The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-12-16

&c by Gen. T.. p. Thruston, of Nash
vile, Tenn, who was an officer of the
sederal army, in which he attempted
90 prove that the actual fighting force
OF the two armies, Federal and Con-
sedera!e, was nos far from equal, be.
cause of our interior lines, railways
and defensive advantages. AS q
matter OF fact the railway lines in the
South did not amount to very much in
che rapid transportation Of troops as
compared With similar equipment in
che North, where machine shops with
out number were ready at hand to build
and repair locomotives, construct
freight and passenger cars, and iron
Fails for reconstruction OF tracks could
be procured in any quantity. The
statement of Gen. Thruston in this
sespeet almost disproves itself.
We desire to correct the statistics
given by Gen. Thruston in several
particulars, more especially on ac-
oount Of the fact that a number of
daily newspapers in the South have
copied the article from the Record
Herald, without 80 much as question
ing for moment it's assertions as to
the respective numbers in the two ar
mics. Let Us admit at the outset,
however, that the figures on the mon
0mens at Austin are incorrect and
overstated il every instance, but the
5eiative increase on both sides rem aims
about she same. Nor do we wish 70
asperse the bravery of our former foes,
- ''"s would be discrediting the value
oi ourfrequent victories, but it is quite
Pate in the day for Federal officer of
intelligence and reputation to intro
duoe comparisons to show that the ar.
mics were nearly equal in point of
numbers, when there stands out in
bold relief the facts known to all the
world that the Confederates we're be-
ing depleted of strength from day to
dny, while the Federals were recruit
ed first and last from almost every ma.
aion in Europe.
The Southern Confederacy was COM
posed of eleven States, which in 1860
mad military population of ,064 1853
with which to confront the 1858, ,972
ofthe same cloas in the ether States
and Territorie,. During tho next four
years the military population III the
south was increased over 200, 900 from
those reaching their 18th year, and in
other States and Territories the mill.
sary population was increased over
800, 600 from tho same SOURCE. Those
who were exempt on account Of ply
sieal infrmities or otherwise, consti-
!; tute in every country one.fifth Of the
4silitary population, and official fig.
ares show that 25 per cent. Of the per.
sons examined in 1s63.65 by the Uni
Sed States authorities were rejected
"a UNFIT for military duty. The Con.
3edeYate recruiting officers did not in
sist upon any high standard Of physi.
cal requirements, as the needs Of the
army were too pressing and they &C.
eepted all recruits and conscripts ex.
ceps snch as were manifestly incapaci-
taGed for military service. The aggre.
gate enrolment Of the Confederate ar.
1aies during the whole war, according
to an estimate in the "Southern His-
sorinal Society Papers," which was
approved by Adjutant General Sam'l
Cooper, numbered little over 6OO,-
600 effective men, Of whom not over
400, 900 we're enrolled at any one time.
The total enlistments in the Federal
armies were equal to 1895, 169 men
Eeer uited for three years service.
These figures substantially main
aa;n the ration of the military popu.
]ation as ascertained by the census in
1860, and as to the Federal armies
ahey are based upon the statistics of
she war department in Washington.
The official rosters Of the Confederate
armies at various dates during the war
show the following number Of organi-
zations that were in almost continu-
GUS service in the fold: 529 regiments
and So battalions of infantry; 127 reg
iments and Al battalions of oavalry;5 5
,sagiments and 6 .battalions of heavy
i, artillery, aud 26l batteries of light ar
sillery. The aggregate is equivalent
70 764 regiments Of ten companies
each. Only few new regiments we're
organized after 1862 and in most cases
they were consultations of previous
organizations. The recruits and con.
scripts were assigned t. the old regi-
Raents to keep mp an effective strength.
The total loss Of the Confederate