The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-07-18
Abssruet Of the secretary Of war's
Report


The report of the Secretary of War
will be read with unusual interest, ana
will be found instructive. After allud- |
ing to the seizure of the public property
bv the rebels, and the traltorous con-
duct of Twiggs, Secretary Cameron
Justly praises the acts of Anderson and
Slemmer. He states that, while under
the call of the President for the militia,
in April, the Governors of Delaware,
Virginia. and Missouri pre-emptorily
refused to send their quotas, each OF
these States having since furnished
regiment raised by patriotic citizens.
The force now at the command OF the
Government is $4,000 men, and after
the discharge of the three months vol
nnteers. there will be force of go, 900
officers and men. The increase in the
regular army consists of one regiment
of cavalry, one of artillery, and one of
infantry. The artillery contains twelve
batteries of six pieces each. Mr.. Cam
eron recommends that the term of en-
listment in the new regiments shall be
for three years, and that, at the close
OF the term, those who shall be honora-
bly, discharged shall receive bounty
Of one hundred dollars. In making the
selection of officers it was necessary to
make the appointments from the regu-
lar service, by seniority or by selection.
The objection to the first method was,
that inefficient men might be promoted
to places which ought to be filed by
young and vigorous officers. 1t was
therefore wisely decided, under the ad-
Woe of the General-in- Chief, to appoint
one-half from the regular army and
one-half from civil life. OF the civil
ians appointed, as regimental comman-
ders. all except one are either graduates
Of West Point, or have served with dis
finction in the field. Mr.. Cameron
asks the sanction Of Congress for these
preliminary steps in the augmentation
Of the regular forces, and states that
when at the close of the war reduc-
ton Of the present force is necessary,
. sufficient one should be retained to
protect the public property, wherever
It may be found.
Of the volunteer system, he speaks
highly as a substitute for standing
army, stating facts that now prove it re-
reliable and efficient in an emergency
The ardor with which men of every
rank and every station have come for
ward, and the voluntary contributions
both from individuals and states, are al
luded to. The calling out of large
force he deems in strict accordance with
wise economy, and regards vigorous
measures as a merciful policy. The ap-
preparation required, in addition to that
already made for the year ending June
so, 1861, for the force now in the field
Is, $1s5, 296, 397. He recommends an
appropriation for the construction and
equipment Of railroads and for the ex-
pense of maintaining and operating
chem, and also for the construction OF
additional telegraph lines and their APP
purtenances. He urges the Importance
Of enforcing the strictest discipline
when active army operations are
carried on in the rebelioas States. He
recommends the organization of mill
tary tribunal, to take cognizance oil
criminal offences and punish the guilty
The tribunal, however, is not to have
jurisdiction if the functions of the Fed
sral courts are uninterrupted. In re-
gard to the subsistence of the troops
be urges the Importance of more fresh
meat and vegetables, and recommends,
for the better protection of the men
waterproof capes and blankets. He
notices the sanitary commission and
the organization of military hospitals
The arms made at our national manu-
factories, compare, he says, most favor
ably with the best made in foreign gov
ernments, and he recommends the
making of those arms we may require
and which the national armories cannot
supply, by private manufactures, in
place of foreign ones. As the rifled
cannon is so efficient, arrangements
have been made for rifling large por
ton of the guns now on hand. The
presenting of the Whitworth guns is
noticed. Mr.. Cameron deems necessa
~ . reorganization, upon a uniform
basis, of the military of the country
and notices favorably the efficient man
ueA Az "hiSu, SouiC Vi ehe NCW LID SIdhc
regiments now in service, are equipped
He advises also the further distribution
of improved arms among the militia
abiding to the disafection among the
officers of the army, he traces its cause
70 the defects in the system of educa
tion at the academy at West Point, ant
earnestly trusts that Congress will ex
anime thoroughly the system of educa
ton and discipline in that institution
and provide without delay remed.
for whatever defects it may find Al
the exigencies of the public servics
have greatly increased the labor of thu
War Department, he asks for a law au
thorlzing the appointment of an Assis
fant Secretary of War.-N Y. World