Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-03
rHR mEssAeR oF iRtF DAVIS.

state Of the Confederaoy, and recommend for
their consideration such measures as be shall
Judge necessary and expedient, have to COM
municate that since the message ct the last
session of the provisional Congress events
have demonstrated that the government had
attempted more than Il had power 10 achieve.
Hence in the effort TO protect by our arms
the whole territory Of the Confederate States
-ssaboard and inland-We have been 80
exposed, as recently 10 encounter serious dis
nsters.
When the Confederaey was formed, the
States comprising it were in the peaceful
character of their pursuits, and misplaced
confidence In their former associates, 70 q
great extent destitute OF the means for the
prosecution OF the war on 80 gigantic scale
as that to which It has attained. The work
shops and artists were mainly to be found in
the Northern States, and one OF the 6rst du-
ties which deVolVed upon this Government
was to establish the necessary manufactures
and in the meantime to obtain, BY purchase
from abroad as far as practicable, whatever
was required for the public defence. No ef-
fort has been spared to effect both these ends,
and though the results have not equalled our
opes, is is believed that an impartial judg-
ment will, upon full investigation award TO
the various Departments OF the Government
credit, for having done all which human
power and foresight enabled them to accom-
plish.
The yalor and devotion Of the people have
not only sustained the efforts OF the Gov
ernment, but have gone far TO support its de-
fciencies.
The active state Of Military preparations
among the nations of Earopo IN April last,
the date when cur agents flst went abroad,
interposed unavoidable delays in the pro-
eurement Of arms, and the want of navy
has greatly impeded cur efforts to import
military supplies of all sorts.
have hoped for several days to receive the
official report in relation to our discontinue
at Roanoke Island and the fall of Fort DON
elson. They have not yet reached me, and
l am therefore unable 10 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 pro-
duced.
Enough is known Of the surrender of Ro-
suoke Island 10 make US feel that il was
deeply humiliatiDg, however imperfect msy
have been the preparation for defence.
The hope is still entertained that our re-
ported losses at Fort Donelson have been
greatly exaggerated, inasmuch as am not
only unwilling or unable to believe that
large army of our people have surrendered
without desperate effort to cut their way
through the invading forces, whatever may
have been their numbers, and to endeavor 70
make junction with other divisions of the
army. But in the absence of that exact in
formation which can only be afforded by Of
Reial reports, il would be premature to pass
Judgment, and my own is reserved, as trust
yours viii be, until that Information Is re-
ceived. z
In the meantime strenuous efforts have
been made to throw forward reinforcements
10 the armies at positions threatened, and l
cannot doubt the bitter disappointmeats We
have borne, by nerVing the people to still
greater exertions, will speedily secure results
more sccordant with our Just expectations,
and as favorable to our cause as those which
marked the earlier period of the war The
reports of the Secretary of War and Navy
will exhibit the mass of resources for the
conduct Of the war, which we have been en-
abied 10 accumulate, Notwithstanding the
severe difficulties against which we have con-
tended. 'z.-- ~
They afford cheering hope that our re.
sources, limited as they were at the begin
ming of the contest win, during its progress,
become developed to such an extent as fully
to meet our future wants. The policy Of en-
istment for abort terms, against which have
steadily contended from the commencement
of the war, has, in my Judgment contributed
IN ne iE@eeeriat degree - Gke roOoat rurur-
ses we have suffered, and even now renders |
it difficult 10 furnish you an accurate state |
ment Of the army. When the war fret |
broke out many Of our people could, with |
be pursuaded that it would be long |
or serious. 1t was not deemed possible that |
so insane IS persistent attempt to |
subjugate these States could be made, still |
less that the delusion could 90 far prevail as
70 give 70 the var theYast proportions which
it has assumed. The people, incredulons of
3 long war, were naturally averse to long enc
listment and the early legislation Of CON
gress rendered it impracticable to obtain
volunteers for g longer period than twelve
months. -.-.--....-- .--s-. |
: Now that It has become probable that the
var viii be continued through series of
7ears, our high-spirited and gallant soldiers
Fhile generally re-enlisting, are, from the
act Of having entered the service for a
hort time, compelled, in many instances, to
70 and make the necessary arrangements
or their families during their prolonged ab-
ence
The quotas Of new regiments for the war
allied fJr from the different States are in rapid
lrogress OF organisation. The whole body
4 new levies and re-enlisted men viii prob
bly, be ready and in the ranks within the
Iext thirty days; but, in the meantime, it is
xceedingly difficult to give an accurate stale
lent Of our forces in the field.
They may in general terms be stated at
90 regiments Of infantry with proportionate
orces of cavalry and artillery, the details of
Ihich viii be shown by the Secretary of
Var. deem it proper to advert to the fact
bat the process of furl0ughs and re-enlist-
lents in progress for the last month had so
II disorganized and weakened our forces as
D impair our ability for suecessful defence.
ut hereby congratulate you that this evil, I
Thich l had foreseen but was powerless to I
revent, may now be said to be substantial
at sn end, and that we shall not again du- ]
ng the war be exposed to seeing our strength
unfinished by this fruitful cause Of disaster-
hort eulistmens. 4 = :
The people of the Confederate States being
rincipally engaged in agricultural pursuits, !
rere unproyided at the commencement Of e
ostihties with ships, ship yards, material ?
Y ship building, or skilled mechanics and /
sauaen in sufficient numbers to make the r
rompt creation Of navy practical task. 9
ven, If the required appropriations had been :
lade for the purposes. I
Notwithstanding our very limited re. Q
'urees, however, the report Of the Secretary :
i'll exhibit to you satisfactory proportion ,