Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-12-13
Department geport6,
THE DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
THE REPORT OF SECRETARY STANTON

THE REPORT or SECRETARY STANTON.
The annual report of Secretary STANTON,
although lengthy, is naturally most i'm.
| portant and interesting document 1t in
| forms us that between November 18th,
1865, and November lst, 1866 222 05S vol
unteers, white and colored, were mustered
out of service, leaving in service II ,043-
This reduction was, of course, attended
with corresponding reduction of material
and retrenchment OF expenses but the dis
charge of men and disposition of animals,
wagons, transports. stores, &c, we are in
formed, will not interfere with the prompt
organization and equipment of another i'm
mense army, if it should be again necessa-
ry to issue a call for our cOuntrymen to
rally around the standard of freedom or as
the Seer tary expresses it, "while the war
expenses have beer reduced to the footing
Of moderate and economical peace estab-
lishment, the national military strength re-
mains uniInpaired, and III condition to be
promptly put forth" During the year re-
Cruiting for the regular arms has progress
ed favorably, and as soon as the ranks are
well filled it is designed to raise the stand
ard of qualifications, and thus increase the
efficiency of the force. In regard to the
care and attention bestowed upon our de-
tenders when sick and wounded, no better
evidence can be adduced to the considera-
tion of the Government and of the skill of
our surgeons than the fact of the "a .438
patients IN the general hospitals of June
3d. 1865, and admitted during the year,
there were on the 30th of June of the pres
ent year, less than one hundred remaining
under treatment. The return of peace has
given the department the opportunity 20
purchase subsistence stores at many of the
points where they are to be consumed, ard
while most of those required for the troops
stationed along and near the Gulf of Mexi-
co are purchased in New Orleans, a num-
ber of contracts have been given out in diff
erent sections Of the South at satisfactory
rates. The Importance Of speedily provid-
ing the army with breechl loading small
arms of the best pattern is referred to, and
the alteration of the Springfield musket in
to this kind of arm, it is stated, makes it
better, IN all respects, than the Prussian
needle-gun, while its metallic ammunition
is regarded as superior.
The present organization of the military
departments, thirteen in number, with their
respective commanders, is given, and the
important and credtabe announcement is
made that iii the disbursement of many
millions of dollars during the year, the to-
tai cost to the Government in expenses of
every description was but fractional por-
ton of one per cent. The Secretary dwells
at length upon tue active measures insti-
tuted for successfully and speedily carry
ing into effect the various Congressional
provisions for the benefit of surviving pa
triots of the late war and for the proper
preservation of the remains of those who
fell in defence of their country. 1t is esti-
mated that national cemeteries will be re
quired of sufficient area to contain 249, 1897
graves. About one-half of the report is
composed of the documents submitted by
the chiefs Of bureaus, each of which con-
tains mnch detailed information relative
to the operation of the department. That
of the Commissioner of Refugees, Freedmen
and Abandoned Lands, gives some inter-
esting items relative to the subsistence and
education of those under the charge of his
bureau. Among others the fact that 150,-
600 freedmen and their children are now
attending schools in the South that in
June last the issue of rations to freedmen
and refugees was about equal and that
although the officers were directed to hold
each plantation, county, parish, and town
responsible for the care of its own poor,
with but few exceptions the State authori-
ties have failed to contribute to the relief
of the class of persons supported by the
Government.
GENERAL GRANTS REPORT.