Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-12-24
RUTLAND HERALD.
The Department Rcuorss.
THURSDAY, DEC. "a, 1868.


and business like document. He opens
with briet glance at the operations of
the year, and oongratulates the country
spoD our military achievements, the bril-
nancy Of which, he says, has not been
surpassed in any age. The forces OF the
National Government. are new planted on
the soil Of every rebel state.
Ihereport the victories of Stone
River, Gettysburg, Port Hudson, Chatta-
nooga, and the occupation of East Tennes-
see payinga high tribute to the bravery
and skill of our troops. The secretary
says the combined operations of our army
and navy against Charleston have not
as yet accomplished what was expec-
led Of them. In Texas the large force,
operating under Gen Banks, will give pro-
lection to the people Of that state and cut
-H off the chief avenue Of the rebels for for
eign commerce and foreign aid. The VIC
tory Of Gen Meade in June last, at Get
tysburg destroyed the expectations of the
rebels to transfer the matter of war from
theirsown soil TO ours, and the armies of
Lee end Meade now occupy relatively the
al same positions as they did at the date of
the last annual report. West Virginia is
now clear of rebels, and the people of that
state are enjoying, in comparative peace,
the blessings of civil government.
In the Northwest department the In
dams have been routed out, and the peo-
pile of that section, under the protection
81 of our soldiers, are free from further In
dian barbarties. 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
7"1 forces are now firmly plantedin every reb-
ell state.
The success of our armies during the
past year has enabled the department tc
make reduction of over S2,00o,O00 II
the estimates for the ensuing year.
The trouble in regard to the exchange
Of prisoners is reviewed at length and the
blame for the non-exchange thrown en-
hrely upon the rebel authorities. He al
lHtes to the good treatment the rebel pris
oners have received at our hands, and de-
nounces the rebel authorities for the crue
manner in which they have treated oul
prisoners in their hands.
He then discusses the act of Congress
Tor enrolling and calling out the nationa
forces, and says that the law has beer
enforced in twelve states, Welding fifty
thousand soldiers and ten millions of dol
lars for procuring substitutes. The tire
hundred dollar clause is alluded to, as ar
also the conflicting opinions in regard t
it's justice and injustice.
He says that a large proportion OF tn
troops whose terms expire next year vii
ye-enlist, ii being stipulated by the gov
eminent that they shall have at least on
months furough before their present term
expire. The indications are that the fore
required will in great measure, be raise
by volunteering and without draft, an
an Immediate appropriation for bounte
should be made.
He then alludes to the valuable service
the Invalid corps have rendered to tn
government in doing duty, in acting a
depot and prison guard, arresting deserter
and skulkers, and in allowing able bodie
men to take the field. The corps no,
numbers 10000 officers and privates.
He says that Immediately after the is
SUNG of the presidents proclamation, di
hgent efforts were commenced and contin
ued until the present time for raising col
q cred troops. The adjutant general wa
sent to Mississippi to organize the slave
there. Fifty thousand colored troops ar
now organized and the number will RAP
idly increase as our armies advance. Tn
freed slaves make good soldiers, are easll
disciplined and are full of courage. Tn
N. slave has proved his manhood and capaci
~, and makes good infantry, artiller
or cavalry soldier, as has been evidences
on several occasions. The colored troop
have been allowed no bounty, and, unde
the construction given by the department
they can only by the existing law, reeeiv
ten dollars per month for their services
while white soldiers thirteen dollars, cloth
ing and daily ration. The fortunes c
war have brought within our lines larg
numbers of colored women and children
and some aged and infrm persons.
solemn trust rests upon the governmer
for their care and protection.
The reports of chiefs of bureaus in tn
war department exhibit fully their respec
tive operations during the last year. Tn
adjutant general recommends that th
term of enlistment in the service be fxe
at three years instead of five, in accord
anoe with the act of July %, 1861, whic
expires by limitation January, 1868.
The secretary gives list of the princi
pal ordnance materials in the control Q
the department at the beginning of tn
war, etc., and the quantities Of those ar
icles which have since been procured, an
the quantities of those articles on hand o
June 80, 1868. These figures are i'm
mense.
The varions Publications are then al
lnded to at length. The military academ
at West Point is spoken of, and state
ment made showing the condition in lii
Of the cadets for a number of years past
A list Of the present officers of the AGA
deny and the cadets is also furnished.
The operatives Of the chief enginee
connected with the northern and north
western lakes have been continued, an
dur;no the mast season have consisted ii