The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13

64O,637 2O,3S4 66O,97l
The appropriations asked for the service
of the next fiscal year are computed
for a force of 100000 men. They
have been reduced to the lowest possible
amount consistent with the public interests,
and are based upon strictly economical
administration of the various branches of
this department.
The appropriations to cover DEFICIENCIES
are rendered necessary by the excess of the
force in the field over that upon which the
estimates were founded, and by the extraor
binary expenditures connected with the em<
plovment and the discharge of the Qhree
months contingent.
An item of very heavy expense is the
large mounted force which has been organ
lied, equipped and made available since the
called session of Congress, and which was
not computed for in the estimate. While
an increase of cavalry was undoubtedly
necessary, it has reached numerical
strength more than adequate to the wants
of the service. AS it only can be main
tanned at great COST measures will be ia
ken for its gradual reduction.
In organizing our great army, | was
effectively aided by the loyal governors of
the different states, and | cheerfully ac
knowledge the prompt patriotism with
which they responded to the call OF this de-
partment.
Congress during its extra session, author
lied the army to be increased by the accepS
lance of volunteer force of 100000 men,
and made an appropriation of five hundred
millions of dollars for its support. A call
for the troops was Immediately made but
so numerous were the offers that it was
found difficult to discriminate in the choice,
where the patriotism of the people demand
ed that there should be no restriction upon
enlistments. Every portion of the loyal
states desired to swell the army, and every
community was anxious that it should be
represented in a cause that appealed to the
noblest impulses of our people.
So thoroughly aroused was the nation
al heart, that | have no doubt this force
would have been swollen to million, had
no: the department felt compelled to re-
strict it, in the absence of authority from the
representatives of the people to increase the
limited number. twill be for Congress to de-
eide whether the army snail be further aug
mented, with view to more speedy termi-
nation of the war, or whether it shall be con-
fined to the strength already fixed by law.
In the latter case, with the object of reduc-
ing the volunteer force to 100000, pro-
pose with the consent of Congress, to con-
solidate such of the regiments as may from
time to time fall below the regulation stan.
dard. The adoption of this measure will
he how of of, md
tionally diminish the expenses of the army.
1t is said of Napoleon by Jomini, that in
the campaign of 1914, that great General
on the first of April had regular army of
100000 men. On the LIST of June he had
increased this force to 4l4,000. The pro
portion adds Jomini, had be thought pro-
per to inaugurate vast system of defence,
would have raised it to 100000 men by the
lst OF september" At the commencement
of this rebellion, inaugurated by the attack
upon Fort Sumpter, the entire military
force at the disposal Of this department was
10000 regulars, principally EMPLOYED in the
west to hold in check marauding Indians.
In April, $4,000 volunteers were called upon
to enlist for three months service and re-
sponded with such alacrity that 1885
were Immediately obtained. Under the
authority of the act of Congress of july
%, 1861, the States were asked to furnish
100000 volunteers to serve for three years,
or during the war and by the act approv-
ed the 29th of the same month, the addi-
zion of $4,000 men to the regular army of
the Uuited States was authorized. The
result is, that we have now an aamy of up
wards of 100000 men. If we add to this
the number of discharged three months
volunteers, tie aggregate force furnished to
the government since lst April exceeds
100000 men.