Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-05
rco,TINrEp FROM rtEsr PAeEl


The disposition of the veteran reserve corps
presented some considerations Of peculiar
nature. II was the inclination OF the depart
msnt 20 retain IL in service until the meeting OF
Congress But inquiry showed that very
small per cent. Of enlisted men were content TO
remain In service. All who desired have
therefore been discharged, and supernumerary
ofhccrs mustered out
Recruiting to I'LL the regular rigimentsbas con-
tinued. Several thousand applications for
These commissions, hitherto, have been con-
ferred only by promotion from The ranks But
10 secure the requisite number of competent
officers, board has been appointed to ex-
anime applicants and determine their relative
merit. From the list selected by the board, and
IN the order OF merit appointments are 10 be
mace. Two years actual service in the war
Is indispensable for appointment.
1 he establishment of well-Organized militia
system Is one of the most important subjects
that viii demand the attention OF Congress.
This subject has already received careful con-
sideration, and il is believed that after confer
ence with the appropriate committees, prac-
teal system may be agreed upon.
Measures for the establishment of homes, and
some provisions for the aid and relief of wound
ed and disabled soldiers, is also subject that
will commend itself strongly TO every patriotic
heart
The Board of Visitors to the Military Acade-
my az West Point, in June last, made an elab-
CRATE report, which is submitted. They rec
Ommend a reorganization, and a number OF
measures which, in their opinion, will enhance
the benefits of that national institution. To
these the attention of Congress is respectfully
invited, with the recommendation that the
number of cadets be increased, as recommend
ed, and that the superintendent of this institu-
ton Do no longer confined TO the engineer bu-
Ieau. 1t is believed that toe Military Academy
is ~ present well conducted, and that their re-
spOnsible duties are efficiently performed by
the ot1cers, professors, and instructors charged
with the institution.
The war appropriations at the last session of
congress, as has been stated amounted TO the
sum of s5l6.24G,2 3l.7O. The estimates for the
next fiscal year, commencing June 81, 1866, are
SsE3.S 4.46i.S3.
These estimates are based upon a standing
force OF fifty thousand men, so organized as 70
admit of an increase, without additional or
CARNATIONS TO $3.50 troops of ali arms.
This estimate has been made after conference
and careful consideration, and is believed to
be adequate for any national eXigency. if the
country should be Blessed with peace. The re-
ductiOn of the national military force, in its
rapidity and numbers, is without example.
and if there be any alarm in the public mind
because this reduction il made while grave
questions at home and abroad are unsettled, a
brief consideration of the subject will show
that there rs no cause for apprehension.
The force TO be retained is small Compared
with that which was organized to subdue the
rebellion. But the only reasons demanding
greater force are-1st, renewal of the insurrec-
ton; 2d, foreign war. For either or both
emergencies the national resources remain
ample. The chief demands for war, as shown
by our experience, are, LIST, troops; I'd, arms and
ammunition: Sd, clothing: irh. TRANSPORTATION:
and 5th, subsistence supplies.
The troops disbanded We're chiefly volun-
teers, who went 10 The field to uphold the sys-
TEN OF Tree government established by their
fathers, and which they mean TO bequeath to
their children. Their tolls and ufferings. their
marches, battles and victories, have not di-
mlnished the value of that government TO them;
so that any new rebellion would encounter
equal or greater force for its reduction; and
none can ever spring up with such advantages
n The start, or be conducted with superior
means, ability, or prospect OF success. A for
elCn war would Intensity the rational feeling
and thousands, once misled. would rejoice TO
atone their error by rallying TO the national
nag. The question Of time in which armies
could be raised 70 quell Instruction or repel
invasion Is, therefore, the only question rela-
Ting 10 troops. Our experience in this point Is
significant. When Lees army surrendered,
thousands Of recruits were pouring in, and zen
were discharged from recruiting stations and
rendezvous in every state On several occa-
sICES. when troops were promptly needed TO
avert impending disaster, vigorous exertion
brought them into the field from remote States
with incredible speed. Official reports show
that after The disasters on the Peninsula. II
1S62, over 5000 troops were enlisted, organ
IZcd. armed, equipped, and sent into the field
IN less than month. Sixty thousand troops
have rel eatedly gone 10 the field within four
weeks. Ard 9sCGO infantry were sent TO the
armies from the five States of Ohio Indiana
Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin within twenty
DAYS.
When the rebellion commenced, the nation
was stranger TO war. Officers had little ex-
generation of men in This country are now vet
eran soldiers. For the battle, the march, or the
siege, they are already trained. They are as
much at home IN the tented field as in the farm
house, the mandatory, OF the shop No time
II required 10 train them: and the speed of the
railroad and telegraph determines the time
I.fnIed TO raise an army in the United
Second. As TO arms sIS. Ammunition. The
Cts Danced armies We're allowed to take home
men arms al nominal price. Rust is not likely
gather m az bro ~, -, K
the campaigns of 1864 and 1s65. The Govern
Inent retains IN its arsenals more than mill
non OF the best quality of arms and equip
Mtnts. ne artillery on hand tasks the depart-
ment for ITS means of storage. The manufac-
lure OF ammunition requires materials for
when we nave IN some degree relied upon
other countries, because they could be had
cheaper FOR this reason, and 10 guard against
any mischance, three years stock of material
Tor ammunition has already been kept i'm
store, and the supply on hand is ample for any
war mat can be waged against us by any ma
ton.
Third. Clothing, transportation, and subsist.
,. az, seIllns or distributing among freed
men and refugees ali damaged or irregular
clothing, the stock of clothing and material in
the quarteTmaster's depots is sufficient for any
armies I. lnat may be called into service. The
wafer transports and rolling stock mules
wagons and horses held by the Government
were adequate 10 the mo vement and suppIv NJ
larger forces. IN less time. than had heretofore
ceen known in war. The Government has
disposed or Is disposing of this transportation.
ont II remains in this country, and can answer
any exigency.
Army subsistence is derived from the country
IN Wnlch military operations are carried on or
supplied from ether markets. During the war
this most vital branch of the service never
faiIed- 1t answers to the demand, and is ever
ready 10 meet the national call.
Ii Is plain, therefore, that the abundance of
our means for war enables the Government of
The United States TO reduce the standing force
10 lower degree than any other nation. lin.
less war b. actually raging, the military force
can he brought within very narrow limits
however sudden the e1igeney calling for an
exhioiilon OF military power, II can be promptly
met With our education, habits. and expert
tnce, the nation, while in the midst OF peace is
prepared for war.
DisbancIng the troops reduces at once the
amount TO be expended IN some items OF appro-
prianon, but in others requires larger imrnedi-
ale expenditures. Upon their discharge the
sclolers became entitled TO all the instruments
OF oounty which would have fallen due at later
ptTlCdS, ana IN many cases exceeding a wears
pay. The transportation of large armies from
the held, IN southern States, to their remote
MONIES IN The west, or in eastern and northern
STAIRS, made extraordinary drafts on the quar-
frinasters department beyond what wculd h.
required Tor armies marching or encamped. The