Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-05
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nea The numerical strength Of the cavalry
force now greater than 10 REG uired and ii can
only be maintained at a great cost, measures will
be taken for ib gradual reduction.
Congress at fts late extra session authorized the
acceptance Of 500 COO volunteers and appropriated
SJOO,UoO, Co., for their support but so numerous
were the Offers Of volunteers It 10 believed OO OOO
men could have been obtained, had thera been
authority to accept their services. 1t will, says
the Secretary, be now for CongfesS to say wheth.
er the army shall be further augmented, with a
view TO more speedy termination of the war
il conhHed To the present limit fixed by law II is
proposed to consolidate such Of the re Iiments as
may from time TO time fall below the regulation
standard, and thus reduce the number Of officers
and expenses Of the army.
Th" report speak ks In big terms Of the eaiciency
elre 'dy shown by the volunteers; refers to the
wonderful strength Of eur iDs itutions in the peO
pie 80 rapidly gathering together such an i'm
mense army, without resort o conscriptions, lev
les, drafts or other extraordinary eIpedents;
tne reoelllon extended over an area Of 733 IA
square miles, possessing coast line OF 523 mil
aud shore line Of 25 Ala miles, with an interior
boundary line Of ,C31 miles IN length
The battle Of Bull Run In briefly referred to and
the result declared to b. ''the natural conse-
quence Of the premature adv tnce Of our brave bat
undlsclpiined troops which the impatien"e Of the
country demanded " Other early reverses, some
Of no permanent advantage 10 the enemy are re-
1eIrsd toi but be says, "the possession Of Western
Virginia and the occupation Of Hatteras and
verses"
The early position OF Maryland, Delaware,
kentu,ky, Missouri and Western Virginia, IL
next reviewed, and their present condition
pointed to with pride, as showing the increasing
progress OF loyalty to the Union. No doubt 10
entertained that the army on Potomac, under its
able leader, viii soon ma Ee such a demonstration
As Will re establish Its authority throughout all
the rebelliOus States.
II is suggested that the President be empow-
cred to send commissioners with the army with
power to enforce obligations Of contracts and the
collection OF debts due to loyal citizens in dis
uicts where the civil power has ceased TO exist
The deficiency Of arms and munitions OF war
at the commencement Of the rebellion Ia alluded
10, and the measures taken to procure a supply
are set forth.
Congress is urged to authorize the establish
ment OF national foundery, at some point Of
facility, for the manufacture Of heavy art lery
The reorganization Of the militia Of the country
upon uniform basis is also recommended The
Sta'es should, IL Is urged, be aided in organiz-
Ing, arming nd disci pining them.
Immediate attention is called to the condition
OF our foftihca tons upon the seaboard and the
lakes and upon our exposed frontiers. They
should at once be placed In perfect condition for
successful defense
The corps Of cadcts at the Military Academy
NV numbering only le2, II Is recommended
should be increased to $40, the increase to come
from tue States cordially cooperating with the
Government In bringing their forces into the field
In behalf Of the Union
The system Of promoti ons which prevails In the
regular service should, IL 10 urged be applied to
the volunteer forces in the respective states re.
snicnng however, the promotions to men actu-
unction now existing between regulars and vol.
unteers should not be continued
Recruiting for the regular army has not been as
SUCCESSFUL a. anticipated, and IL is thersfyFe rec
ommended that further inducements be held out
To recruits by bOuntes aud full pay when due.
II recommended that the law making obliga-
tory Tue discharge OF minors who may enlist with
out the consent OF their parents, should be re-
Pealed, and the subject lef to the regulations of
the war Department, or to the civil tribunals Of
the country The employment Of regimental
bands, 10 Is alse recommended, should be linn.
tied
Although the railroad facilities between Balti.
more and Washington have been lately I'm proved,
arrangements should be made for laying a double
tsck between washington and the Annapolis
Junction, with improved sideings and facilities
al Annapolis and along The branch road
The necessity Of an additional railroad between
Washington and Baltimore, in case the naviga-
uon Of the Potomac Is Interrupted by blockade or
the weather, next referred to- aud the fact men,
uonsc @ snasa "a ,esP0nsiols company, chartered by
such road upon condition that the Government
viii endorse their bonds they ndinQ themselves
70 set aside annually Sufficient sum for their re-
demption at maturity, and 10 charge for trans
poTtation rates in no case 90 exceed four cents
a ton per mile for freight, and three cents per
mile for passengers. During the war, however,
sengers
Itis recommended that railway be construct.
ed through Washington, from the Navy Yard, by
with the existing railroad depots and using the
aqleduct bridge for the purpose Of crossing the
nver al ofgstown. BY junction Of this pro-
railroad, not only would the communication with
our troops In Virginia be greatly improved, but
an easy access be obtained to the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad near HaTper's Ferry, by means of
the Loudoun and Hampshire railroad
To aid In the reconstruction Of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad the Department has rendered
ton during The progress Of the work. ana viii
render such facilities as IL may be able 10 pro-
vide In connection with its other important pub
lie duties.
The reconstruction Of The Long Bridge across
the Potomac 10 rapidly approaching completion,
and when finished will be a substantial stue-
ture.
The Secretary here refers to the resignation OF
Lieut.. Gen Scott, and pays high tribute to his
long service. Major Gsn. Mcclellan his success
sor in command, 10 also spoken Of in warm terms
Secretary Cameron then proceeds to make the
following Important suggestions:
fhe geographical position Of the metropolis
OF The nation, mensced by the rebels, and equired
10 be defended by thousands Of our trocps, ia
duces me to suggest for consideration the propre-
~ and exped ency Of reconstruction Of the
boundaries Of the States Of Delaware, Maryland,
and Virginia Wisdom and true SUBSTANTIALLY
would dictate that the seat Of national govern.
ment, for all time r. come, should be placed be-
ysnd reasonable danger Of seizure by enemies
within, as well a. from capture from foes without
By agreement between the states named, such az
was elected for similar purposes by Michigan
and OHIO, and by Missouri and Iowa, their bound
aries could be so changed as TO render the capt.
tai more remote than at present ffom the inhu-
enoe of Safe governments which have arrayed
Themselves In rebellion against the Federal su-
thority.
To this end, the limits Of Virginia might be 90
altered a. 10 make her boundaries consist Of the
Blue Ridge on the east and Pennsylvania on she
nortn, Leaving those on the south and west a. at
pres nt. By this arrangement, two counties Of
MAryland (Alleghany and Washington) would
be transferred 20 the Jurisdiction Of Virginia All
that portion Of Virginia which lies between the
Blue Ridge and Chesapeake Bay could then be
sdded to Maryland, while hat portion Of the De-
nlnsula between the waters Of the Chess ke ard
the Atlantic, now ioirtly held by Maryland AID
YiFginis could be incorporated iBto the State Of
DslswaTe. A reference TO the map will show that
Fhsse sre great natural boundaries which, Tor al