New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-01


VIC are stu in want of mon IN rlt .,...l
The reasons are not far to seek. We do not
undertake TO estimate the different forces scat
tered over the immense territory which we are
seeking TO subdue. Such statement would be
rather too instructive TO the cnomy--who, with
all his Wanted facilities for obtaining information
from traitors at tho North, seems to be on the
whole not much better off than ourselves. But
it is sufficient TO say generally that the armies
now in the field exceed in numbers the strength
which armies in active service are expected
to maintain in proportion to their nominal
strength on tho muster and pay-rolls.
1t is maxim approved by long European
experience tina: the actual strength Of an army
pursuing campaign for any length OF time
cannot be mado TO exceed one-third Of the num-
Der borne on its register. That is, for every
hundred thousand men actually marching and
fighting three hundred thousand must be kept
enrolled, equipped and paid. But does anybody
doubt that the forces under Gen. Grant, i'll
Virginia, in Georgia. aud west Of the Mississippi,
considerably exceeded three hundred thousand
at the beginning of this camraign'
OF tho wear and tear Of the last six weeks OF
ncessant lighting We need not speak, except to
say that the losses have generally'been over
estimated. We know from official figures that
the killed, wounded, and missing of the Army
Of the Potomac, down to the time whom it
crossed the Pomunkcy, wcrc less thaa 10000
Some troops have since been mustered out and
there have been heavy losses at Cold Harbor
and before Petersburg but they can hardly
swell the total to 60, 900 men. II, however, We
take that large figure, and bear in mind also that
great deal of hard fighting is yet to come we
begin to understand why the Government finds
1t necessary To call for more men in order to
keep the army ct its full strength.
A Copperhcad paper which is always swift to
put the worst face on tho acts and intentions Of
the Government, characterizcs the expected call
for troops as proposed large increase of the
army. But it is obvious from what we have
already stated That draft say of 100000 mcu
would not moro than supply tho place of the
o""VV HHoibS iAoul INC hihJ va thO AVtVnide
alone. BY the time that number had been
drafted, mustered in, and drilled long enough
to he of use a. soldiers, so many would have
been detailed, so many put to garrison duty, 80
many deserted, struggled, sick, or for any reason
not present for duty" that Gen. Grant would
think himself fortunate if out of the whole num-
Der he got his 60, 900 back again. And this is
not at all peculiar 10 our armies but il The rule
Of military service the world over.
We must not be understood az admitting that
there is any objection TO an actual numerical
increase of our armies. Far from it. We have
again and again urged tha. men enough should
be called out TO put immediate success beyond
question. The danger Of exhaustion is inf
nitely greater in protracted war than in a
campaign which should combine the resources
of the whole nation for one final crushing blow
at the Rebellion. who does not sec that the
war would inevitably be ended this Summer
il at this moment the Government were able TO
send 100, 900 well drilled and disciplined troops
to Gen. Grant, IL would have been economy
to have doubled The DRAFT last Winter; ii will
just as much be economy and wise policy TO
draft now as many men rs shall insure the i'm
mense superiority Of our armies 10 the Rebels.
They have exhausted their material. and eau
not rcplenish their wasted rauks. We can, ard
must, and will.