Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-13
Oar military Re.oarc.,.

sent into Congress, communicates some inter
esting and most encouraging information in re-
lstion to our military affairs, and presents the
encouraging conclusion that our army is fully
equal, if not superior, in all the elements of
strength, to what it has been at any previous
period of the war. It's numbers, though still
seriously insdequate to fill fully its organiza-
tions, yet afford nearer approximation than
heretofore to that result.
Measures to afford adequate supplies OF ord
nance, arms and munitions for the army have
claimed the earnest attsntion Of the Department..
The increased ssringeney of ths blockade By
the enemy, while it has made ths importation
of sufficient supplies more difficult snd costly.
has at the same time induced moro energetic ef-
forts TO iud and develop all internal resources.
The results, 90 far, are very encouraging. Our
present supplies, the Secretary says, are st least
IS abundant es they have been aE any time past,
aud our prospect for the future more promising.
Two establishments, in addition to the leading
oae heretofore existing at this city for making
ordnance have been founded in interior towns
under the auspices of the Department, one of
which is already in successful operation and tie
other will be in very short time. Thus the Sc
rious anxiety which resulted from dependence
on one establishment, liable TO be interrupted By
casualties or the chances OF war, has besn r5-
moved, and larger provision secured for future
supplies. OF small arms, the Department can
now furnish stores more adequsts to the require-
ments of the army than at any preceding date,
while Of munitions it entertsins now no dread
of deficiency. In these particulars also, by the
encouragement snd establishment of msnufac-
lures within the ConfedeTscy, the Department is
daily becoming less depezdent on foreign sup
ply, and INDUCES the hope that it WILL at no re-
mOse period be able to dispense altogether with
hat reliance.
The most serious embarrassment to be appre-
bended in reference to the ordnance supplies, is
in the deficiency Of iron. Before the var nearly
ali the iron works within the States of the Cor
federscy had lsnguished or decsyed, and from
the sense Of preesriousness in the future and the
scarcity of suitable labor, it has been very diff
cult to establish them in sufficient numbers and
on sp adequate scale to meet the necessities Of
the war. 1t has been necessary that the depart
meut should stimulate enterprise by large ad-
vances and liberal contracts, and likewise con-
tribute BY detsils to the supply of labor. Many
new furnaces have been established, and those
in operation have been enlarged and tempted to
continue more uninterruptedly in blast If TIE
contracts mads with the depas tment are only
fully carried out, it is believed By the Secretary
the supply viii prove adequate, but there are
many difficulties in the prosecution of the work
from the enhancement of all prices, and from the
temptations constantly offered to- contractors to
prefer the superior profits which they can COM
msnd from spectators.
Ths repsrt Of the Secretary with reference to
the question of subsistence, while not alarming,
suggests the most anxious aud uppermost con
sidsrstons of the day. The haTvestS Of the
past season have not generally proved propi-
tious, and Notwithstanding the much larger
breadth Of land devoted to the culture Of cereals
and forage, the product in many extensive dis
fTicts ia the Confederscy is belew the average,
and in some even threatens scarcity. The cost
and want of tFansporta ION make difficult the
collection, distribution and equalization Of such
products In addition, the rsvzges of war, pros
ecuted by orr malignant enemies in shameful
violation of al civilized usages for the ends Of
rRpine or destruction have dssolatsd consider
able districts of fertile country. The districts
thus devastated have bean, too, mainly those
which have heretofore afforded the largest sup
plies of meat The rearing of animals for food
has been since tie war generally increased
throughout tic ConfedeTscy, and from other dis
tricts larger supplies than heretofore msy
be expected. Sill the scarcity Of grain and
forage must check considerably this increased
production, and render adequate supplies for
the futaTe more doubtful.
Il may be added that one grave cause Of diff
Guilty in Che procurement of supplies IS the in
fatlon OF the currency. This inhstion hes
caused great enhancement of all prices, aad
inspired general and inordinate spirit Of specu-
lation. As the cause Of enhancement has been
and must be continuous, being the necessary
issue of treasury notes. so the increase in prices
has been, and without check from legislation
must be, steadily progressive. This is 50 un-
derstood or has been so experienced by ali
classes, that there is the strongest repugsance
on the part of all having necessary supplies to
sell to part with them atthe exaggerated carrent
rates, from the conviction that longer holding
viii assure still higher prices. This motive is
so influential and general, that If is next to i'm
possible to supply the necessities Of the govern
ment at fair prices, or by voluntary contracts.