Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-12

L q pere --Tt ------t -
,.,s,., =, 6er, .sr.64o.6aT '2o,ss4 E-Ae seoe7l
&c. The appropriations asked for the service
of the next fiscal year are computed for a
force of 500, 900 men. They have been re-
duced to the lowest possible amount eonsis-
tent with the public interests, and are based
upon strictly economical administration of
the various branches Of this department
y 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 extraordi-
nary expenditures connected with the en-
eployment and discharge of the Three Months
Contingent. 1oisi-r.t s F=HT1 a5Isi.. 80
An item OF very heavy expense is the
large mounted force which has been organ
lied, equipped, and made available sincethe
called session of Congress, and which was
not computed for in, the, estimate. While
an increase Of cavalry was undoubtedly nee
essary, it has reached numerical strength
more than adequate to the wants of the ser
vice As it can only be maintained at q
great cost, measures will be taken for its
gradual reduction. 4sa PES = 10 !ihzaz
In organizing our great army, was effec-.
lively aided by the loyal Governors of the
different States, and ] cheerfully acknowl-
edge The prompt patriotism with which they
responded to the call of this Department.
Congress, during its extra session, author
lied the army to be increased by the accep-
lance of Volunteer force of 500, 900 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 thepeople 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 q cause that appealed to the
nob1est impulses of our people. ss.1 l,,ra /
!. so thoroughly aroused was the national
heart, that / have no doubt this force would
have been swollen to million, had not the
Department felt constrained to restrict it, 1
in the absence of authority from the repre- 4
sentativeSofs the people to increase the lin
tied number II will be for Congress to de-
eide whether the army shall be further aug
with q view to q more speedy termi-
nation of the war; or whether it shall be
confined to the strength already fixed by
law. In the latter case, with the object Of re-
ducing the volunteer force to 500, 900, / 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
decrease the number Of officers, and proper
tionably diminish the expenses of the
army.
1t is said of Napoleon, by Jomni, that, in
the campaign of 1916, that great general on
the first of April had a regular army of
zoe, 900 men. On the first Of June he had
this army to 414, 900. The pro-
portion adds Jomni, 'shad he thought prop
er to inaugurate vast system of defense,
would have raised it to zoe, 900 men by the
1stlof September at the commencement
Of this rebellion, insugurated by the attack
upon Fort Sumter, the entire military force
at the disposal of this Government was
If, 006 regulars, principally employed in
the West to hold in check marauding In |
dams. In April 75, 900 volunteers were /
called upon to enlist for three months SER
vice, ana responded 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 |
90, 600 volunteers to- serve for three |
years, or during the. war; and by the act app
proved the 29th of the same month, the sd
1isi0n of rs, 900 men TO the regular army Of I
he United States was authorized. The rel
sult is, that We have NOW q standing army /
if upward of 600, 900 men, II we add to /
his the number Of the, discharged three |
months volunteers, the agsEsgats furnished
80