Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-08-06
0nr Standing Army.


land the most erroneous ideas prevail in relation to
the military strength Of this country. An oplhion -
prevalent that standing army being so small Iof
the first two three years OF war WIN any Po".s
full nation we should suffer defeat after defeat; ana
that consequently il would be madness for us TO en-
gage in war, at least with any strong European
power.
The events of the last two months have shown con-
elusively that this opinion IS IN TACT founoee ~
rance Of our real strength and resources and that ine
first speck Of war on our horizon IS sufficient 10 cal
forth into full play all the energies of the American
people.
This erroneous impression arises from the TACT
that our standing army does not amount TO over
5000 men, The people of Europe are not aware
that this force forms but the nucleus OF an army OF
citizen soldiers that can be numbered by the millions
and how much may regret the occasion OF
the Mexican war, yet II may be considered as not
altogether unfortunate. indicating what force the
United States can bring into the field on so short
notice.
Wien the requsition for troops was first made upon
the Governor of Louisiana, 1t imagined that 1t
would be necessary resort to draft to procure the
requisite number At that time the people OF Louis
lana did no, believe in the existence of war with the
| Mexicans. They had such contemPtuous opinion
of their army that they thought the handful OF men
in Gen. Taylors camp amply sufficient TO maintain
the occupation of the Rio Grande, as they had no
expectation that the Mexcans would attempt offensive
measures But no sooner it known that it was
no sham war, and that they would have an opPortu-
nifty of meeting tie enemy, than thousands volun-
teered their services not only in Louisiana, but all
over the country. Tie number required by the Pre-
sideDt from the several States is fifty thousand and
more than double that number, according to the best
1 calculation have already volunteered.
/ In Louisiana nearly thousand mounted gun-men,
who bad volunteered have been disbanded there is
no need of their services The State has already sent
six regiments TO the scat of war, and of those, two
were mustered in two weeks.
In Alabama several companies more than were
volunteered their services, and the order TO
remain at home caused great deal of disappoint-
ment among them. The State will probably have sent
between two and three thousand TO the seat Of war
Tn Mississippi more volunteer companies have been
raised than can be mustered into service. 1t will
probably send two thousand men to the field.
In Tennessee double as many men have volunteered
were required Gil up the quota demanded Of the
State. In division of the State, thirteen compa-
MES rendered their services when only three were
wanted, and the choice had to be made by ballot;
those who so fortunate to be chosen receiving
the announcement with shouts Of JOY.
In Kentucky the two regiments required by the
government were filed up BY the 18th Of May, and
The Governor was obliged TO issue his proclamation
TO put stop to the volunteering The greatent dis
appointment prevails among those who were not
tered into service. Ten thousand men could have
been mustered in Kentucky in a few days, if
sary, of troops at not surpassed ty any in the
world.
In Missouri the complement called for was in pro-
gress of formation. the only difficulty being to choose
from the numbers Offering themselves. One thousand
mounted men required for descent Santa
Fe and by the last accounts there than half
that number mustered.
This is the spirit that prevails over the entire
Western country. Several Members of Congress
have left tie seat of government and started for the
West, to enrol men and proceed to Mexico. Ohio,
the greatest abolition State in the Union, was the first
TO Gil up the complement called for by The President
and the spirit prevails among the New England
States, that most violently opposed TO the
alton Of Texas New York and the Atlantic States
pouring oulhousands and tens of thousands, and
II there are many companies that will not be restrained
from going to the scene of action, whether their SER
vices are accepted by government or not.
These volunteers are fitted TO make excellent sol
diers They are well drilled and disciplined and they
have, withal, national and State pride, that Will
make them efficient troops any in the world.
When men In flourishing business, upon the first
indication that their services needed by their
country sell out their stock, equip themselves for
81 campaign, and enlist soldiers, has hap
pened in many instances, they must be acuated by
some motive stronger than the desire 10 appear in
regimentas- Such men, fighting for their country,
are worth hundreds of mercenory troops.
The citizens of foreign birth have not been at ali
inferior in ardor and patriotism to the natives OF the
soil. In Ohio there is entire regiment Of Ger
mans, numbering about 900 men, and in every State
IN the Union, the Irish and German companies are
among the first offer their services. There is no
doubt as the efficiency of these foreign companies
Their national pride. well their devotion TO
e their adopted country, will make them signalize
themselves in the feed and indeed they have always
done So
From present appearances, if the muster were TO
continue could in six months, bring into the field
available force of 100 600 men, and of such troops
as for valor, discipline and endurance, will compare
4 with any in the world. This is army greater than
Eastern monarchs brought into the field, and
that could withstand the combined armies of all Eu-
rope. This force could be increased from time time
4 to any extent Such army actuated by feelings of
patriotism and the desire Of glory and witha brave
i and intelligent, would be such sight the world
;. has never seen.
But we trust the day that would call together such
force is far distant The best policy of every
{ try is peace, and hope that the harmonious rea-
tons that exist between this country and all the
nations of Europe will long remain undsturbed. In
Decd there is every indication at present of lasting
peace but we deem IT, nevertheless well to show what
the United States capable Of should any occasion
arise to call forth the latent energies Of the nation.
Our present brush with Mexico is a slight indication
q of what those energies when called into play.
-
:. A MEXICAN SOLDIERS BURIAL correspondent
of the Picayune thus sketches funeral be witnessed
at Matamoras
'The Mexicans gave US sample yesterday of The
manner IN which they bury their dead soldiers 1t
It must, IN justice TO them, however, be remembered,
that this occurred in captured city, where they are
b not allowed to their arms. The dead man was
: brought out of hospital in a long wooden box, COW