The New York herald., 1865-03-12
Our Armies Stronger, Better Organized
and Better Supplied Than Ever.
FIatfering Condition Of the National
Military Establishment.
interesting Departmental Sta
tistics,
&C., &c., &s.
WAR DEPARTnKHr,
WASHINGTON CRY. March !. 1855.

- annual reports OF the several bureaus OF THIS depart
nank They designed to accompany my annual re-
DsA which, by your permission has been dehyed antil
~ Lieutenant General should furnish his summary Of
- military operations OF the past year His report has
nos yet received the activity Of the campaign In
pregress demands his unceasing attention But the
accompanying documents are now submitted IN order
sa far done without injury to the service
shsy may be printed With the public documents Of the
present Session Of Congress-
THE yKAR's WORK.
The military Of the past year have been ofcialy
published by this department from time TO time as they
Hanspired fully known in every branch Of this
government and throughout the civilized world. They
sonstute Of successful marches, sieges and bat
s attestng the endurance and courage OF the soldiers
e The United States and the gallantry and military
skill their commanders unrivalled In the history Of
nations.
The campaign Of the Army Of the Potomac, and the
spesaonn the James river the Appomattox and around
Richmond and Petersburg; the mastery operations Of
army In Georgia. resulting In the capture Of Atlanta,
Savannah and other important military posts in that
1ate Of the forts in the harbor Of hobe
the fought battles Franklin and around Nash
vie resulting in the rout rebel army in Tennes
sos; the succession of brilliant victories by the
Army Of the Shenandoah the successful storming OF
yer Fisher the capture OF Wilmington, Columbia, and
Charleston and other achievements Of less note all con-
tsbuting the triumph Of the Union cause and the sup
preston Of the rebellion, will be appropriately de-
ed upon the coming Of the report Of the Lieutenant
General
That the administrative operations Of the several bu
Of this department have failed to contribute to
Tho Of armies is shown Ny the official reports
e their respective chiefs
THE ApJurAN GENERALS DEPARTMENT.
The Adjuant General reports the difficulties springng
frana "a sidd nd q me-
hN overcome his bureau clerks instructed and work
sysenatized Credit justly due TO both the officers
and clerks for their fidelity.
RECRUITING
Despite superior advantages for recruiting volunteers,
arsAler been reached in the regular service
ahan was anticipated There dcpots for cosc-
Oon Of for the army at argeone for infantry at
1sst Columbus, New YORK. and for mounted service
u Carlisle Pennsylvania There also fourteen
dsp0s for particular regiments established In different
sections Of the country. Sick and wounded officers
AAve generally been employed recruiting service and
when they have been sent replace others ia
Shs neld who required relief.
Twenty depots established in the principal
oatss for collecting and forwarding to regiments voun
tess and substitutes and also drafted men, The Veteran
1assrve corps has been Of much service in guarding
these depots escortng deachments to their rcgi
0sutA There also six special depots for recruits
enlisted in rebel States by agents from loyal States
Boards OF examination have been kept up to inquire
OF absence from duty and alleged offences by
sncers The effect has been to diminish the number Of
sases published and referred boards three hun
Arsd sixty -four for eleven MONTHS whereas before
ahsr organization from hundred to two hundred
reported monthly for absence without Lave alone
Tho OF dAaplains seems 10 be misunderstood.
From the wording Of the act Of April 1884, section 1t h
thought by chaplains that rank between the
grades Of major and captain is intended for them This
supposed 20 be growing out of the OF tho
ssrm .,suryeon In act instead of ''medca officer
The former assimated rank OF chapans IN reference TO
allowance of quarters and pay proper, captain,
and such Tho Id now he their rank.
Over two hundred Tags captured from the rebels have
BEEN received properly labelled and deposited for safe
keeping.
Medals OF honor have been awarded in numerous In
stances to priyates and commissioned officers for
gallant services The plan OF awarding gold aud silver
medals officers Of brevets certain extent,
ID CONNIE notice II shoaid not supersode the
eonerrng OF breyet especially m where such rank
mighf be exercised In high commands
The work OF preparing Official reports OF battles Gc,
csr printing, in compliance with the resolution OF Con-
gross Of NAY 49, 1854 progressing rapidly possible,
end all officers from whom such reports due have
been called upon for them.
THG rAyMAsrERs DrPARTNxST
The Paymaser General reports that the entire arny Is
pad to gust 81, 1864 process Of pay rapidly
- the treasury can supply funds.
He calls attention TO the detective organization OF his
bureau sd strongly urges that the Paymsser General
have the rank OF briRader general that there bc Two
and ton deputy paymaster generals In addition TO the
swo provided by law, with the rank Of lieutenant
colonel He also recommends the adoption Of provi.
ston of law 10 the effect that any paymaser additional
payrnaser, selected by the Secretary Of War to take
sffarse Of geographical pay district shall have the
Temporary rank OF Lieutenant colonel during such charge
He also reports that the clerical force Of his bureau Is
scen aud that increase is Believed ~ be AZ present
required
The Chief o Ordnance reports that the fiscal AFFAIRS OF
Mai bureau show balance july 1854 Of 81 2919 II
Miscellaneous receipts. Ia, ,0l3 Oh
Total means $40 2Is,o0l IL
Espsndtures during the year $500, s22 30
IN treasury and public repositories June
% 1894. s77e,17e 10
Total. :. .s45 27s, ,oo2 I2
fbe estimates for tho next sca year arc based on ex
ysndiures FOR similar period last year. akans
6deration remaining balances and supplies hand The
auppies produced during the past fiscal year include
4f6o pieces Of ordnance, 23ol artillery carriages aud
csissons so2 525 small arms 1874 ob5 sets Of
psnts and harness. 1,074 "a projectiles for cannon
74o l4e pounds Of bullets and lead 400 pounds
These complete articles in addition 10 large quaint
sss Of the kind Of supplies partially made up Al the
arsenslR
The ordnance supplies furnished the military service
surng the nsca year include l4i pieces u ordnance,
artillery carriages and cssaons 400 y0 small arms,
e0oA sets OF and harness. 93 753 pro
oes Tor cannon 6s5 pounds OF bullets and Lead
hose equipments. $50 cartridges for small srms
Lo44 oA pounds OF gunpowdar These supplies In
eooon 70 large quantities Of parts provided for repairs
n the field
The capacity Of the asenas for the manufacture Of
aunitions Of war has been increased during year.
and that increase u sti going on as the means
appropriated will admit Supplies manufactured at the
sssnas Of better quality and less oos than similar
ARTICLES obtained by contract or purchase.
Tho national armory, nj Springfield Massacusets can
tsrn three hundred thousand of the best quality a
viAs muskets annually
Possession has been taken Of Rock Island Illinois IN
pursuance OF act Of Congress and the requisite build
iHgs for enal there progr
There Ia On a Of rec o 4 mi
ef nrsl class rifle small arms exclusive Of the
ahe hands Of The troops since Increased TO million and
a9narter.
Inc introduction of breech loading arms for the mill
sary service generally IA recommended
The selection OF site for general depository Of gun
powder and erection OF suitable magazines thereon
b recommended In that connection, the construction
Of Cover nment powder mill Of sun1cent capacity 70