The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-10
Report Of the secretary Of
War.
New York, Dec. g..

of considerable length. It reviews on
victories and passes = high tribute to th
bravery and skill of our troops. He say,
the combined operations Of our army ant
navy against Charleston have not q ye
accomplished what was expected Of them
In Texas, large force, opea.ting unde
Banks, will give protection to the people
of that Stateland cut of chief avenue o.
the rebels for foreign commerce and for
eign aid. The armies Of Lee and Meade
now occupy the same position they DID
at the start.
West Virginia is now clear OF rebels
and the people of the State are enjoying
in comparative peace the blessings Of civil
government.
The rebel forces in Missouri have been
driven beyond the Arkansas river.
No military operations of any magni.
tude have taken place in Virginia or North
Carolina.
The Federal forces are now firmly
planted in every rebel State. The sue.
cess OF our arms during the past year has
enabled the department to make reduc-
ton Of over SsOU, 900, 900 in the estimates
for the ensuing year.
The trouble in regard to the exchange
of prisoners 10 reviewed at length, and
the blame for the non-exchange is thrown
entirely on the rebel authorities.
He alIudes to the good treatment the
rebel prisoners have received at our hands,
and denounces the rebel authorities for
the cruel manner in which they have
treated our prisoners in their hands.
lie then discusses the act of Congress
for enrolling aud calling out the national
forces, and says that the laws have been
enforced in twelve States, yielding So
600 soldiers and $4,000, 600 for procur.
ing substitutes. The $50 clause 10 allu-
ded 70, as are also the conflicting opinions
In regard to its justice and injustice. He
says that large proportion of the troops
whose terms expire next year will re-
enlist, it being stipulated by the Govern
ment that they shall have at least one
months furlough before their present
term expires. The indications are that
the force required WILL in great meas
ure be raised BY volunteering and with
out draft An immediate appropriation
for bounties should be made. He then
ailudes TO the valuable service the Invalid
Corps has rendered to the Government.
The corps DOW numbels &c, 900, officers
aud privates. He says immediately after
the Issuance of the Presidents proclama-
tioh ddigent efforts were commenced and
have continued until the present time for
raising colored troops. $1,000 coored
men are now organized and the plumber
will rapidly increase as our armies ad-
vance.
The freed slaves make good soldiers,
are easily disciplined and are full of cour
age. The slave has proved his manhood
and capability and makes good infantry,
artillery or cavalry soldier, as has been
evidenced on several occasions. The col
ored troops have been allowed no boun-
ties Under the construction given by
the department they can only by the ex-
listing law receive $40 per month for
their services, while white soldiers receive
Sl3, with clothing and daily ration
The fortunes Of war have brought within
our lines large numbers of colored women
and children, and some aged and infrm
people.
A solemn trust rests upon the Govern
ment for their care and protection. The
Adlulant General recommends the term
OF enlistment in the regular service be
fixed at three years instead of FIVE, in ac-
cordarce with the act of 1868, which
exrired by Limitation on the LIST of Jauu-
airy. 1863.
The Secretary gives list of the prin-
cipal ordnance materials in the control of
the department at the beginning of the
war, dc. and the quantities of these arti
Giles which have since been received, and
the quantities of those articles on hand
June both, 1868.
The operations of the Chief Engineer
10 the survey of the Northern and North
western Lakes have been continued, and
during the past season have consisted in
the survey Of Portage City on Lake Su-
peror, and in the survey of Green Bay
and Lake Michigan; also the examinations
Of the channels Of the ST. Clair Flats, and
of ST. George; also of ST. Mary's Riv.
er, DC.
The details of the Quartermaster Gem
erals Department are also given; also the
report of the Commissary General of
subsistence.
1t is believed the troops at every point
have been supplied with an abundance Of
wholesome food
The Paymaster's report and the Act.
ing Surgeons report, with full details,
are also given. A compliment is paid to
the military telegraph and the valuable
services il has rendered to the Govern
ment under the superintendence Of Col.
Stager and Major Eckert After abiding
to some claims against that Department
AID saying that further legislation or a
larger appropriation will be required te
carry them into effect he concludes a.
follows:
l may be permitted to express the hope
that the next annual report from thi!
Department may announce the complet,
overthrow OF the rebellion and the resto
ration of peace and the establishment o
the Union on sure footing in sill thu