the least puss ble delay. ehe present exigencies of the public service have necessarily imposed upon this depart:llw a vast increase of responsibility and labor. To facilitate its proper administration, I would re commend the passage of a law by Congreee authorizing the appointment of an Aesiamet Secretary of War, and the requisite additional appropriation for the employment of anincreastd clerical force. In concluding this report, I deem it proper to express my deep indebtedness to the veteran General-in-Chief of the army, for the c,onstaet and self sacrificingdevotion to the public servlce exhibited by him in this grave crisis ; and also to the chiefs of the different bureaus of this os partment, for the able and efficient manner re which they have at all times aided me an the discharge of my official duties. I have the honor to be, with high regard, your obedient servant, Smote Ceetazaox, Secretary of War. To the President of the United States. The following striking anecdote appears in an exchange paper, and places General Scott in a light still more to commend him to the honor and good will of all his countrymen. "The Rev. Dr. Bellows lately ventured to a. press to General Scott the hope and the belief that under his direction the war would be con ducted according to the principles of generous humanity. 'Humanity?' exclaimed the veter an, 'Christianity, Christianity, CHRISTIANITY, sir,' repeating the word three times in the mort em phatic atanner t a* he 'mg termini IA etAkir."
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