New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-01
JEFF. DAVIS'S ANNUAL MESSAGE.
A DOIEfUL STATEMENT OF M!SHAPS.
IMPLIED CENSURE OF REBEL COWaRDlCE.
Like FaIStan, He Adopts Large Estimates
GREAT CAPACITY OF THEIR FINANCIAL SYSTEM.

10 The Rebel Congress:
To the Ssaaf. and House Of R.rrs'etdtirs Of ne CoJee
rae States d.
In obedience to the constitutional provision requi
ing the President from time to time to give to Coz
gress information Of the state OF the Confederacy
and recommend for their consideration such measure
as he shal judge necessary and expedient, have
communicate that since the message at the last res
sion of the Provisional Congress- events have demon
straed that the Government had attempted NOR
than il had power successfuy to achieve. Hence
in the effort to protect, by arms, the whole terri
tory of the Confederate States, seaboard and inland
we have been 80 exposed as recently to encounte
serious disasters. When the Confederacy wal
formed the States comprising it were in the Pc
culiar character Of their pursuits, and mis-
placed confidence in their former associates, 10
great extent, destitute OF the means for the prosecu
ton of the war on 80 gigantic a scale as that to
which it has attained. The workshops and artists
were mainly to be found 10 the Northern States aud
of the first duties which devolved upon this Gov.
eminent was TO establish the necessary manufac-
tories, and in the mean time, 10 obtain, by purchase
from abroad, far practicable whatever was re-
CURED for the public defense. No effort has been
spared to effect both these ends, and, though the
suits have not equaled hOpes, it is believed that
an impartial Judgment 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 accomplish.
The valor and devotion of the people have not only
sustained the efforts OF the Government but have
gone far to supply lie Deficiencies. The scive state
Of military preparations among the nations of Europe
in April last the date when our agents fret went
abroad, rposed unavoidable delays in the procure
ment of arms, aud the want of navy has greatly
impeded our efforts 20 import military supplies Of all
sOrts.
have hoped for several days TO receive the official
reports in relation to our diecom!ture at Roanoke
Island and the fall OF Fort DoDelson.
They have not yet reached me, and am therefore
unable TO communicate TO you such Information OF
past events and consequences resulting from them,
az would enable me 10 make recommendations
founded UPON the changed condition which they have
Enough is known OF the surrender Of
Roanoke Island to make us feel that it wss deeply
humiiaiing, however imperfect may have been the
for defense. The hope IL still enter
faued that our reported los.es Fort Donelson have
been greatly exaggerated, inasmuch as ] am not
only unwilling but unable TO believe that large
army Of orr people have surrendered without des-
rerate effort to Gu, their way through the investing
forces. Whatever may have been their numbers, aud
to endenvor to make junction with other divisions
NJ the army But in the absence Of that exact in
which can only be afforded by official re-
IN nd
nv own is reserved as trust yours will be, until
that information sreceiyed In the meantime siren
nous efforts have been made TO throw forward re-
endorsements to the armies at positions threatened;
and cannot doub, the bitter dsappointments we
have borne. by nerving the people to sill greater
exer;ions, viii speedily secure results more accord
ant with our just expectations, and a. favorable TO
our oause a. those which marked the earlier period
Of the war.
The report. Of the Secretaries Of War and Navy
will exhibit the OF FOX the conduc. OF
the war, which we have been enabled 10 accumulate
the very FERROUS difficulties against
which we have contended. They aiIsrdcbeering hope
that our resources limited as they Were ut the be.
ginning Of the contes., VIII. during its progress be-
come developed TO such extent fully to meet our
future wants. The policy of enlistment for short
terms, against which / have steadily coniended from
the commencement Of the war, has, in NY judgment,
contributed in no immAteral degree, Ia the recent
rever-es which We have suffered, and even now rem
ders il difficult to furnish you Al accurate statement
Of tue army.
When the war first broke out, many Of our people
could with difficulty be persuaded that it would be
1. To-
ANYTHING - insane ~ persistint attempt to sub
iuqate these States could be made still less that the
deusion could 40 far prevail as 10 give TO the war the
wat PROPORTIONS which it has assumed The people,
iucreduous of long WAT, were naturally ayerso to
ong enistmenls, and tho early legislation of Con-
gress rendered i. mpraticable TO obtain volunteers
Tor greater period thsn II months.
Now that it la. become probable that the war W i'll
bs continued through a series Of years our high
spirited and gallant soldiers. while generally re-
enli,tins are. from the fact of having entered the
seryice Ior short term compelled in many instances
70 20 homo 20 make necessary arrangements for
their families during their prolonged Absence. The
Quota Of new regiments for tie war; callei for from
the different States, are IN rapid progress OF orgsn-
zation The whole body Of new levies snd re-
enlisted men will probably be ready in The ranks
within the next 30 days. But in the meantime, ii is
exceedingly diEcut 10 give sn accurate estimate Of
the number OF our forces in the heid
They may, in general terms, b. stated at 100 rogi.
ments OF infantry, with prOporionate forces of cav
airy and artillery, he details of which will be Shown
by the report of the Secretary of War. | deem it
proper TO advert the fact that the process OF fur
loughs and reenlittmcut in progress for the last
month bad 80 far disorgani1ei and weakened our
forces ~ to impair ab, for successful defense;
t,t IrahV cnnpratul,t., xou thar this oV,l Iyhi,