The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-18
seeretary OF wars Report.

secretary OIL Whrs neports
There is good deal of tact and ability in this
report. 1t is evident, that the Secretary knows
how TO handle his pen, and understands how
to make a strong case. His report is certainly
an able one.
Naturally we look to this report to see what is
to be done in the future Us regards Mexico
The past we know. But the future what Of
THAR How are we to conduct or carry on the
war hereafter.
The Secretary Of War says
Our further operations must, in my opinion,
be conducted in one of tn. three following
modes: LIST. To take and hold an Indemnity
line; 10 recede from all places and positions
now occupied in advance Of 1t, and cease from
all aggressive operations beyond that line
IDLY. To overrun the whole country, and hold
all the principal places in il by permanent gar
risons. 3rdly. To retain what we now possess,
open the lines Of communication into tho inte-
rior and extend our operations 10 other mpor-
tant places, as our means and the prospect Of ad-
vantage shall Misunderstanding a disposable
force always ready, within apProachAble linn
its, 10 annoy the enemy, to seize supplies, en-
force contributions, and Illustrate his efforts TO
collect means and assemble troops for the pur-
pose of prOtracting the war.
The first, or line policy, Mr.. Marcy objects
to. He thinks IL cannot he acted upon safely, or
effectively. Ii will not lead to peace, and must
thwart the very object We desire to accomplish.
The second, occupying the iuhsIs country, the
Secretary regards almost an impossibiIity. 1t
could only be cone at an enormous expense,
and by an enormous army. He puts Gown the
men required at sEvENrr-rHsUsAND! Hear
HIM
Our posts must therefore he strong, and our
forces numerous, in order to secure the many
and long lines Of communication, TO disperss
and shastise the guerrilla bands which would
obstruct them, aad to suppress the mora power
full uprising Of the people wherever they may
be attempted. cannot ssfely estimate the
force requisite to carry into full effect tbs plan,
at less than seventy Thousand men To insure
the presence of that number in the enemy's
country, at places where they would be wanted,
IL would be necessary TO raise much larger
force. The great expense Of raising, srganir-
ing, and sending TO their remote destination 80
large body Of troops as soon as needed to give
effect to this plan, weuld, | apprehend, bring
very heavy, and perhaps embarrassing, demand
upon the treasury.
The third mode, ret0ising ,Ohat zoe possess,
the Secretary prefers. This he defends thus
The third mode presented is, in my judgment,
preferable TO the others Beyond certain limits,
il admits of expansion and contraction; but as a
fixed condition. all now held Is TO he retained,
and no part surrendered, but in compliance with
treaty stipulations. This plan also coniem-
plates further acquisitions extending te other
important points, more or less numerous, as cir
cumstances may warraat
The question, 10, how many troops are neces-
sary for this end7 This question the Secretary
answers. Thus does he arrange them:
Rsgulars-25 reg,Inents-(of Infantry l6; Ar
tillsry a; Dragons 3; Rihemen 1; yolt,geurs
I'D now in service, 1883
Volunteers--23 regiments; Battal-
ions, and 80 companies-in service, 10000
-----
Total, Al 1888
Forty-one thousand! We have not that num-
Der in the field. By the fate of war, AMI the
fatal effects of climate, our army il ot set
down any where over $4,000, efficient men. The
South Carolina regiment, for instance, has not
one hundred. The Louisiana little over that
number. Nor has Government been able to fill
up their ranks. Hence Mr.. Marcy remarks:
Attempts have been made, under the act pass
cd at the last session of Congress, TO sIgage
volunteers to fill up the companies in service, and
officers have been detached from their commando
for that purpose. These efforts have not been
successful; only eight hundred and twsnty-on
have been procured One of the disadva ant ges
attending these attempts has been the want Of
authority to place them ON the same footing IN
respect to compensation az recruits for the regu-
lar army.
To effect this object the Secretary proposes
that Congress shall equaize them.
Two things he Presses---first, to fill up the
ranks Of the regular army, and of the volunteer
ranks during the war This will present the
following result:
Regulars. 2s,sI4
Volunteers, 24.OtD0
Total, 52.sla
So that to maintain eur present ground. In