American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-18

and 5 200 mounted men, is to be at once organ
lied, received into service, and kept therein
until the end of the next fiscal year-to wit:
to the 30th Of June, 1877. The estimates are
made for an army of over 700 men, mostly
operating in the field in an enemyS country,
deriving their supplies principally from the u
nited States.
How long it will be before the regular army
can be filled up to the extent authorized by law
will depend upon success in recruiting. It's
numbers as yet do not much exceed one half its
maximum. 1t is hoped that in few months
the ranks will be nearly filed its average total
number through the next fiscal year will not
probably exceed IL 800.
The number Of volunteers actually called for
immediate service, by Virtue of your orders un-
der the act of 18th of May last, will amount
to about Is 900, and whether greater number
will or will not be required for the ensuing cam
paign cannot now be determined Should the
number already called for be deemed sufficient
for the successful prosecution Of the war, the
estimates being made on a basis exceeding that
number by seven thousand, will be found pro-
portonaby too large.
Should these views as to the extent Of the
regular and volunteer force be realized, the al
my will not exceed $4,000 men; and all or near
ly all the estimates presented herewith might be
reduced one-fourth III amount; yet it is mpos
sible to ioresee the exigencies 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 liberty
to make any reductions of the estimates pre-
scented by the several branches of this depart
ment.
take the liberty to direct your particular
attention to the estimates of the quartermas-
ter general. You will perceive they are large
very large, and hope much exceed the expen-
ditures which may be required. They are
made on the suppositlon that our army will
penetrate far into the interior of the enemy's
country, and that all supplies, and munitions
will necessarily be transported on long lines
and those far from being easily travered.-
Should the enemy's country abound i'll forage,
the expense of transportation will be greatly
reduced; but the uncertainty as to the country
to be invaded, and the still greater uncertainty
as to its resources, DO not warrant deductions
to be made on the estimated items for cup
plies, and the transportation Of them TO pla-
ces where they may be needed. Should the
navigation of the Rio Grande be found prac-
ticable for steamboats, of light draught to Car
mayo, or above, much will be saved probably
by the use of that river, yet considerable sums
must be expended in the purchase of boats,
&c.
It is further to be observed that no inconsid-
cradle amount of the expenses which will fall
on the quartermaster's department, is in the
nature Of an outfit, and would not be required
TO be repeated should the war be protracted be-
| yond the next fiscal year. The estimates in
the quartermaster's department are made with
out much regard 10 the chances favorable to
diminished expenses. Provision had not beer
made (for the restricted appropriations in past
years would not permit it TO be made) for a
sudden augmentation of our force to four times
its usual amount. The necessity of making
such provision on the shortest notice will
greatly increase the cost of it, and this falls
mainly on the quartermaster's department. It
is hoped that the actual expenses of this branch
of the service will fall some two or three mil
| lions short of the full estimates here presented,
| yet this is not so certain as to authorize the de-
paltment to cut them down in that amount.
| am, with great respect,
Your obedieut servant,
w. l.. MARCY.