Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-12-11
The several arms of the service are estima
G40.637 20,334 GEO,

The appropriations asked for the service of
the next fiscal year are computed for force
Of 500. 600 men. They have been reduced to
the lowest possible amount consistent with
the public interests, and are based upon
strictly economical administrator of the
various branches of this department.
In organizing our great army, | was etfec
tieely aided by the loyal Governors of the
different States, and checrfuly acknowledge
the prompt patriotism with which they re
spandcd to the call Of this Department.
Congress, during its extra session, author
izad the army to he increased by the accep-
tlnce Of volunteer force Of 5O0,U COO men,
aud made an appropriation of i've hundred
millions Of dnllars for its support. A call
for the troops was Immediately made; bnt so
numerous were the offers that it was found
difficult to discriminate in the choice, where
the patriotism of the people demanded that
there shond be no restriction upon enlist
meuts. Every portion of the loyal States
desired to swell the army, and every commun
itY was anxions that it should be represented
in cause that appealed t. the nobieSt I'm
pulses Of our people.
So thoroughly aroused was the national
heart, that | have no doubt this force would
have been swollen to million, had not the
department. felt compelled to restrict it, in
the absence Of authority from the Represen
tatlvcs Of the people to increase the limited
number. 1t will be for Congress to decide
@hether tie army shall be further augmen-
ted, with view to u more speedy termina-
ton of the war, or whether it shall be confin
ID To the strength already fixed by law. In
the latter case with the object of reducing
the volunteer force to 500, 600, propose. with
the consent IF Congress, to consolidate such
Of the regiments as may from time to time
jail below the regulation standard lhe
adoption of this measure will decrease the
number Of officers, and pruportionably dimln-
lsh the expenses of the army.
The conspiracy against the Government ex-
tended over an area of 733, l44 square miles,
possessing a coast line of 1923 miles, and a
shore line of 2j,4l4 miles, with an interior
boundary line of 7.03l miles in length. This
conspiracy stripped as OF arms and munitions,
sn1 scattered our navy 20 the most distant
quarters of the globe The effort to restore
the Union, which the Government entered on
in April last. was the most gigantic endeav-
Or in the history of civil war. The interval
Of seven months has been spent in prepara-
Y ton
The history of this rebellion, in common
4 With all others, for obvious causes, records
the frst successes in favor of the insurgents.
The disaster Of Bull Run was but the nat,
ural cons. quence of the premature advance OF
cur brave but undiscipiined troops, which the
NJ lnpatence of the country demanded, The
betrayal also of our movements by traitors IN
Our midst enabled the rebels to choose and en-
iFehch their position, and by reinforcement
N great strength, at the moment OF victory,
% snatch it from our grasp. Fhis reverse,
however, gave no encouragement to our gal
ant people; they have crowded into our
ranks, and although large numbers have been
leG;essarily rejected, a mighty army in irwin.
HoIe array stands eager to precipitate itself
upon the foe. The check that we have re-
.e'Sed upon the Potomac has, therefore, bat
RR91S'Poned ~ the campaign for few months.
me other successes of the rebels. though
Ieafly won, were mere affairs. with no i'm
poftant or permanent advantages. The pos
e0lon Of Western Virginia, and the occupa-
3oh OF Hatteras and Beaufort have nobly re-
''gtned our transient Feverses. saa s
Inc geographical position ofshe metropolis
'ne nation, menaced by the rebels, and
quiFed to be defended by thousands ot oul
90ops' induces me TO suggest for considera
avn the propriety and expediency of recon
"uction Of the boundaries of the States o.