The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-16
WAR DEPARTMENT.

washington, June ID, 1876,
Sin: have the honor herewith 10 submit TO YOU
the estimates which have been made at this depart
ment 10 enable you to the resolution Of the
Senate of the Sd instant, requesting to be furnished
with estimate of the amount of money required
during the present and next fiscal year for such a
prosecution of the existing war with Mexico as
will most likely result IN It's speedy and honorable
termination.
These estimates made upon the assumption
that the regular army will soon be filled up TO its
maximum, which will amount to is, 500 men, and
that volunteer force of 1000 foot, and 5000
mounted men, is TO be at once organized, received
into service, and kept therein until the end Of the
next fiscal year-to wit: to the 30th of June lS47.
The estimates made for an army of over 40 900
men, mostly operating in the field, in an enemy's
country, deriving their supplies principally from
the United States.
How long it will be before the regular army can
be filed up TO the extent authorized by law viii
depend upon success IN recruiting. Its numbers
yet do not much exceed one half its maximum Ii is
hoped that in few months the ranks will be nearly
filled; its average total number through the next
fiscal year will not probably exceed 49,
The number Of volunteers actually called for i'm
mediate service, by virtue Of your orders under the
act Of 18th Of May last, will amount to about Ia, 900
and whether greater number will will not be re-
qured for the ensuing campaign cannot now be de-
tern, ned Should the number already called for be
deemed SIN, cient for the successful prosecution OF
the war The est,u,' ties being made on a basis ex-
ceeding that number by '''on 'hou'ahu' VIII oe
found proportIonably too large.
Should these views as TO the exten. oi 'he regular
and volunteer force be realized, the army WIN MOI
exceed 30 900 men; and all nearly all the estimases
presented herewith might be reduced one fourth IN
AMOUNT yet it is impossible to foresee the exigen
cies of the service. 1t may require the full amount
OF the force on which the estimates have been made
and even more; and have not therefore felt at lib
erty TO make any reductions Of the estimates pre-
sented by the several branches of this department.
take the liberty to direct your particular atten-
ton to the estimates Of the quartermastef general
You will perceive that they are large, very large
and hope much exceed the expenditures which
may be required. They are made on the suppo-
stlon that our army will penetrate far into the inte
rior of the enemy's country, and that all supplies
and the munitions of war will necessarily be trans
ported on long lines and those far from being easily
traversed. Should the enemy's country abound in
forage, the expense Of transportation will be greatly
reduced but the uncertainty TO the country to lie
invaded, and the still greater uncertainty to its
resources, do not war ant deductions to be made
the estimated items for supplies, and the transport
tation Of them to the places where they may be
needed. Should the navigation of the Rio Grande
be found practicable for steamboats, of light draugh
to Camargo, or above much will be saved probably
by the of that river, yet considerable must
be expended in the purchase Of boats, &c.
III ID ufther 10 NC observed that no lnconsuerapie
amount of the expenses which will fall on the quar-
termaster's department, in the nature of an outfit
and would not be required to be repeated should the
war be protracted beyond the next fiscal year.
The estimates in the quartermaster's department
made without much regard to the chances favor
able to diminished expenses. Provision had not
been made (for the restricted appropriations in past
years would not permit it to be made) for sudden
augmentation of our force to four times its usual
amount The necessity of making such provision
the shortest notice will greatly increase the cost Of
it, and this falls mainly the quartermasters depart
ment 1t is hoped that the actual expenses of this
branch of the service will fall some two three mil
lions short ofthe full estimates here presented yet
this is not certain to authorize the department
to cut them down in that amount.
am, with great respect,
Your obedient servant
w. l.. MARCY.
To the PRESIDENT.