Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-07-18
[From the New York Post.l
The War Bills Before Congress.

The war bills reported to Congress by Sen,
ator Wilson, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, arc six in number
The first bill legaliZes the action of the
President in calling out the military and naval
forces of the United States for the protection
of the government, and empowers the Execu-
tive, in case of future exigencies of similar
character, to enforce obedience to the laws.
The second authorizes the employment of
volunteers to aid in enforcing the laws and pro-
tecting public property. Cavalry, artillery or
infantry may be accepted in such numbers as
the President may deem necessary, and the
sum of three hundred millions of dollars is ap-
propriated to meet the expenses of this force.
This bill also provides for the organization of
the volunteer forces into divisions of three or
more brigades each, each division to have
MajorGeneral not more than six Major
Generals aud eighteen Brigader Generals to
be appointed one chaplain to be allowed to
each regiment.
The third provides for an increase of the
regular military establishment nine regiments
of infantry, one regiment Of cavalry, and one
regiment of artillery, to be added to the pre-.
sent regular army each regiment of infantry
to consist of not less than two nor more than
three battalIions the terms of enlistment in
the years 1861 aud 1862 to be for the period
of three years, and after January /, 1868, for
the period of five years.
The fourth reorgauizes to regular army :;
providing for the appointment of an Asssis.
tant Secretary of War; at a salary of three
Thousand dollars year for on increase force
in the Adjutant-G Generals department for the
appointment of Chief of Ordnance, and for
an increase in the Board of Engineers aud in
Medical Department
The fifth provides for the detail of organiza-
tion Of volunteer militia force, "to be called
the National Guard Of the United States. -
This force is to consist of 240,0 900 men, rank
and file, exclusive OF the commissioned officers
aud is to be formed into two hundred regi
ments Of twelve hundred men each. The Pre-
sdent is empowered to order the whole or any
part of the National Guard into the service Of
the United States during war, or on an inva-
sion or apprehended invasion by any foreign
enemy, or an inSurrection, rebellion, violation
of and combination against the Constitution
and laws of the United States. The following
oath is to be administered to each officer and
private:
of the National Guard
do solemny swear that will support and de-
fend the Constitution and laws OF the United
States, and will bear true faith, and loyalty
to the government OF the United States, and
will support and defend it against all its enemies
and oppoSers, whatsoever, and will obey the
orders of the President of the United States,
and such officers as may be placed over me &C.
cording to law, and the regulations of the mil
itary service, so help me God"
One chaplain is allowed to each regiment
with the pay and allowances of a captain of
cavalry. The President is empowered to fill
vacancies in the appointment of cadets.
The sixthHiS bill Ito promote the effcien-
cy of the army" 1t provides for the retracy
of commi ssioned officers of the army after a
service of forty consecutive years for promo
tons and disabilities for the formation of
camps of instruction for the National Guard !;
for the uniforming of the Guard for the dis
charge of volunteers after a service OF six
years and for the enlistment of eighty thou
sand men at intervals of one, two and three
years, so that the entire number of 240 900
shall be enrolled within three years from the
approval of this act
The radical changes proposed in these bills
will place the military force of the United
States upon an effective footing, and provide
an abundance of men and means for the sup
preston Of the rebellion.