The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-12
Report OF the Secretary Of War
On the Military Operations OF thc Year.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.

calamltles OccaslOneu Dy the reDellou, an
earnest and deep sympathy has been mani
tested by the loyal citizens Of the Pacific
States in support of the Union.
From a survey Of the whole field Of opera.
tions the Secretary says that 1t Is apparent
that whatever disasters our arms may have
suffered at particular points. great allow
ance has been made since tho commence.
ment of the war. The Union forces are
now in the field under able commanders,
stronger than ever, and resolute and eager to
be led against the enemy, and to crush the
rebellion by vigorous winter campaign.
The armies Of the Potomac and the West
stand ready to vie with each other In deal
ing the quickest and heaviest blows against
the enemy. Taught by experience ot the
ruin of inaction. of hazard. Of delay, u spir-
il of earnest activity seems to peryade the
forces OF the United States beyond what has
hitherto been exhibited in the numerous
battles and engagements that have occurred.
Our armies in general have displayed the
courage and determination that should in
spire officers and soldiers fighting in defense
of their Government.
Under the calls of July and August there
are already in the field over 100000 new
troops. Of which 399 900 are volunteers,
332 900 of whom have volunteered for three
years, or the war. II will be remembered
that the call was made at one OF those
periods Of dependency which occur in every
national struggle.
A chief hope of those who set the rebel
lion on foot was for aid and comfort from
disloyal sympathizers in the Northern States.
whose efforts were relied upon to divide and
distract tho people Of the North and prevent
them from putting forth their whole strength
to preserve the national existence.
The call for volunteers and draft OF the
militia afforded an occasion for dlsloyal per-
sons to accomplish their evil purposes by
discouraging enlistments and encouraging
opposition TO the war and the draft OF soldiers
to carry 1t on. Anxiety was felt in some OF
the States at the probable success OF these
dlsloyal practices, and the government was
urged to adopt measures OF protection bby
the temporary restraint Of those engaged in
these hostile acts.
To that end Provost Marshals were ap-
pointed in some States upon nomination OF
their Governors. to act under direction OF
the State Executive, and the writ Of habeas
corpus was suspended by our order. by or.
der of the War Department arrests were for
hidden unless authorized by the State Ex.
ecutiyo or Judge Advocate. Some instances
of unauthorized arrests have occurred. and
whom brought to tho notice OF tho Depart
ment the parties have been Immediately re.
leased.
By recent order all persons arrested for
discouraging enlistments. or Tor disloyal
practices, in the States where the quotas OF
volunteers and militia are filed up, have
been released. Other persons arrested by
military commanders and sent from Depart.
ments where their presence was deemed
dangerous to the public safety, have been
discharged upon parole to be Of good be-
havior and do no act Of hostility against the
Government of the United States.
While military arrests of disloyal persons
form the subject Of complaint in some States.
the discharge Of such persons is complained
of in other States. II has been the aim OF
the Department to avoid any encroachments
upon individual rights rs far as might be
consistent with the public safety. But re-
nectipg minds will perceive that no greater
encouragement can be given to the enemy,
no more dangerous act OF hostility can be
perpretrated in this war than Efforts to pre-
vent recruiting and cnlisting for the armies
upon whose strength depends the existence
OF the Nation.
The expectations of the rebel leader, and
their sympathizers in the loyal States that
the call of volunteers would not be answered
and that the draft could not bo enforced,
have failed. and nothing is left but to clamor
at the means by which their hopes were frus-
trated, and to strive to disarn the Govern.
ment in future if in the chances Of war
another occasion for increasing the military
forces should arise. Beside aiding the State
authorities respecting the draft and enlist
ments another important duty is assigned to
Provost Marshals.
The army returns and the report Of the
General.in Chief shows that large number
of officers and enlisted soldiers were absent
from their posts. The pursuit of such per-
sons and their compulsory return to duty Is
a necessary measure OF a Provost Marshal,
and such number OF them as may DO 70.
quired for that purpose will in future be re-
tained in the service.
The pay and bounty allowed by acts OF
Congress to recruits have offered strJng
temptations to practice fraud upon the Gov
eminent by false returns on the muster rolls
and false charges for subsistence. Diligent
efforts ara being made for the detection OF all
such practices, and to bring the guilty pir-
ties, some of whom have held responsible
stations in society, before a proper civil mill
itary tribunal as soon as the necessary pre-
liminary investigation by the Judge Advo- |
cate can he completed. The same course is
being pursued in regard to fraudulent con-
tractors and dlsbursing officers.
The expenditures flr enlistments. recruit.
ing. drilling and subsistence OF volunteers.
regulars and militia amount to the sun OF
500, ,692. .2s2 90. -s
The general acquiescence OF oil the loyal
States In the measures deemed necessary to
strengthen the armies and prosecute tho war,
at every hazard, to final success. proves the
RIiclity OF the people to the government and
their determination to maintain It's unity
and uphold its authority over the whole ter
ritory of the United States. The Secretary
,ays that experience has shown that serious
defects exist In the militia law. which should
bc promptly remedicd. The laws relative to
volunteers also need amendment. Tho views
,f the Department on these subjects will be
to tho appropriate commit.
lees Of Congress.
II will be seen that the Quartcrmasters de.
partment, upon which under the law OF the
18th Of July, providing for the employment
,f colored persons, the charge OF such per.
IONS is chiefly imposed, has not found itself
,urdened with their care. but that 1t has. on
he contrary. derived valuable aid from their
abor, and in considerable portion OF its