The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-21
Letter from Michigan.

DETROIT, Mich, Nov. !, 1862.
Mr.. EDITOR :-"Our regular army is disap-
pearing." Many no doubt are surprised to hear
that from a prominent New York Journal.
which it was supposed ought to know
What our army disappearing, when thous-
ands of men have just been added? Dlsap- |
pearing, when thousands of recruiting offices
all over the country are sending in men to
fill up its ranks! Strange!
Yes, strange, if these men are all going
into the regular army,-if the regular army
and volunteer army are one and the same
but they are not, "What, tuo armies here
in the North ?" exclaims some person ignor
ant of military distinctions.
When the rebellion was taking form in
rhe winter of 1S6O-6l our standing army con-
sisted of only about $1,000 men, and these
men being daily thinned by sickness, death
and desertions. Recommendations had
been made to Congress to increase this num-
ber, as it was inadequate to the garrisoning
Of forts and the protection of our vast from
tier: but southern influence, which knew
of the storm that was coming, wished as
small an army to contend with as possible,
and these recommendations were passed
over in silence. And this army of 10000
men was so scattered by Secretary Floyd
that they were almost useless in case of an
emergency. Some were in Oregon, few in
California, small squad in Utah, handful
in Texas, others scattered along our frontier
and sea coast. When Gen Scott endeavored
to get fighting force together at Lincoln's in
auguration he could muster only trihe
over six hundred, and part Of these were sap
pers and miners from West Point.
. Our regular army was then certainly dis
appearing.
/ When the 'war session. of congress met in
July 1861, it was seen that something must
! be done to increase the regular army
Should the war be short, as was then antic-
i2ated by many and the volunteers be dis
banded, who would garrison our forts and
preserve the peace? In war our 10000
might become dangerously lessened, and the
South might again attempt to rise. The ten
regiments of infantry were consequently Or
dered to be increased to nineteen.-
In an sold regiment" were ten companies.
The maximum number of men and officers
in the regiment was 902. The "new regi-
ments" were ordered to be organized or the
French plan-eight companies to battalion
three battalions in regiment, each bat
talon commanded by major,-the whole
by colonel. The maximum number of men
and officers allowed in new regiment was
244O, larger than two of the old regiments
These new regiments being filed, the infan
, try of the regular army would consist o
nearly 10000 men, all told. Commissioned
officers for these new regiments, with tht
> exception of second lieutenants) were at once
appointed and headquarters of regiments as
? signed. A few of these new officers were Wes
: Pointers, others from the old regiments
= and many were appointed who had displayed
t bravery and military talent in the three
e months service. Second lieutenants are t.
e be appointed as they are needed in the or
e ganization Of companies, from meritoriou
/ non commissioned officers in the regiment.
= In August, recruiting commenced and wa
4 carried on quite briskly. To place the reg
ulars on par with volunteers, Congress Gu
i down the term of enlistment in the regular
J. from five years to three; this to have etfec
y until January lst, 1868, after which it is i
= be for FIVE years as before. BY January 1856
= some OF the new regiments had the er frs
battaions in the field, by April, one Or tw
n had two battalions in the field, while som
It had yet, not one. After April, recruiting fo
If the regulars fell off ffrapidly; the order issue
'e to stop recruiting for volunteers having gi,
J. en- the people to understand that there wer
If men enough in the field, and they had begu
II to turn their attention to other business, pr,
Guiding enlistment.
ID The call for 100000 more men, 100000
Mt be raised by draft, if necessary, woke the'
ID up again. To avoid draft, large bountit
ar were offered by states, counties, cities an
be towns, for volunteers; but this did not hel
m the regulars; they could offer only the 60
eminent bounty OF $l0o,-S25 down. r
1t cruiting for regulars was at a stand. Ar