Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-01
LErE. DAVIS. nrEssAGE.

more than it had power successfully TO achieve.
Hence, in the effort to protect by our arms the
whole territory of the confederate states, sea.
board and inland, we lave been so exposed as
recently to encounter serious disasters
When the contederacy was formed the states
comprising it were too much absorbed in their
peculiar pursuits, and il! misplaced conf
dence in their former associates 10 a great eX
tent and too destitute OF means for the prose-
cutOn of war on so gigantic u scale as that 10
which it has attained. The workshops and
artists were mainly TO be found in the north
ern states, and one OF the first duties which de.
Volved upon this government was to establish
manufactures, and in the meantime 10 obtain
by purchase from abroad, as far as practical
Bile, whatever was required for the public de-
fence. No effort has been spared to effect
both these ends, and, though the results have
not equalled our hopes, it is believed that an
impartial judgment will, upon full investiga.
ton, award to the various departments
of the government credit for having done all
which human power and foresight enabled
them to accomplish. The valor and devotion
OF the people have not only sustained the eff
forts OF the government, but have gone far to
support its deficiencies. The active state of
military preparations among the nations of
Europe in April last, the date when our agents
first went abroad, interposed unavoidable de.
lays in the procurement of arms, and The want
of navy has greatly impeded our efforts to
import military supplies OF all sorts.
have hoped for several days to receive the
fficial reports in relation to our discontinue
at Roanoke Island, and the fall of fort Donel.
son. hey have not yet reached me, and
am therefore unable TO communicate to you
such information of past events and conse-
quences resulting from them, as would enable
me to make recommendations, founded upon
the changed condition which they
have produced. Enough is known of
the surrender of Roanoke Island to
make US feel, that it was deeply huniliatng,
however imperfect may have been the prepa-
ration for defense. The hope is still enter
tanned, that our reported losses at fort Donel-
son have been greatly exaggerated, inasmuch
as l am not only unwilling, but unable TO be-
lieve, that large army of our people have
surrendered without desperate effort to cut
their way through the investing forces, what
ever may have been their numbers, and TO
endeavor to make junction with other divis-
ions of the army. But in the absence of that
exact information, which can only be afforded
by official reports, it would be premature to
pass judgment, and my own is reserved as |
trust yours will be until that information is
received. In the meantime strenuous efforts
have been made to throw forward reinforce
ments TO the armies at positions threatened,
and l cannot doubt that the bitter disappoint
ments We have borne, by nerving the people
to still greater exertions, will speedily secure
results more accordant with our just txpecta.
tons, and as favorable to our cause, as those
which marked the earlier period Of the war.
The report of the secretaries Of war and
navy VIII exhibit the mass of resources for
the conduct of the war, which we have been
enabled TO accumulate, notwithstanding the
very serious difficulties against which we have
had TO contend. They afford cheering hope
that our TT sources, limited as they were at the
beginning OF the contest, will during its pro-
gress become developed TO such an extent, as
fully to meet our wants.
The policy of enlistment for short terms,
against which l have steadily commended from
the commencement of the war, has, in my
judgement, contributed in no immaterial de-
gree to recent reverses, which we have suffer
ed and even now renders it difficult TO furnish
you with an accurate statement of the army.
When the war first broke out, many of our
people could with difficulty be pursuaded
that it would be long or serious. 1t was
not deemed possible, that any thing SO insane
as a persistent attempt TO suljugate these states
could be made: still less, that the delusiUn
could so far prevail as to give TO tine war the
vast proportions which it has assumed The
ally averse to long enlistmcnts, and the early
legislation of congress rendered it impractical
bic to obtain volunteers for longer period
than twelve months. Now that il has become
probable that the war will be continued
through series Of years. our high spirited
and gallant soldiers, while generally re-enlist-
ing, are, from the fact of having entered SER
vice for short terms, compelled in many in.
stances to go home to make necessary arrange
ments for their families during their prolonged
absence.
The quotas of new regiments for the war,
called tor from the different states, are in rapid
progress of organization. The whole lody OF
new levies and re-enlisted men will probably
be ready in the ranks within the next thirty
days. But in the meantime, it is exceedingly
difficult to give an accurate statement of the
number of our forces in the field. They may,
i'll general terms, be stated at four hundred
regiments of infantry, with prOportionate
forces Of cavalry and artillery, the details OF
which viii. be shown by the report of the sec
rotary OF war. l deem it proper to advert to
the TACT that the process of iurloughs and re-
enlistments in progress for the last month had
80 far disorganized and weakened our forces as
to impair our ability for successful defence, but
hereby congratulate you that this evil, which
had foreseen and was poweress to prevent,
may now be said to be substantially at an end,
and we shall not again during the war, be ex-
posed to seeing our strength diminished by the
fruitful cause Of disaster
The people of the confederate states, being
principally engaged in agricultural pursuits,
were unprovided at the commencement of the
hostilities with Ships, ship yards, materials for
ships, shipbuiding, or skilled mechanics and
seamen in sufficient numbers to make the
prompt creation OF navy practical task even
if the required appropriations had been made
for the purposes. Notwithstanding our very
limited resources, however, the report of the
secretary will exhibit to you a satisfactory
proportion in preparation and the certainty of
the near completion of vessels of number
and class on which we may confidently rely
for contesting the Wanted control of the enc
my over our waters.
The financial system devised by the wisdom
OF your predecessors has proved adequate to
supplying all the wants of the government,
notwithstanding unexpectedly and largely in.
creased expenditures, resulting from a great
augmentation in the necessary means Of de.
renee Inc report OF the secretary of the
treasury VIII exhibit the gratifying fact that
we nave no floating debt, that the credit of the
government Is unimpared aud the total expen
ulture OF the government for a year has been
in round numbers $4,000; less than one.
third OF the sum wasted by the enemy in his
VAN efforts to conquer us less than the value
Of single article OF export, the cotton crop Of
the year.
The report of the postmaster general will
show the condition of that department 10 he
steadily improving, its revenues increasing,
and already affording assurances that il will
be selfsustained at the date required by the
constitution, while aAording ample facilities
for the DpODe