Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-18

yc.s! lS5 296, 1891 "
the resistance to tho passage of troo,s Though the
city Of Baltimore, fastening to the reiefof the Federal
capital, aud the destrucon.of bridges Of the Whining
ton and Baltimore and the Northern Celtral rarosds,
together with the refusal Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company TO transport the Government forces
and supprs involved tas nee ssiy an ary stage Of
he pr sent troubles the part Of this Department
take possession Of 80 much Of tie railway lines
required 20 form q connection With the States irom
which troops and supplies expected. military
route was accordingly opened from Perryvile, tie
Chesapeake. by Steamers TO Annapolis and thence by
railroad 10 Washington. In view If the stiles Of
the crisis Congress- il is not doubted will irsSiy the
| steps taken.
| As the movements of the Un;ea States forces are
continued the supervisory OF railroad and graph lines
will remain necessity to be met by the Department
would, therefore, recommend the proprety Of sa appro-
priaton to be made by Congress, "a lie applied when
the public 6xieencies demspa ,hs reconstruction and
equipment Of ralyoSds ald for the expense OF main
tanning and sang them and sso for the construction
Of additional telegraph lines and their appure1ances
would also recommend special appropriation for the
reconstruction OF the Long Bridge the Potomac
which is nov military necessity.
The importance Of enforcing the strctest discipline
where active army operations carried in the
balous States cannot be too strongly urged Public
confidence is for the time being destroyed and tho aoe
moral distinction which obtain among % xeAordered
communities apt to be lost wight OF The Federal
being suspended grave offences may be commit
ted over which oar military courts as nov organised,
have no authorized jurisdiction Il would only
consists nt with just regard to the nerests Of the Gov
eminent and the people, that properly organized
military tribunal should he empowered to take cognzance
of criminal osuoes and to punish the offender when
found guilty Such tribunal should not have any uris-
diction when the functions Of the Federal courts
uninterrupted. therefore recommend that the subject
be referred to the consideration of Congress
The subsistence of the troops now In the service Il
matter ef the highest importance Raions, proper In
quantity aud quality quite as essential to the eic
sncy of army ysor discipline. II Is desirable.
therefore, that the quality Of ratious distributed to the
troops should far possible be adapted to their pre-
ous dietary habs While il cannot be expected that
luxures TO which many have been accustomed should
b provided by the commsssriat, Just regard to
rt and health imposes upon the Government the duty
furnishing sound, heslthful, and pAlatabls food.
kger proportion Ct vegetables and fresh meats when
~ can be procured. than now be furnished under
| ID Army regulations would undoubtedly diminish the
digger Of epidemics among the troops therefore sub
nd the question: whether It would not be eIpedien for
Ohgress to enlarge the 20 Of the comIsissariat
$50 enable 1. 70 carry int practice the views here ssg-
g.tedf ...l .l
h all acquisitions for camp equpage, for the means
OF " transportation and for supplies, are made upon
the piartermaster Generals department. "a highly es
sentthat every facility should be afforded ts chief for
meetsx al such acquisitions with promptnses. At pres.
ent IL power Of that bureau Ia limited. For instance,
SEEM y,ry desirable that the troops 10 field should be
supplist With waterproof csPss and Nantsu 70 ssUs u