Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-14

i 1 ne uEUhLNa AnL NLAAH ms AA4tN4 NV -"-~-
numerous establishments for their mauuiactur'
] throughout the loyal portion of the country, ant
Il has been the policy of this department 20 en-
! courage the development Of the capital, enter
( prise. and skill Of our people IN tins direction
1 The government should never have less than
| million Of muskets in It's arseuals, with a cores
/ poudipc proportion Of arms and equipments fol
/ artillery and cavalry. Otherwise, II may, a.
/ most critical moment, find itself deficient in guns
while having an abundance OF men
l recommend that application be made TO Con
/ CreSs for authority 20 establish a national iOuh
| dry fer the manufacture of heavy artillery al
such point as may afford the greatest facilities
for the purpose. While q sufficient number q
/ cannon, perhaps, could be procured from private
manufactures, the possession of a national es'
adjustment would lead to experiments which
| would be useful to the country, and prevent i'm
position IN prices by the accurate knowledge
that would BIZ acquired of the real value Of work
/ of this character.
In my last report l called attention to the
TACT that legislation was necessary for the Teor,
ganization, upon a uniform basis Of the militia
/ ofthe country. Some general plan should be
provided by Congress, in aid OF the states, by
which our militia can be organized, armed and
| Disciplined. and made effective at any moment
for immediate service. II thoroughly trained III
time of peace, when occasion demands, It may
be converted into a vast army, confident IN It's
discipline, aud uucouguerabIe in its patriotism.
In the absence of any general system of oTgani-
I cation, upwards of 100000 men have already
been brought into the field and, in view Of the
/ alacrifvand enthusiasm that have beeud Splayed,
l do not hesitate 20 express the belief that no
( combination OF events can arise in which tins
country viii not be ablen not only to protect Itself,
but contrary f. its policy, which Is peace with
I al the world, TO enter upon aggressive operations
Z against any power That may intermediate with
/ our domestic affairs. a committee should be APP
pointed by Congress, with authority TO sit dur
ing the recess, to devise aud report a plan for
the general organization Of tie militia OF the
United States.
1t is of great Importance that immediate at
tention should be given to the condition OF our
Qualifications on the seaboard and the lakes, and
upon our exposed frontiers. They should at
once be placed in perfect condition for success
/ ful defense. Aggressions are seldom made upon
a nation ever ready TO defend its honor and to
repelinsults and We should show to the world
that while engaged in queling disturbances at
home we are able to protect ourselves against
attacks from abroad
Iearnestlv recommend that immediate pyovis-
ion be made for Increasing the corps Of cadets to
the greatest capacity Of the military academy.
There are now only 1872 cadets at that important
institution. I am assured By the superintendent
that 400 can be accommodated, ana thats with
very triding additional expense, this uumbermay
lie increased to 500. Il is not necessary, at this
late day. 70 speak of the value Of educated sol
diers. While, il She time of war and rebellion,
We must ever depend manly upon our militia
and volunteers, we shall alwaysne thoroughly
trained officers Two classes having been grad
uated during the present year, in order that the
service might have The benefit of their military
education, 1 had hoped that Congress, at its ex-
ira session. would authorize an increase Of the
number. Having failed TO do so. i trust that at
the approaching session an increase viii be au-
thorized, and that the selection of cadets viii be
limited exclusively to those States which, coop
Grating cordially with the government, have
brought their forces into the field TO aid in the
maintenance of its authority.
