The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-03-07
MESSAGE OF JEFF. DAVIS.
He L. Astsaished az the Magnitude sfthc
War
BALTIMORE, %th.

since tie message Ot inc last sehsioh VI the
Provisional Congress, events have demonstrate
cd that the government had attempted more
than it had power, successfully TO achieve
Hence. in the effort to protect, by our arms,
the whole territory Of the Confederate States
seaboard and inland, we have been 80 expos
ed rs recently to encounter serious disasters.
When the Confederacy was formed, the
States composing 1t were, in the peculiar
character OF their pursuits, and misplaced
confidence in their former associates, to a
great extent destitute Of means for prosecu-
ton of the war ON so gigantic scale rs that
to which it has attained.
The workshops and artizans are mainly to
be found in the Northern States, and one OF
the first duties which deyolycd upon this gov
eminent was to establish the necessary manu-
factories, and in the meantime to obtain by
purchase from abroad us far us practicable,
whatever was requisite for the public defence.
No efforts have been spared to effect both
these ends; and though the results have not
equalled our hopes, it is believed that an i'm.
partial judgment will, upon full investigation
award to the various departments OF the gov
eminent the credit Of having done all which
human power or foresight enabled them to
accomplish. The yalor and devotion OF the
people have not only sustained the efforts Of
the government, but have gone lar to supply
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 delays in the pro.
curement Of arms. and the want Of q navy
has greatly impeded our efforts to impart
military supplies Of all sorts.
have hoped for several days to receive the
reports relative to our discontinue at Roam
okc Island and Fort Donelson. They have
not reached me, and | am therefore unable
to communicate to you such information OF
past events, and consequences resulting from
them, as would enable me to make recon-
neudations founded upon the changed con-
dition which they have produced. Enough
is known of the surrender Of Roanoke Island
to make us feel that 1t was deeply hurhiliat-
ing. however imperfect may have been the
preparations for defence. The hope is still
entertained that our reported losses at Fort
DonelsOn have been greatly exaggerated
lnasmuch as | am not only unwilling but
unable to believe that u large army OF our
people have surrendered without desperate
effort to cut their way through the investing
forces, whatever may have been their num-
Der, and to make junction with other di.
visions Of the army, but in the absence OF
that exact information which can only be
afforded by ofieial reports, it would DO pre-
mature to pass judgment, and my own is re-
served, us trust yours will be, until that in.
formation is received. In the meantime.
strenuous efforts have been made to throw for
ward endorsements to the armies ut posi-
tions threatened and | cannot doubt, the
disappointnents VIC have borne, by moving
the people to still greater exertions, will
speedily secure results more accordant with
our Just expectations, and rs favorable to our
cause as those which marked the early peri.
ode of the war.
The reports of the Secretaries Of War and
the Navy will exhibit the resources for the
conduct Of the war which We have been en-
abled to accumulate. Notwithstanding the
very serious difficulties against which we have
contended, they afford cheering hope that our
resources, limited as they were at the begin
ming of the contest, will during It's progress,
become developed to such an extent Us to iul-
ly meet our future want.
The policy of enlistments for short terms,
against which have steadily commended from
the commencement of the war, has, in my
judgment, contributed, in no immaterial de-
gree, 10 the recent reyerses which we have
suffered, and even now renders it difficult to
furnish YOU an accurate statement Of the ar
nv. When the war first broke out, many
of our people could with difficulty, be per-
suaded that il would be long or serious. II
was not deemed possible that anything so in
sane as persistent attempt to su6jngate these
States could be made, still less that the delu-
sion could so far prevail as to give the war
the vast proportions which it has assumcd.-
The people, incredulous Of long war, were,
naturally, ayerse to long enlistments, and the
early legislation OF Congress rendered it i'm
practicable to obtain volunteers for q greater
period than IL months. Now that it has
become probable that the war will be contin'
ued through series of years, our high.spir-
tied and gallant soldiers, while generally re.
cnlisting, are. from tho fact Of having enter,
ed the service for short time, compelled, in
many instances, to go home to make neccss'
AIRY arrangements for their families during
their prolonged absence. The quota for new
regiments Tor the war, called from the diiler'
ent States. are in npid progress OF organi.
zation. The whole body Of new lcyies and
re-enlisted men will probably be ready in the
ranks within the next thirty days, but in the
meantime it was exceedingly difficult to give
an accurate statement Of the number Of ouI
forces in the field. They may in general
terms be stated ut 400 regiments of infantry,
with proportionate forces Of cavalry and ar'
tillery, the details Of which will be shown
by the report Of the Secretary Of War.
deem il proper to advert to the fact that
the process Of iurloughs and re-cnlstment'
in progress for the last month had 50 Tar dis
organized and wrecked our forces as to i'm.
pair our ability for successful defence; but
hereby congratulate you that this evil, which
had foresccn but was unable TO prevent,
may now be said to DO substantially at an
end, aud we shall not again during the wal
be exposed to seeing our strength diminished
by this frightful source OF disaster. The
people Of the Confederate States being prin.
cipally engaged in agricultural pursuits,
were unproyidcd ut the commencement Of the
war with ships, ship yards and materials for
ship building. or skilled mechanics and sea.
men in sufficient numbers to make the prompt
creation Of navy practical task, even il
the required appropriations had been made
for the purpose. Notwithstanding our very
limited resources, however, the report OF the
Secretary will exhibit to you q very s,tisfac-
tory proportion in preparation, and the GER
tainty OF the near completion Of vessels Of q
number and class on which we may conf
IDENTIFY rely for con,ending the Wanted con.
troll Of the enemy over our waters.
The financial system devised by the Wis