Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-12-25

important military opcrbtions Of the year, refer
ing especially 10 the victories Of Stone River,
Gettysburg. Vicksburg, and Port Hudson, The
| operations in Tennessee the recent splendid
suecsssas Of Cen. 0rsnt before chatfapoaga. the
opening Of the Mississippi snd territorial divis.
ion Of the Rebel Cobfedefacy, the campaign Of
| Gen. Burnside In East Tennessee and his gal.
liant defense Of Knoxville, the occupation fwos-
tern frontier Of Texas, and the proheblo restora-
ton Of the State. The armies in Virginia arc
relatively in about the same position a. last
year, and their campaigns have resulted in near
ly equal losses. But the general success Of the
year is so great that the Department Is able 10
reduce lis estimates for the ensuing year more
than e20O,0OO,OOO0.
The present suspension Of the exchange Of
prisoners is due to the bad faith Of the Rebels
in putting the paroled Vicksburg and Port Hud-
son prisoners into the field before they were ez-
changed, and TO the refusal TO recognize colored
troops as prisoners of war. The Rebels are at
tempting by bafbarous treatment OF our prison.
ers to compel the Government to exchange 4O,-
900 for 10000, and 10 leave our colored troops
to Rebel mercy. Unnecessary for the protection
Of our soldiers strict retaliation in the treatment
Of prisoners will be rcsortcd to.
The Enrolment act has been enforced in
twelve States, producing 10000 soldiers and
$l0000,000. The act is imperfect but can be
made an efficient means for recruiting the Ma
tional forces. No decisive opinion Is expressed
OH tne BJUO CDInnluIntlOn Clause. "A large pro-
portion Of veterans will re-enlist, and the re-
qured forces will in great measure be raiscd
by volunteering. An immediate appropriation
for bounties shouldbe made The invalid corps,
organized TO givebonorable employment to par
tally disabled officers and soldiers, numbers
over 10000, and is in all respects a success.
Colored troops have been diligently enlisted,
$4,000 are now in service, and their numbers
rapidly increase. Their courage and capacity
have been amply proved at Milliken's Bend,
Port Hudson, and Fort Wagner; and more re-
Gently negro cavalry, in Yazoo Valley, routed
superior force of Rebels. These troops have been
| allowed no bounty, and are paid but ten dollars
month-a distinction which is unequal and un-
Just, and to remove which amendment Of the
law s recommended. The colOred women and
children, and the aged and infirm should be
provided for by Government.
Some matters in the Adjutant- Generals office
are briefly touched. Asystem of exact account-
ability in leave of absence cases, has been es-
tablished The ordnance expenses for the year
have been $42313630 81. During the same
period SIT cannon i 0S2, Sal muskets and rifles,
| 2S2,389 carbines and pistols, 1,295000 cannon
shot and SHE'LL 48,7l9,s62 pounds of lead and
bullets, l,435046 artillery cartridges, 59,022-
DIG cartridges for small l-arms, and Other muni-
tions have been purchased. A tabular abstract
is given. The domestic manufacture Of arms
and munitions has greatly increased and im-
proved. So Of the materials used; wrought iron
for instance, being made in America superior TO
that imported. Two millions of dollars should
be appropriated for supplying the State militas
with arms. Seaboard and border Notifications
have been put during the year in a much strong
er defensive condition. Vacancies from the
Rebel States in the Military Academy at West
Point have been supplied from the loyal States.
A report concerning the Academy is annexed.
The surveys of the Northern and North West
ern Lakes have been actively continued, and
;u ovpariad on fho dafapSiya
quired to guard the lake shores.
For details of operations in the Quartcrmas-
ter Generals Department reference is made to
, his report. A Cavalry Bureau for the supply
of horses has been established. The Commits
sary Generals Office has kept the army at all
points supplied with abundance of wholesome
food, and has also furnished subsistence to pris-
oners contrabands in great numbers, and to suf-
fering Uniouists in Rebel States. The armies
have been paid, with few excepticns, to Oct 81
Of the present year, the latest period allowed by
; law. There are l82 general hospitals, contain
ing 81, 472 beds. The number of patients, June
30 in the general hospitals was 81 per cent. and
in the field 44per cent. of the whole strength of
the army, of whomlil per cent. are wounded and
2. 5 per cent sick. By the system of inspectors
the medical and hospital service has been great
ly improved. The health of the troops has been
good, and their mortality less than fast year
The Signal Corps is differently valued by differ
ent Generals, but its continuance IA recommend
ed with proper restrictions The Military Tel
egraph has been of nestimable value. On the
18th of july 1869, there were 3,57I miles of
land and submarine lines, and during the year
1855 miles were constructed, making total Of
1896 miles in 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 $8006l2 are due 10 officers and