The railroad connection between Washing
ton and Baltimore has been lately much I'M
proved by additional sideings, and by extensions
IL this ciry. IN order, however, that abundant
supplies msY always be at the command OF the
Department. arrangements should be made for
laying a double track ba.ween this city and
Annapolis Junction, with improved s.aaings and
facilities at annapolis and along the branch
road
Should the navigation cf the Potomac be in
teIrupted by blockade, OF the seventies o. win
Ter, it would become absolutely necessary, for
the proper supply OF the troops in the District Of
Columbia and vicinity, and Of the inhabitants Of
this clty. 20 provide additional railroad connec-
ton between Washington and Baltimore. A re
s]ponsible company, with 2 chatter from the
State of Maryland, have proposed t. 90 tins
up0n condition that the government will endorse
their bonds ,they binding themselves 20 set
aside annually g sufficient sum for their reuemp-
ton 81 maturity. and thus eVeHtnaliy release the
government from any liability whatever, and 70
charge, for transportation, rates il no case 20.
exceed four cents a ton per uHis iGf freight, and
three cents per mile for passengers. During f5e
continuance Of the war, however, their charges
for passengers is not to exceed Two cents per
mile. Tie 5as-ge for the transportation OF pas
sengers between tic t-o cities is at present
three and q fourth cents per miis. md tor freight
tba rates per ton viii average from tive 80 e.ght
cents per Gie. The large saving TO the govern
ment ia tLe cost Of transportation would amply
compensate for all liability and give to the
citizens CT al the loyal States greatly Improved
facilities for reaching the national capitol, ana
at much less rates than they are nov compelled
10 pay. To the citizens of the District it would
cheaper the cost Of supplies, and prove Of I'M
uense value IN every respect
1 recommend that a railway be constructed
through this city acE the navy yard, by the
capital 10 Georgetown, forming connections with
the existing railroad depots, and using the s4Gc-
duct bridge FIR the purpose OF crossing the river
at Georgetown. By . junction OF tins proposed
hallway with the Orange ana Aie<sudria railway,
not crly would the Communication With our
troops in Virgins be- greatly improved, bat an
easy access be obtained % the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad near Harpe's Perry By means OF
the Loudoul and Hampshire railroad 10 its
Importance as af0IGing Facilities for moving
troops and supplies in time of war may be added
the future benefits il WOBl confer upon the Dis
trict Of Columbia. The outlay required would
be saved IN d few months by enabling lIe gov
eminent TO dispense with the expensive terrs at
Georgetown, and by greatly decreasing the
costly wagon transportation Of the army through
this city.
The Injuries TO railroads, iBslgatel by the
rebel authorities Of Baltimore, iu order ~ embar-
rass communication with the North and West
via Harrisburg, and with the East via PhilGdel-
phia, have been repaired by the different compa-
MES that own them. That portion of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad west Of Harpers Ferry,
which was so ruthlesslv destroyed by the rebels,
has not yet been restored. The great interests
Of trade require that this road should be Teopened
IS speedily as possible by the company, Tor the
transportation Of The immense surplus OF the ag-
riciltural productions Of the West. To aid this
object the department. has rendered 70 the com
pauy a sufficient force for its protection during
the progress Of the work, and will render such
facilities as it may be able to provide, in connect
aoa with lis other important duties.
For the purpose Of facilitating the transPorta-
ton Of supplies 10 alexandria and TO points
beyond, it mas been found necessary TO rebuild
portions Of the Orange and Aloxandr.e end the
loudOuu and Hampshire railroads, sad TO lay a
rack from the railroad depot to a point on the
Potomac uyerin this city.
Under an appropriation granted foT thai pur
pose ST the last session Of Congress, a telegraph
fc bureau was established, and has been found
of the greatest service IN our military operations
/ Eight hundred and fhy-sevea miles Of tele-
. graphic line have been already built and put in
operation, with au efficient corps Of operators
and g large extension Is now in process Of con-
structi0n.
Congress, at les late session, made an appro
prialion for the reconstruction Of the Long
Bridge aCr0ss the Potomac, which, in its then di
lapidated condition, was unsafe for military pur-
poses. The work, which has been carried on
without interruption to trade or travel, Is rapidly
approaching completion, and, vixen finished.
viii be a substantial structure.
While il is my intention to preserve the
~sttctest economy and accountability, think the
last dollar should be expended and the last man
armed to b-iag this unholy rebellion to a speedy
and permanent close.
The geograp hical position Of the metropolis o.
the nation. menaced by the rebels, and required
70 be defended by thousands Of our troops, IN