The National tribune., 1904-09-15

three years. This call for volunteers was,
Aug. 4, supplemented by one through
draft for 100000 militia for nine months
service.
Jan. /. 1863, the volunteer forces num-
bered S92, ,72S; Jan. !, 1854, that number
1865, it had been increased to 937, Al, and
on May l to 1,O84, ,O64.
Feb. "a, 1854, by act of Congress ap-
proved that date, the President was au-
thorized, whenever he deemed it neces-
sary during the war, to call for such num-
Der of men for the military service of the
United States as the public exigencies
might require. 1t established the will of
the President as the authority for raising
troops, and conferred delicate and
mighty power. That expressed confidence
in the President was a sound rebuke to
those who, not much more than one year
before, had in contemplation to impeach
and remove him from Office.
From first to last 2,67S,967 men were
furnished, and organized into 1868 regi-
ments, 21 battalions and 5O4 Independent
companies Of infantry; 232 regiments;
nine battalions, and 122 independent COM
panies of cavalry; and SO regiments, six
battalions, and 274 companies of artillery.
EVIL OF NEW REGIMENTS.
The constant addition to the forces of
new regiments proved great element of
weakness to the armies. AS great evil,
it may here be referred to.
Under every call, the first act of Gov
ernors Of States was to ask for authority
to raise new regiments. The desire of the
War Department was to secure recruits
for old regiments, and thus maintain their
organizations. The Secretary of War, in or
der to make a determined stand, secured in
December, 1864, the views of the General
in-Chief and army commanders. All were
in support of the opinion of the Secretary
relative to the necessity of recruits for old
regiments, but the pressure of the States
caused all, as on former occasions, to yield,
and SO new regiments and 129 new indie
pendent companies, under the call of Dec.
18. 1864, were added to the list of organi-
zations in service, in addition to II new
regiments and 90 companies under the
call of July 18, 1864. All this at time
when the Army of the Potomac, alone,
required $4,000 recruits to fill it's organiza-
tons to the maximum-some 100000
would have been necessary for all the ar
mies-and when experienced and gallant
I-ieutena mt -COlonels and other regimental
officers, bearings the wounds of many bat
ties. could not receive promotion owing to
the depleted state of their commands The
subject was pointedly referred to by the
commander of one of the armies as fol-
lows:
"The raising Of new regiments is a
| means desired to fill the quota and avoid
the draft.
There is no intention. I suppose, that
| these new regiments should serve the
United States, and their Colonels will
hardly come into contact with the army
Still, if it be the intention to put these new
regiments into the field, where their Col
onels would have command Of older and
better regimental commanders, it is a
question for the War Department to de-
termine, and not mine. / must take troops
as they come to me- and respect the COM
| missions they hold"
There is n record Of the increase. on one
| occa sion. Of the army of France from
| 100000 to 100000 in two months time.