Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-24
Abstract of the Reports of Departments.

Secretary Stanton rapidly reviews the more
important military operations of the wear,
referring especially to the victories of Stone
River, Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Port Hud-
son, the operations in Tennessee, the recent
splendid successes of Gen. Grant before Chat
tanooga, the opening of the Mississippi and
territorial division of the Rebel Confederacy,
the campaign of Gen Burnside in East Ten
nessee and his gallant defense of Knoxville,
the occupation OF the western frontier of
Texas, and the probable restoration of the
State. The armies in Virginia are relatively
IN about the same position as last year, and
Chelr campaigns have resulted in nearly equal
losses. But the general success of the year
is so great that the Department is able to
reduce its estimates for the ensuing year more
than 100000, 900.
The present suspension of the exchange of
prisoners is due to the bad faith of the rebels
i'll putting the paroled Vicksburg and Port
Hudson prisoners into the field before they
were exchanged, and to the refusal to recog-
nize colorcd troops as prisoners of war. The
rebels are attempting by barbarOus treatment
OF our prisoners to compel the Government
TO exchange 10000 for l3,O00 and to leave
our colOred troops to rebel mercy If neces-
sary for the protection of our soldiers, strict
retaliation in the treatment of prisoners will
be resorted to.
The enrolment act has been enforced in
-welye States producing $4,000 soldiers, and
SlO,0OO,O0O. The act is imperfect, but can
be made efficient means for recruiting the
National forces. No decisive opinion is ex-
pressed on the $500 Communication clause A
large proportion of veterans will re-enlist,
and the required forces will in a great meas
urc be raised by volunteering An Immediate
appropriation for bounties should be made
The invalid corps, organized to give honor
able employment to partially disabled officers
and soldiers, numbers over 10000, and is in
all respects a success.
Colored troops have been diligently enlist
ed $4,000 are now in service, and their
numbers rapidly increase. Their courage
and capacity have been amply proved at Mil
liken's Bend, Port Hudson and Fort Wagner;
and more recently negro cavalry, III the va
700 Valley, routed a superior force of rebels.
These troops have been allowed no bounty,
and are paid but ten dollars a month"; dis
tincton which is unequal and unjust, and to
remove which an amendment of the law is
recommended The colored women and chill
dren, and the aged and infirm, should be pro-
vided for by Government.
Some matters in the Adjutant Generals
Office are briefly touched 4 system of exact
accountability, in leave of absence eases, has
been established. The ordnance expenses for
the year have been $40, 3l3, 63O.2l. During
the same period l,577 cannon, ,0S2, 81 mus
kcts and rifles, 2S2, 3S9 carbncs and pistols
,295, 900 cannon shot and shell, 1878, S62
pounds of lead and bullets, ,435 ,O46 artillery
cartridges, 259,022 PIG cartridges for small
arms, and other munitions i'll proportion have
been purchased. 4 tabular abstract is given
The domestic manufacture of arms and mu-
nitlons has greatly increased and improved
SO Of the materials used; wrought iron, for
instance, being now made in America supc-
rlor to that imported Two millions of dol
lars should be approx rated ior supplying the
State militias with arms. Seal GARD and Dor
der Notifications have been put during the
year in Il much stronger defensive condition.
Vacancies from the rebel States in the Mill
tary Academy at West Point have been sup
Piled from the loyal States. A report con-
ccrnlng the Academy is annexed. The sur
yeys of the Northern and Northwestern Lakes
have been actively continued, and report is
expected on the defensive works required to
guard the lake shores.
For details of operations in the Quarter
master-GcncraTs Department, reference is
made to his report a cavalry Bureau for
tire supply of horses has been established
The Commssary- Generals office has kept the
army at all points supplied with abundance
of wholesome food, and has also furnished
subsistence to prisoners, contrabands in great
numbers, and to suffering. UniOnists i'll rebel
States. The armies have been paid with
few exceptions, to Oct. 81, of the present
year, the latest period allowed by law. There
are lS2 general hospitals, containing Si,4!2
beds. The number of PATIENTS June 80, in
the general hospitals was 81 per cent, and in
the field A per cent, of the whole strength
OF the army, OF whom | / per cent. are wound
ed and 2.5 per cent. sick. BY the system of
inspectors the medical and hospital service
has been greatly improved. The health of
the troops has been good, and their mortality
less than last year The Signal Corps is diff
tcrently valued by different Generals, but its
continuance is recommended with proper re-
striotions. The Military Telegraph has been
of inestimable value. On the 18th of July,
1862, there were S,57l miles of land and sub
marine lines, and during the year l 1855 miles
were constructed, making Il total of 1926
miles III operation 1t is estimated that
100000 kilograms have been sent within
the year, varying in length from ten to
thousand words.
Commissioners under act of Congress have
reported that $500, 6l2 are due to officers and
men actually employed in the Western De
",
bounty, and pensions. An appropriation to
that amount is recommended. Other large
classes of claims require Congressional lcgis-
lation for their adjustment and payment. The
Judge Acknowledgement and his assistants
have been dllgent and successful in the de-
lection and prevention of military crimes and
frauds. The office demands an enlargement
of its facilities. During fourteen months
1887 military trials were reviewed, and
2,490 reports issued. Credit is given by the
Secretary to the Chiefs of Bureau in the War
Department for their efficiency, and the re-
port concludes with the hope that another
year will see the rebellion completely over
thrown.
TIE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The Secretary of the Navy opens his re
port with review of the blockade during the
past year-a blockade unparalleled in point
OF extent, tor 1t covers, according to an ac-
curate table of measurement prepared at the
Coast Survey Office, a distance of 3.549
statute miles, with lS9 harbor or river OPEN
ings, or indentations. The blockade is be-
coming more effective and complete. Pro
gress has been made in repelling the Rebels
from the coast and circumscribing their
limits.
The North Atlantic Squadron has so eff
GENTLY penetrated, watched and guarded the
rivers of Virginia, the sounds of North Caro-
lima and the entire coast, as to cut off all in
tercourse with the rebels, with the single ex-
ceptlon OF the port of Wilmington, to close
which has been difficult from its two inlets.
thirty miles apart, thanked BY extensive bat
teries. Some fast steamers have, under the
cover of darkness, succeeded in eluding cap
ture, but most even of that description of
vessels have fallen into orr hands or hoo,,