, 1862-12-05
TIIE WAR DIsPAIeXIIEzNE.
Au Ab.aract Report of Secretary
Stanton.

The Secretary OF War details the military
operations during The past year; points tothe
TACT tnst the Department Of the P.lciGe has
been free from any OF the caiamities OCCASION
cd By the rebellion an earnest ard deep sym
patby has been manifested by the loyal citi-
zers Of the Pacific States, in support Of the
U1ion. From survey Of the wac!e field Of
operations, it is apparent whatever disasters
our arms may have suffered at particular
points, great advance has been ri*1e s5ace
the commencement Ct the war TAs Caioa
forces are ROW in tie field under aoie com
u1anderB, stronger t1an eyer, resolute ana
eager to be led agaipet the enemy, to crush the
rebellion by q vigorous winter campaign.
The armies Of the Potomac and tie Wcat
stand ready to vie viii, each other in dealing
the quickest and heaviest blows against the
enemy. Taught by experience Of the rulu Of
Traction, and the hazard of delay spirit Of
earnest activity Ecems to pervade the forces
OF the United States beyond what hss hitherto
been exhibited. In the numerous battles aud
crgaeements that hare occurred, our armies
in general have displayed the courage and de-
Termination That should Inspire officers and
soldiers fighting in defense Of their govern.
ment. Cnder the c,ll5 Of July and August,
there are already in the field over 420 00o ne =
troops, Of which $50 ,0a0 are volunteers
f3,5522 600 Of whcm have volunteered for t!ret
years OF the VAT. It Will be remembered tn.
call was made ut ono OF these periods Of de
sponGency which occ1r in every Hatl0ns
Struggle.
A chief hope OF those who set the rebellion
on foot WAS for aid and comfort from dialoya
sympa1tizers in tine Northern Sta!ea, who's
the people of the North and prevent then
from putting forth their whole strength t.
preserve the national existence.
The call for volunteers ana draft OF th
militia afforded an occatio for dis!oy1l PEI
sons to accomplish their evil purposes By dis
sition to the War and the draft OF soldiers t
carry it on
Anxiety was fc?t in some States at the pros
able success Of these disloyal practices, Al
the government vas urged to adopt measure
of protection BY tcmpofary restraint Of thos
engaged in these hostile acts
10 that erd, Provost N 1-sh1lt were n
pointed In come States, upon tue no1ninatlo
of their Governors, to act under the dirccio
OF tie State Executive. and the writ Of Aa1c
corpus was Suspended By our order-
BY order ci the War Department arres
we're forbidden, unless authorized by the Sta
Executive or Judge Advocate.
Some instances cf u1autho7iZ5d ares
have occurred, and when brought to Il
notice of the Department, the parties hi
been Immediately discharged.
By recent order, all persons arrested !
discouraging enlistuleDtB, or for disloya1 pr;
tices in IheS States wheri: the quotas OF yolu
Mers and militia are filled up, have been
Ieased.
Other pcrsous arrested by military CO
n1anaers and sent from departments Wis
their presence WIS deemed dang erous to t
public safety, have been discharged upon !
role to be Of good behavior, aud do no act
hostility against the Government Of the Cni,
$5tates.
While military arrests Of di:]oyal perse
form the subject Of complaint in some Stat
the discharge Of Eucl persons is complair
Of in Other States.
1t has been the aim Of the Department
avoid ary cncrcac chments upon indirid
rights as Jar as might be consistent with
public safety; but rejecting minds Will I
ceSVe that no greater encouragement can
given to the enemY-no more dangerous
Of hostility can be perpetrated in this W.
than efforts to prevent recruiting aud enlist
for the armies upon wnoee strength the
1iopal existence depends
The expectations OF the rebel leaders
their eympathzers in the loyal States That
call for volunteers would not be answered
that the draft could not be iuforced. have fl
and nothing is left but to clanor at the mt
hy which their hopes were frustrated an
strive to Gisafm the Government in future
ia the chances Of war, another occasion
increasing the military force should arise.
Besides aiding the State authorities resl
3rg the dEaNand enlistment another impor
duty is assigned to the Provost Mashals.
The army returns and the report of the
in-Chief, shows that a large number Of oil
ard enlisted soldiers arc abseut frorn I
posts ..........
pulsory return to duty, is necessary fnns
ot Provost Marshal, and such numb,
them only ae nlay be required for that put
will In future be retained in the service.
The pay and bounty allowed By act Of
g1ess to recruits have offered strong ten
lions to practice fraud upon the Govern
bT false returns upon tie muster rolls
false charges for subsistence.
D}Ggent efforts are beiny made for tn
lection of all such practices, aud to brlu
guilty parties, come Of whom have bel
6ponsfhfe stations In society, before p
civil OF military tribunal as soon as the
1iminarT investigations by the Judge Adv
can be completed.
The same course is being pursued In re
to fraudulent cont1actors and dlsbursinz
The expenditures for en1istments, re
ing, drilling and subsistence OF Eolun
qss5e e rs 30 a9S &, militia, amounts 10 the 81
The general acqutescence Of all the
States In the measures deemed necesss
strengthen the armies and prosecute th
at every hazard to hnal success. Drove
fidelity of the people to the Government
their determination to maintain It's 1n{t
uphold Its authority over the whols ter
Of the United States.
The Secretary ssys that experienc
shown that serious defects exist IN the
law, which should be promptly remedlei
laws relative to volunteers also need a
7nent. Tbs views Of the Department OF
subjects will be communicated to the
1,riate committees OF Congress. It Y
eeen that the Quartermsster's Depar'