Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-08
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
MkePorts of the Secretaries of War and
the NAVY.

government In revenues, afSenals, lOrts, mlhts,
and other property, which have been success
lively stolen or betrayed by disoyal command
ing officers He speaks OF the ignomnlous
desertion of Gen. Twiggs and of his handing
over to the enemies Of his country the public
p operty trusted to his care. In striking ana
honorable contrast is mentioned the action OF
| Major Anderson and Lieut.. Semmer, and the
officers and men un'ler their command Under
the presidents proclamation, calling for vouh-
teers for three months, there are now III ser
vice at least $4,000 men. Under the second
proclamation, calling for volunteers tor the
war, there have been accepted 20S regiments,
besides 55 other regiments, if in the field with
in 20 or 30 lays. The total force is computed
as follows =
Regulars and volunteers for three months
and for the war; 225,00O
Add to this So regiments of volunteers for the
war, accepted and not in service, $4,000
Add new regiments of regular army, 25,0O0-75,oOo
Total force now at command of government, 10000
Deduct the three months volunteers, $4,000
the three months men, 100000
OF the regiments accepted, all are infantry
and rifemen except two battaliOns of artillery
and four regiments of cavalry. The increase
OF the regular army has amounted TO one regi-
ment of cavalry, one regiment OF artillery, and
nine regiments of infantry, or about Z0OOO Of
ficers and men. The secretary speaks OF the
high character of this large and admirable
force, which has sprung to arms in vindication
of the constitution and the laws, and adds that
in calling it forth, They have acted with wise
prudence and economy, in harmony with the
uniform practice OF the government.
of nlAnhlu nfNrInf
required for the above enumerated force are
S1o5, zoe, 1897 70. He also recommends special
appropriations for rebuilding the long bridge
across the Potomac, and tor the construction
of new lines of railroad and telegraph When
ever public eXigencles require them. An en-
largement OF the powers OF the quartermaster
general and the commissariat, is urged for the
speedier and better supplying OF troops. 1t is
| also urged as wise policy In the matter OF arms
| for the government, 10 encourage domestic in
| dustry, ty supplying our troops in part from
| private factories of our own country, instead
| of making purchases from abroad AS rlfed
| cannon are, in point OF effectiveness, far supe.
rior to smooth-bored, arrangements have been
i made to rife large portion Of the guns on
| hand, and the work is still in progress.
| The startling treachery OF army officers,
| educated by the government, and indebted to
| it for the honor and the rewards OF its service,
suggests the question whether its promoting
| cause may not be traced to a radical defect in
the system OF education itself. In view of the
facts, an investigation OF the system of educa-
ton and discipline at West Point, is thought
| desirable and reform effected if defects are
found to exist. The report recommends the
passage Of a law authorizing the appointment
| of an assistant secretary OF war, and closes
with an expression OF Indebtedness TO Gen.
Scott for his constant and self sacrificing devo-
ton to the public service.
The Navy Department..
When the change Of administration took
place in March, the navy was organized on a
peace establishment The total numbe: Of
vessels was 80, carrying 2415 guns.' The
available force, however, numbered only 50
vessels, and of these only AZ were in commits
sion. These vessels were nearly all OF them
on foreign stations. The home squadron con-
sisted of only twelve vessels, and of these only
four, carrying % guns and $50 men, were in
northern ports. With so few vessels in com
mission on our coast, and our crews i'll distant
seas, the department was inditierently prepar-
ed to meet the exigency arising. 1t was also
| embarrassed by the democrat cation of officers,
|
that infidelity which has dishonored the ser
| vino.-.Hvv ,-vest-r v...,,s.
ton, Palmlcaf, Excel
resses. transpired from the FRI sH
tnre Frames and Mon cumberland, Commodore
All kinds of DooRM. Chesapeake to the caam
:. 50 Gsd 5rS by which the government lost
several vessels, and large quantities OF ord
nance and stores, are concisely narrated, and
are already matters OF public history. Mea-
sures were at once taken 10 increase the naval
force of the country and concentrate it along
the dsl0yal coast. 1t was arranged in two
squadrons the first or Atlantic squadron un-
der Commodore Stringham, now consisting of
Y vessels, 296 guns, and 1900 men: and the
second, or gIf squadron under Commodore
Mervine, consisting OF Il vessels, 2o2 guns,
and $500 men. OF the SO vessels above men,
toned, the Levant has been given up as lost,
the Fulton was seized at Pensacola, one frigate
two soops and one brig were burned at Nor
folk. The remaining vessels with four excep-
lions, are, or will soon be in commission
There have been recently added by purchase,
II steamers carrying from to 9 guns each,
and three sailing vessels. There have been
| chartered nine steamers, carrying from 2 10
| guns each. By these additions the naval force
| in commission has been increased to 81 vess-
| els, carrying upwards OF HOO guns, and with
| a marine complement of about 1900 men,
exclusive Of officers and marines.
Since the 4th of March, 259 officers of the
navy have resigned or been dismissed from
| the service. Their places have been in part
| supplied by gentlemen formerly connected
with the navy, who had retired to civil pur
| suits in peaceable times, but who, in the spir
| it of true patriotism, came promptly forward
| in the hour of their country's peril and made
voluntary tender of their services to sustain
the flag and the government The enlistment
of seamen has gone forward rapidly who new
er before came forward with such alacrity and
zeal to serve the country. The secretary
calls attention to the removal of the naval
| school from Annapolis to Newport, and recon-
mends some Legislation by which its members
reduced by designations from the disloyal
| states, may be raised to the full number au-
| thorized by the laws. The great numbers of
| designations, and the increase of the service,
| calls for an increase Of the marine corps, and
the corps OF paymasters.
On the subject OF floating batteries, or iron
clad steamers, the report recommends the ap.
| pointment of competent board of investiga-
| ton 1t is nearly twenty years since gentle
man OF New Jersey, possessing wealth and
TALENT projected the construction of floating
| battery, and the government aided the work
| by a liberal donation. The death of this gen.
| tlemau a few years since interrupted the pros
| ecution OF this exeriment; and application has
been recently made by his surviving brother,
the authorities of New Jersey and others, for
additional means TO carry it forward to com
pleton. The amount asked is of such magni-
tude as to require special investigation by
competent board, who shall report as to the
expectancy and practicability of the expert
ment before So large an expenditure should be
| authorized
The naval appropriations for the year end
| ing July 90 1862 amount to S3S 1853 900