Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-12-18
Report of the Secretary of War.

Secretary SrANroN's report first notices in
brief. the successful progress of the national
arms during the year, and the yalor and IA
triotlsn displayed by our trops-
The forces Of the National Government are
now firmly planted on the soil Of every rebel
State The success of our arms during the
last wear has enabled the Department to
make a reduction OF over two hundred mil
lions Of dollars in the war estimates for the
ensuing fiscal year.
The subject OF exchange Of prisoners is
dwelt upon at some length. The statements
of Mai. Gen Hitchcock, published some days
since, are reiterated. We have over forty
thousand rebel prisoners against about thir-
teen thousand of our men in the hands OF the
enemy. The bad faith Of the rebel Commis-
sIoner in declaring the Nicksburgh and Port
Hudson prisoners-who were Poroied 10y GIens.
Grant and Banks-cxchanged without any as
sent on our parton any equivalent on the part
Of the rebels, is dwelt upon. The exchange
Is stopped because the rebel authorities de-
mand the release Of all the prisoners IN our
hands for the comparatively small number OF
our men held by them-they also refusing to
exchange colored prisoners and their white
officers. Our government declines TO fur
nish the rebels with fresh army Of forty
thousand men, On their own terms. Though
incontroverti5le proof exists that our priso-
ners have been treated with great barbarity,
and suffer from want Of food and shelter, the
rebel prisoners in our hands have been well
led and clothed and cared for.
lit should become necessary for the protec-
ton Of our men, strict retaliation viii bc re-
sorted to bat while the rebel authorities
suffer tins government to feed and clothc
/ our troops held as prisoners, We snail DE con
tent TO continue 10 their prisoners IN our
/ hands the humane treatment they have uni
! iormly enjoyed.
The draft, under the act for enrolling and
/ calling out the national forces, brought into
the service $4,000 soldiers, and into the
Treasury $4,000 600, which Is used for
/ bounties for enlistments. lamentations OF
/ the law are needed, though much has been
accomplished by it. The prospect for rem
/ listment of soldiers now in the service ls very
( good. The drafted men who have come into
i the ranks have proved themselves good sol
diers The invalid CORPS now numbers 2o,ooo
men and it is Of great value to the pubic
service.
| Ofcolored troops over 80 900 are now IN
I the ranks and the number will rapidly In
crease as our armies penetrate tie reoel
States. They have proved thems Ives to be re-
| liable and brave soldiers.
The colored troops have been allowed nc
/ bounty, and under the construction given oy
the deral tment, they can only by the exist
! ing law receive the pay Of SO per month
while other soldiers are being paid SlS PEI
month with clothing and daily ratlons
Thee seems to be inequality and injustice
in this distinction and an amendment au
tborizIng the same ply and bounty as white
troop receive is recommended. As soldiers
of the Union, fighting under Its banner, e1
po,ing their lives To uphold tie government
culored TROOPS are entitled to ENJOY ils JUS
tice and benehcence.
The Secretary gives tables which show IL
detail the immense additions which nav
been made to the ordnance department AM
to the arms and munitions of war generally
since the war began At the Outset 'n'
Government was Obliged 70 purchase iar s'i.
in Europe; now, everything is made at home
Raw material for guns Is now Puicnase'
entirely at home and OF quality 'quai 10 I'd
I.,st ;or,isu-
The forri6cations on our soabOard snd troi
tier nave been greatly Strengthened ana e.
larged. The Secretary notices the eA'eii''
means for provisioning and clothing anu i'l
dering medical aid to the sick and "Ounu''