The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-03-07

numbers, and to endeagor TO make q Junction
! with other divisions Of the army But in the
/ absence Of that exact information, which can
only be afforded by official reports, it woall he
premature to pass judgment, and my own Is
reserved, as | trust yours viii be, until that M
| formation is received. In the meantime, stien-
uous efforts have been made TO throw forward
reinforceinents to the armies at positions threat
ened, and / cannot doubt the bitter disappoint-
ments we have borne, by nerying the people to
still greater exertions, win speedily secure re-
suits more accorJlant with our just expectations,
and as favorable to our cause, rs those which
marked the earlier period Of the war
/ The reports of the Secretaries of War aud
Navy viii exhibit the mass Of resources for the
conduct of the war, which we have been cna-
bled to accumulate, Notwithstanding the very
serious difficulties against which we liaYe con
tended. They afford cheering hope that our
resources, limited as they were at the beginning
/ OF the contest, during It's progress, became de-
yeloped to such an extent rs fully to meet our
future wants. The policy Of enlistment FOR
short terms, against which have steadily con-
/ tended from the commencement OF the war,
/ has, in my judgment, contributed, in no inlmu-
terial degree, to the recent reverses which we
have suffered, and even now renders it difficult
/ TO furnish you an accurate statement Of the
/ army When the war first broke out, inany Of
our people could with difficulty be persuaded
that ii would be long or serious. IT was not
deemed possible that anything so insane as a
| persistent attempt to suhiugata these States
could be made; still less that the 9elusion could
so far prevail rs to give 70 the war the vast pro-
portions which it has assumed. The people,
ineredulous Of long war. were naturally aycrse
to long enIistments, and the early legislation Of
Congress rendered il impracticable to obtain
volunteers for greater period than twelve
months Now that it has become probable that
the war VIII be continued through series Of
years, our higil-spirited and gallant soldiers,
while generally reenlsting, are from the fact
Of having entered the service for short term.
compelled unany instances TO goholnc to make
necessary arrangements for their families during
their prolonged absence. The quotas of new
regiments for the war, called for from The diff
terent States, are in rapid progress Of oreanis-
ton. The whole body OF new leyies and ra-cn-
listed men viii probably be ready IN the ranks
within the next thirty days. But, in the mean
time, it Is exceedingly difficult to give an accu-
rate statement Of the number of our forces in
the field
They may IN general terms be stated Il; four
hundred regiments -sof iIlf4ptry, with proper
tionate forces Of cavalry and artillery, the dc
tails Of which viii be shown bv the repor, of
the Secretary of War. I deem il proper to ad-
Vert TO the fact that the process of furloErhs
and re-enlistment in progress for the last month
| had so far disorganized and weakened our forces
as TO impair our ability for successful defence.
but hereby congratulate you this evil, which
/ had toreseen and was poweTleSs 10 prevent
may now be said to be substantially at an end
and that we shall not again during the Bar. be
( exposed TO seeing our strength diminished by
this fruitful cause Of disaster-saort enlistments
The people Of the Confederate States being
principally engaged IN agricultural pursuits
, were unprovitled at the commencement of hos
ttics, with ships, ship yards, materials for ship
building or skilled mechanics and seanen. in
/ sufficient numbers TO make the prompt creation
OF navy a practical task, even Il the required
appropriations had been made for the purpose
Notwithstanding our very limited resources,
however, the report of the Secretary viii exhibit
to You a satisfactory proportion in preparation.
and certainly Of the near completion Of vessels
OF a number and class, on which we m3v con-
lidentlF rely for contcsting the yauntod control
Of the enemy over our waters.
The financial system devised by the wisdom
of your predecessors has proved adequate to
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IN III. a., ,t;e-.e
aa+;,l, l',. t M I:t .I, c ~,
a. 10 tI,o 81 l:t
g., +l,n 80, ha -, :; -
hundred and savept, ,oiIIiors of ,ollars loss
than one-thirI Of the sum wasted hy tba one
NV in his vain effort n concn,ar ms. 1aes tl,a-
the value Of 4 single article Of c1port--tbc cof-