Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-12-14
rHE DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
The Report of Secretary stanton,

The annual report of Secretary Stanton,
although lengthy, is naturally q most I'M
portant and interesting document. 1t in
forms us that between November 18th, 1865,
and November Ist, 1866, 222, ,05S volunteers,
white and colored were mustered out OF
service, leaving in service IL ,043. This re
ducti0n was, of course, attended with cor
responding reduction of material and re-
trenchment Of expenses but the discharge
of men and disposition OF animals, wagons,
transports. stores, &c, we are informed,
viii not interfere with the prompt organlza-
ton and equipment of another immense ar
my. if it should be again necessary 10 issue
a call for our countrymen to rally around
the standard Of freedom or as the Secretary
expresses it, while the war expenses have
been reduced to the footing Of a moderate
and economical peace establishment, the ma
tional military strength remains unimpaired,
and in a condition to be promptly put forth.
During the year recruiting for the regular
army has progressed favorably, and as soon
as the ranks are well filed it is designed to
raise the standard Of qualifications, and
thus increase the efficiency Of the force. In
regard to the care and attention bestowed
upon our defenders, when sick or wounded,
no better evidence can be adduced of the
consideration Of the Government and the
skill Of our surgeons, that the fact that OF
the G4 43S patients in the general hospitals
on June 80, 1865, and admitted during the
year, there we're on June Both OF the present
year, less than one hundred remaining under
treatment. The return Of peace has given
the department the opportunity to purchase
subsistence stores at many OF the points
where they are TO be consumed, and while
most Of those required for the troops sta
toned along and near the Gulf OF Mexico
arc purchased in New Orleans, number Of
contracts have been given out III different
sections Of the South at satisfactory rates.
The importance of speedily providing the
army with breech loading small arms OF the
best pattern is referred to, and the altera-
ton Of the Springfield musket into 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 creditable announcement is
made that in the disbursement Of many mil
lions of dollars during the year, the total
cost to the Government in expenses OF every
description was but a fractional portion Of
one per cent. The Secretary dwells at
length upon the active measures instituted
for successfully and speedily carryinginto ef-
feet the various Congressional provisions for
the benefit Of surviving patriots Of the late
war, and for the proper preservation Of the
remains of those who fell in defence Of their
country. 1t is estimated that national GEM
eteries viii be required of sufficient area to
contain 249, 397 graves. About one half Of
the report is composed Of the documents
submitted by the chiefs of bureaus, each of
which contains much detailed information
relative to the operations Of the department.
That Of the Commissioner Of refugees Freed
men and Abandoned Lands, gives some in
teresting items relative to the Subsistence
and education of those under charge Of his
bureau Among others the fact that $50,
600 freedmen and their children are now at
tending school 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 plan
tation, county parish, and town responsible
for the care Of its own poor, with bnt few
exceptions the State authorities have failed
to contribute to the relief Of the class Of
persons supported by he Government.