The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-15

Report Of the Secretary Of War.


Secretary Stanton's report opens with a
brief glance at the military operations of the
year, saying that their influence in suppress
, ing the rebellion and restoring the authority
OF the general government, cannot be over es-
timated. The victories of Stone river and of
Gettysburg, the operations before Vicksburg
and Port Hudson, the occupation OF East
Tennessee, the battle of Chickamauga, and
the recent splendid successes before Chatta-
nooga, and other engagements of less note,
are events that eyince skill, courage and loyal
patriotism, and a brillaincy of military achieve
ment by the forces of the United States un-
surpassed in any age, while the less fortunate
battles OF Fredericksburg and Chancellorville
manifested the spirit and fortitude of our
troops in degree worthy of the highest ad-
miration.
In the East he says the position Of military
affairs has not undergone any material change.
In June the long-cherished design OF the rebel
leaders to transfer the seat of war from their
own territory to the loyal States, was under
taken by their favorite commander and their
principal army; but the defeat of Gen. Lee by
the forces under the command of Gen. Meade,
at Gettysburg, destroyed their expectations,
and drove back the enemy to his accustomed
shelter in the mountains OF Virginia. The
armies Of Gen. Meade and Gen. Lee now oc-
cupy relatively nearly the same position as at
the date of my last annual report. The nu-
merous combats and engagements between
detachments of these armies, have been at
tended with perhaps equal loss on both sides,
and without any material advantage TO either.
Concerning Charleston the Secretary SAYS
the combined operations have not accom-
plished all that was expected from them. But
the seizure and occupation of Morris Island
by the forces under commend of Gen. Gil
more, the reduction of Forts Wagner and
Sumter, are exploits in which the skill and gal
lantry of the officers and the valor of our
troops have been exhibited in degree of
which the country is justly proud.
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 year has enabled the Department to make
reduction of over two hundred millions of
dollars in the war estimates for the ensuing
fiscal year.
The question of the exchange of prisoners
Is reviewed, but no new light is shed upon the
subject. The statements regarding the bad
faith and violation of cartel on the part of the
enemy are very plainly made, and the case is
now fully understood. The Secretary con-
firms the statement lately made by Gen.
Hitchcock, that we now have over forty thous-
and prisoners Of war ia our hands, while the
enemy holds but thirteen thousand of ours
Because the enemy demand that we shall, lib
crate our possessions for tlieirs, and because
they refuse to deliver up the colored soldiers
and their white officers, The exchange is sus-
pended. Mr. Stanton says, in substance, that
our government declines to furnish the rebels
with fresh army of forty thousand, on their
own terms.
The Conscription Act has been enforced in
twelve States. 1t has obtained fifty thousand
soldiers, and obtained a fund of over $40 O0O.-
600 for procuring substitutes. Notwithstand-
ing its impcrlections, the Secretary thinks it
an efficient means for recruiting our armies
The money,obtained through the commutation
OF drafted men is being vigorously applied TO
the recruiting of men for the regiments now
in the field, aud Mr.. Stanton INDUCES in the
very agreeable belief that the greater portion
OF the force required will be thus raised by
volunteering and without further draft. The
Invalid corps now numbers twenty thousand,
officers and men, aud it has increased by that
number the strength of the armies in the field.
The operations OF the Bureau OF Colored
Troops have put fifty thousand warriors into
the field, Notwithstanding operations have
been retarded by several obstacles. The
qualifications OF the colored man for the sew
eral branches of the military service are con-
sidered fully established. 1t is recommended
to Congress that the same wages and bounty
be paid to colered as are paid to white soldiers.
The reports of the several bureaus of the
Department are briefly alluded to, and several
recommendations made. The Adiutant Gen.
eral recommends that the terms of enlistments
OF regular soldiers be reduced from five to
three years. The expenditures of the Ord
nance Department for the past year amount TO
upward Of forty-two millions of dollars, and
the resources of the country are abundantly
able to supply every demand of this eharac-
ter. An increased appropriation is recon-
mended for arming the militia of the States.
Blk millions have been spent upon fortiflca-
tions-mostly permanent.
West Point is full, the loyal States having
supplied the vacancies from the disloyal. Our
lake shores are to be protected from rebel pi-
ratical raids.
The report OF the Quartermaster and Com
missary Generals show that the armies have
been.s supplied with food and clothing. The
Quartermaster General is absent on a very
extended tour OF inspection, not yet completed
The armies, the Paymaster General reports.
are substantially paid TO Oct. 81, 1868, the
latest period allowed by regulation. and the
money is on hand for the next pay. The sits
tstics of the Surgeon Generals report are in
teresting. We have 1873 general hospstals, and
the number OF patients remaining in them on
the 30th Of June last was 9.1 per ceut., and In
the field "A per cent. of the entire strength of
the army, OF whom ] per cent. were sick and
I'll per cent. wounded. The signal corps
and military telegraph are both favorabiy
commended.
The report closes with the gratifying an
nouncement that diigent effort has been made
for the enforcement of discipline and the de-
lection and prevention of frauds, by the ac-
tion OF Military Commissions and Court Mar
tial. There are records of over seventeen
thousand trials on file in the Office of the Judge
Advocate General.
Finally, Secretary Stanton hopes his next
report may announce the complete overthrow
Of the rebellion and the full restoration
Of peace, in which hope the people will most
Iervently join.
Report OF the Secretary OF the Treasury.
Secretary Chase in his annual report, sets
down the total actual and estimated expendi-
lures OF the Government for 1864 at $40, :
330.42. or this amount, Sie4 l57 .567. SO are vet
TO be provided for by loans. The Secretary
thinks that the total debt on the LIST of july,
1864, will be 81 l,6S6,956, ,6il.44, instead of 81 ;
144 6S5 ,5S6.s0, as estimated in the report ot
last December. The first amount NAV ha no