The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-12-24

indications arc that the force required
will in great measure be raised by
volunteering, and without a draft.
An immediate appropriation for
.bounties should be made. He then
alludcs to the valuable service the
the Invalid corps has rendered to the
Government. The corps ownumbers
10000 officers and privates. He says:
Immcdiately y after the issuance of the
Presidents proclamation diligent ef-
forts were commenced, and, have con.
tinued until the present time, for rails
ing colored troops. Fifty thousand
colored men are now organized, aud
the number will rapidly increase as our
armies advance. The freed slaves
make good soldiers are easily disci-
plincd, and are fall Of courage The
slave has proved his manhood and
capacity. and makes good infantry,
artillery or cavalry soldiers, as has
been evidenced on several occasions.
The colorcd troops have been allowed
no bounties under. the construction
given by the Department. They can
only, by the existing law, receive ten
dollars per month for their services.
while white soldiers receive thirteen
dollars, with clothing and q daily ra-
ton ..
The fortunes Of war have brought
within our lines large numbers Of col
ored women and children, and some
aged and infm persons.
a solemn trust rests upon the Gov
ernment for their care and protection
The Adjutant General recommends
that the term of enlistment in thereg-
ular service be final at three years in.
stead Of five, in accordance with the
act Of 1861, which expired by limita-
tion on the lst Of June, 1868. ..
The Secretary gives alist ofthe prin.
cipal ordnance materials in control o.
the Department at the beginning Of
the war, etc, and the quantities Of
these articles on hand June 30, 1863
The figures are immense -.r
The operations of the Chief Engin.
eer, connected with the survey of the
northern and north western lakes
have been continued; and during the
past season have consisted in the sur
vey Of Portage entry, on lake superior
and in the resumption of the survey O
Green Bay and Lake Michigan; ako
. the examinations of the Saint Clair
fats, and of Saint George; also of St
Mary's river, &c.
The details Of the Quartermaster- Gen
erals Department are also given al
also the report of the Commissary
General of Subsistence. 1t is believed
that the troops at every point have
been supplied with an abundance 0
wholesome food; and that if, in thu
movement of the armies there has beer
Il lack Of provisions, it was only tenn
porary.
The Paymasters report and th,
Surgeon Generals report, with full de
tails, are given, .
a compliment IS palu 10 lne military
telegraph, and the valuable services i
has rendered under the supcrinten
dence Of Col. Stager and Major Eek
ert.
After alluding to some claims agains
that department, and saying that fur
thcr legislation or a larger appropria
ton will be required to carry then
into effect, he concludes as follows
II may be permitted to express tn
hope that the next annual report iron
this Department may announce tn
complete overthrow of the rebellion
and restoration of peace, and the cstab
, lishmcnt Of the Union on sure toun
daton in all the bounds of the Unite,
States"