Evening star., 1865-03-14
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETA
kY OF WAR

The Annual Report OF Secretary Stanton
dated March 1st, has been printed. The report
was delayed in order to give General Grant an
opportunity to furnish his summary of the mil.
Itary operations OF the past year; but the acivi.
ty OF the present campaign demands the Gen.
erals unceasing attention, and the report ap.
pears without his record.
Secretary Stanton says:
"The military events Of the past year have
been officially published by this Department
from time to time as they transpired, aud are
ment and throughout the civilized world. They
constitute series Of successful marches
courage OF the soldiers OF the United States,
and the gallantry and military skill of their
commanders, unrivalled in the history of ma
tions
The campaign of the Army OF the Potomac,
ard the operations on the James river, the Ap.
pomattox, and around Richmond and Peters
burg; the mastery operations OF our army IN
Georgia. resulting in the capture Of Atlanta,
savannah, and other important military posts
in that State; the reduction Of the forts in the
harbor OF Mobile; the hard fought battles at
Franklin and around Nashville, resulting In
the rout of the rebel army in Tennessee, the
succession OF brilliant victories won by the
Army OF the Shenandoah; the successful storm
ing of Fort Fisher; the capture Of Wilmington
Colu umbia, and Charleston, and other achieve
ments of less note, all contributing to the tri.
umph OF the Union cause and the suppression
of the rebellion, will be more appropriately de-
Lieutenant General"
The report presents a brief sketch of the
military establishment, emitting the exact
strength of the forces now under arms. The
following are the principal facss set forth:
Twenty one depots are established in the
principal States for collecting and for wardI- e
to regiments, volunteers, substitutes and dra It.
ed men. The Veteran Reserve corps has been
of much service in guarding these depots
and essortlng detachments TO their regiments 3
There are also six special depots for recruits
ellisted in rebel States by agents from loyal
States.
Boards of examination have been kept up to
inquire into causes Of absenee from duty and
alleged offences by officers. The effect has
been TO diminish the number Of cases published
and referred to the boards to three hundred
and sixty-four for eleven months whereas,
before their organization, from one hundred to
two hundred were reported monthly for ab.
sence without leave alone.
The status of chaplains seems to be misun.
April 9, 1864, section 1. it is thought by some
chaplains that a new rank between the grades
of major and captain is intended for them.
This is supposed to be an error growing out Of
the use OF the term "surgeon" in the act, in
stead of "medical officer.'' The former as
simulated rank of chaplains, in reference to
allowance of quarters and pay proper, was
"captalp," and such should now be their
rank.
Over two hundred flags captured from the
rebels have been received, properly labelled,
and deposited for safe keeping.
Medals OF honor have been awarded In
numerous instances to privates and non COM
missioned officers for gallant services. The
plan of awarding gold and silver medals to
Off GERS instead Of breVets, to a certain extent,
Is commended to notice. 1t should not super
sede the conferring OF brevet especially in
cases where such rank might be exercised in
high commands.
The supplies produced during the past fiscal
year Include 1.750 pieces of ordnance, 1851
aruilery carriages and caissons, S02 525 small
arms, I9@,C5o sets of accoutrements and har-
ness, 1,674,2A projectiles for cannon 10 40 1Ifi
pounds of bullets and lead, 6, 9.4OO pounds of
gunpowder. 169,490,029 cartridges for small
arms. These are complete articles, In addition
to the large quantities of the same kind of sup.
plies partially made up at the arsenals
The ordnance supplies furnished to the mill
I'LL pieces Of ordnance, 1886 artillery car.
riages and caissons, Ass, 9I0 small arms. 5O2,OA
sets of accoutrements and harness, 19i3753
projectiles for cannon, 7,62i,685 pounds of bull
lets and lead, 164, $40 ROUNDS OF artillery am.
m unition, 152,067 sets Of horse equipments,
1l2007s053 cartridges for small arms, 7,544,044
POUNDS OF gunpowder. These supplies were
IN in addition to large quantities OF parts provided
The capacity of the arsenals for the manufac.
ture OF munitions Of war has been increased
during the year, and that increase is still going
on, so far as the means appropriated will
admit. Supplies manufactured at the arse.
nails are of better quality ana less cost than
similar articles obtained by contract or pur-
chase.
The national armory at Springfield. Massa.
chusetts, can turn out three hundred thous
and OF the best quality Of rified muskets an
nually. "hr
Possession has been taken Of Rock Island,
Illinois, in pursuance OF an act OF Congress,
and the requisite buildings for an arsenal there
are in progress.
There is on hand a stock Of three quarters of
q million OF first class rifle small arms, ex.
elusive OF the arms In the hands OF the
troops, since increased to million and q
quarter.
The introduction Of breach. loading arms
for the military service generally is recon-
mended.
The selection OF site for general depoei.
tory OF gunpowder, and the erection OF q suit