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

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investing forces, whatever may have been their
numbers, and to cndeavor to make junction
with other divisions Of the army. But in the
absence of that exact information, which ean
only be afforded by official reports, it would be
premature to pass Judgment, and my own is
reserved, as trust yours will bo, until that in
formation is received. In the meantime, siren
uous efforts have been made to throw forward
reinforcements to the armies at positions threat
ened, and | cannot doubt the bitter disappoint-
ments we have borne, by ncrving the people to
still greater exertions, will speedily secure re-
suits more accordant with our Interpretations,
and as favorable to our cause, rs those which
marked the earlier period of the war.
| The reports of the Secretaries Of War ana
Navy will exhibit the mass Of resources for the
conduct of the war, which we have been ena-
bled to accumulate, notwithstanding the very
serious difficulties against which we have CON
tended. They afford cheering hope that our
resources, limited as they were at the beginning
OF the contest, during its progress, became de-
veloped to such an extent as 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 imma-
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, many of
our people could with difficulty be persuaded
that it would be long or serious. 1t was not
deemed possible that anything so insane as a
persistent attempt to snbjugate these States
could be made; still less that the delusion could
so tar prevail as to give to the war the vastpro-
portions which ii has assumed. The people,
incredulous OF along war, were naturally averse
to long enlistments, and the early legislation of
Congress rendered it impraetcable to obtain
volunteers for greater period than twelve
months Now that it has become probable that
the war will be continued through series of
years, our high-spirited and gallant soldiers,
while generally reenlisting, are, from the fact
of having entered the service for short term
compelled in many instances to gohome to make
necessary arrangements for their families during
their prolonged absence. The quotas of new
regiments for the war, called for from the diff
ferent States, are in rapid progress Of organiza-
ton. The whole body of new evies and re-en-
listed mon will probably be ready in the ranks
within the next thirty days. But, in the mean
time, it is exceedingly difficult to give an accu-
the field.
They may in general terms be stated at four
hundred regiments of infantry, with proper
tomato forces of cavalry. and artillery, the de-
tails OF which will be shown by the report Of
the Secretary of War. / deem it proper to adj
vert to the fact that the process of fiwloughs
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 foreseen and was powerless to prevent
may now be said to be substantially Mt an end
and that we shall not again, during the war, be
exposed to seeing our strength diminished by
this fruitful cause of disaser-short enlstments
The people of the Confederate States being
principally engaged in agricultural pursuits,
were unprovided at the commencement of hos
tilites, with ships, ship yards, materials for ship
building or skilled mechanics and seamen, in
sufficient numbers to make the prompt creation
of navy practical task, even if the required
appropriations had been made for the purpose
Notwithstanding our very limited resources,
however, the report of the Secretary will exhibit
to you satisfactory proportion in preparation,
and certainly Of the near completion of vessels
of q number and class, on which we may con-
fidently rely for contesting the vaunted control
Of the enemy over our waters.
The financial system devised by the wisdom
of your predecessors has proved adequate to
supplying all the wants of the Government not
withstanding the unexpected and very large in
crease of expenditure, resulting from great
augmentation in the necessary means of defence
The report Of the Secretary of the Treasury
will exhibit the gratifying fact that we have no
floating debt that the credit of the Government
is unimpaired and that the total expenditure
for the year has been, in round numbers, one
hundred and seventy millions of dollars, less
than one-third of the sum wasted by the enc
my, in his vain effort to conquer u.s. less than
the value of single article of export-thc cot
ton crop of the year.
The report Of the Postmastcr-Genera will
show the condition of that department to be
steadily improving, its revenue increasing, and
already ahortling assurances that it will be
selt-sustained at the date required by the Con-
stitution, while affording ample mail facilities
for the people.
In the Department of Justice, which includes
the Patent Office and Public Printing, some
legislative provisions will be required, which |
will be specifically stated in the report of the
head of that department.
/ invite the attention of Congress to the lu-
ty OF organizing Supreme Court of the Con-
federate States, in accordance with the mandate |
of the Constitution
l refer you to my message, communicated to
the Provisional Congress in November last for
such further information touching the condition
OF public affairs as it might be useful to lay be-
fore you, the short interval which has elasped
since not having produced nymaterial changes
IN that condition other than those to which ref
erence has already been made.