The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-12-26
synopsis of the Report of the Secretar,
sr of War v~ Il

anu VI our ITOOpSs says tue COM
bined operation of our army and navy
against Charleston have not as yet accom-
plished what was expected of them. In
Texas a large force is operating under Banks
and viii give protection to the people of
that State, and cut off chief avenue of the
rebels for foreign commerce and foreign aid
The armies of, Lee and Meade now occupy
relatively the same positions as they did at
I the date of the last annual report. Western
Virginia is now clear of rebels, and the
people of that State are enjoying compara-
tire peace and the blessings of civil gov
eminent. a-r6.r $50 stasg
The rebel forces in Missouri have been.
driven beyond the Arkansas river. No
military operations of any magnitude have
taken place in Virginia or North Carolina
The Federal forces are now firmly planted
in every rebel State. ,.J -. s.. s
The success of our armies during the
past year has enabled the Department to
make reduction of over $500, 900, 900 IN
the estimates of the ensuing year.
The trouble in regard to the exchange of
prisoners is reviewed at length, aud the
blame for the non -exchange IS thrown en-
tirely upon the rebel authorities.
r. He alludes to the good treatment the reb
ell prisoners have received at our hands, and
denounces the rebel authorities for the cruel
manner in which they haYe treated our
prisoners in their hands. He then dis
cusses the acts of Congress for enrolling
and calling out the national forces, and says
that the law has been enforced in twelve
States, yielding $4,000 soldiers and $1O,-
900, 900 for procuring substitutes. The
$500 clause is alluded to, as are also the
/ conflicting opinions in regard to its justice
and injustice.
He says large proportion of the troops
whose terms expire next year will re- enlist,
it being stipulated by the Government, that
they shall have at least one months fur
Tough before their present term expires.
The indications are that the force re-
quired will, in a great measure, be raised
! by volunteering and without draft. An
immediate appropriation for bounties should
be made. He then alludes to the valuable
service the invalid corps has rendered to
the Government, The corps now numbers
900 officers and privates. He says, I'M
mediately after the issuance of the Presi-
dents proclamation general efforts were
commenced and have continued until the
present time, for raising colored troops.
Fifty thousand colored men are now organ
izing, and the number will rapidly increase
as our armies advance.
The freed slaves make good soldiers, are
easily disciplined, and are full of courage.
The slave has proved his manhood and ca
pacity, and makes good infantry, artillery,
or cavalry soldier, as has been evidenced on
several occasions.
The colored troops have been allowed no
bounties under the instructions given by
this Department. They can only, by the
existing law, receive ten dollars per month
for their services, while soldiers receive
thirteen dollars, with clothing and daily
ration.
The fortunes of war have brought within
our lines large plumbers of colored women
and children, and some aged and infrm per-
sons. A solemn trust rests upon the Gov
eminent for their care and protection.
The Adiutant General recommends that
the term of enlistment in the regular ser
vice be fixed at three years instead of FIVE.
in accordance with the act of 1861, which
exp:s.5 - Limitation on the 1st of January,
1864.
The Secretary gives list IF the princi-
pal ordnance material in the coptrol of the
Department at the beginning OF the war,
and the quantities of these articles which
have since been procured. and the qUautities
of those articles on hand June 3Otb, 1868
The figures are immense.
The operations of the Chief Engineer
connected with the survey of the Norther,
and North western Lakes have been contn
Iued. and during the past season have con
, sisted in the survey of postage entry oil
[ 7 a. -
of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, also tn
f examination of the channels of the St
Clair Flats and S.. Georges, also of Mary
river, &c.
The details of the Quartermaster Gene
rails Department are also given, also tn
report Of the Commissary General of Sub
sistence.
: 1t is believed that the troops at ever
point have been supplied with an abundanc
of wholesome food, and that Il, in the move
e ment of the armies temporarily, want hs
e been felt, it has not been due to any wan
i Iof foresight or attention on the part of tn
/ Commissary Generals Department.
i The Paymaster's report and the Actin
Surgeon Generals report, with full detail;
are also given.
d a compliment is paid to the military tel
IS egFaph and the valuable service it has rer
e dered the Government under the superin
/. tendency of Col. Arson Stager and Majc
' Eckert.
a After abiding to some claims against tai
Department, and saying that further legi
lation OF larger appropriation will be r
IS quired to carry them into effect, he col
/ cludes as follows: 1 may be permitted
h express the hope that the next annual repo
lie from this Department may announce Il
complete overthrow of the rebellion, ar
the restoration of peace, and the establish
st ment of the Union on sure foundation
at all the bounds of the United States.
a.