Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-12-24

immortal. applause.
Report of the Secretary Of War.
The report of the Secretary of War
is of considerable length. 1t revises
and pays a high tribute to the brave.
ry and skill of our troops. He says
the combined operations Of our Army
and navy against Charleston have not
as yet accomplished what was expec-
ted of them. In Texas large force
is operating under Banks, and will
give protection to the people of that
State and cut off chief avenue of the
rebels for foreign commerce and for
eign aid. The armies Of Lee and
Meade now occupy relatively the same
positions as they did at the date Of
the last annual report. West Virgin
ia is now clear of rebels, and the peo-
pie of that State are enjoying in COM
parative peace the blessings of q CIV
il Government. The rebel forces in
Missouri have been driven beyond
the Arkansas river. No military ope-
rations of any magnitudeshave taken
place in Virginia or North Carolina.
The Federal forces are now firmly
planted in every rebele State. The
success of our armies during the past
year has enabled the department to
make a reduction of over 5000 900 900
in the estimates for the ensuing year.
The troubles in regard to the ex-
change of prisoners is reviewed at
length, and the blame for the non-ex-
change is thrown entirely upon the
rebel authorities. He alludcs to the
good treatment the rebel prisoners
have received at our hands and de-
nounces the rebel authorities for the
cruel manner in which they have
treated our prisoners in their hands.
He then discusses the act of Congress
for enrolling and calling out the ma
tional forces, and says that the law
has'been enforced in twelve States,
affording SOC, 900 soldiers and SIC, 000,-
600 for procuring substitutes.
The $500 clause is alluded to, as
are also the conflicting opinions in re-
gard to it's justice and injustice. He
says that a 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 month furlough before
their present term of service expires.
The indications are that the force re-
CURED will in a great measure be
raised by volunteers, and without a
draft. An immense appropriation Tor
bounties should be made. He then
alludes to the valuable service which
the invalid corps has rendered the
Government. The corps now mum.
bers 90, 900 officers and privates. He
says that Immediately after the issue
Of the Presidents proclamation dill
gent efforts were commenced, and
have continued until the present time,
for the raising of colored troops.
$4,000 colored men are now organ
lied, and the number will rapidly in
crease as our armies advance. The
freed slaves make good soldiers, are
easily disciplined, and are full of cour-
age. The slave has proved his man.
hood aud capacity, and makes good
infantry, artillery or cavalry soldier,
as has been shown on several occa-
sions. The colored troops have been
allowed no bounties. Under the con.
struction given by the department
they can only, by the existing law,
receive $40 a month for their services,
while white soldiers receive $l3,
clothing, and q daily ration.
The fortunes of war have brought
within our lines large numbers of COL
ored women and children aud some
aged and in6rm persons. A solemn
trust rests upon the government for
their care and protection.
The Adjutant General recommends
tho term Of enlistment in the regu-
lar service be fixed at three years in
stead of FIVE, in accordance with the
act Of 1853, which expired by limita-
ton on the LIST of January, 1868.
The details Of the Quartermaster
Generals Department are also given,
also the report of the Commissary
General of subsistence. 1t is believ-
ed that the troops at every point have
been supplied with an abundance of
wholesome food, and that if in the
movement Of the armies, temporary
want has been felt, it has not been
due to any want of foresight or atten-
ton on the part Of the Commissary
Generals Department.
The Paymaster's report and Acting
Surgeon Generals, with full details,
are also given. A compliment is paid
10 the military telegraph for the valu-
able services it has rendered to the
Government under the superinten.
dence of Col. Stager and Major j. Re-
Get. After abiding to some claims
against that Department, and saying
that further Legislation or larger
appropriation will be required to car
ny them into effect, he concludes as
follows
/ may be permitted to express the
hope that the next annual report OF
this Department may announce the
complete overthrow of the rebellion
and the restoration Of peace and the
establishment of the Union on sure
foundation in all the bounds Of the
I1pitad Statos