The National tribune., 1904-09-15
and in the face of great difaeuities in army

At this early period of the war the diff
ficulties in arming, clothing, and equip
ping were so great that the services Of
clothing, and equipage have been secured,
it is safe to say that 100000 OF men
could have been placed in service within
five months.
Lincoln's adopted State, Illinois, under
the calls of July 2, and Aug. 4. 1862.
placed in service 5S,6S9 men. OF that
and mechanics of the State-were fur
nished within II days.
"Animated by common purpose, and
firmly resolved on recruiting the Govern
ment, they) left their har-
vests ungathered, their tools on their
benches, the plows in the furrows;" thus
making proud record, without par
allel in the history of the war.
Under the calls of July 2, Aug. 4. 1862,
there were prior to Nov. q, Of that year,
sent into the field: $50 regiments Of in
fantry for three years: So regiments of in
fantry for nine months; "a batteries of ar
tiliery for three years; ~ companies of
cavalry for three years; and SO companies
Of cavalry for nine months.
Also $4,000 recruits for old three-years
regiments-a grand aggregate of O,349
men; an average of about 62,211 per
month.
ONE HUNDRED DAY MEN.
Under the proposition accepted by the
President April 3d. 1864 Of the Cover
nors OF Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, Iowa. and
Wisconsin,, to furnish $1,000 To-day
troops, the Governor of Stanton's native
State, Ohio, In response to the War De-
tribution OF the State to rendezvous in the
various Counties, at the most eligible
places. on the I'd day of May. Seven and
half O'Clock p. m, the same date, re-
ports recited $4,000 men in camp. In 12
days 36,254 men were organized into Al
regiments and one battalion. mustered,
clothed, armed, equipped. and ready for
% days from the date Of rendezvous. the
AZ regiments embracing the force were in
active service.
Here it will be of interest to remember
that from April Is, 1861, to April %.
1865, a period Of about 48 consecutive
months. there was supplied a monthly av-
armies Of 75,OOO men-a large army in
itself. Considering the increase in the pop
ulation Of the United States since the re-
bellion, sound and instructive deduc-
tion can be made relative to the present
military power Of our now united country.
DIsBANDMENr.
The orders for musters-out, issued on
and subsequent to April %, 1855, brought
gladness to many hearts, and the gallant
men who had, after a vast sacrifice of
life and health, caused peace to dawn,
were anxious to pass from the army to
civil life, which they did $50 quietly that
it was scarcely known save by the welcome
to their homes"
The soldiers and the people were tired
OF war. For with truth has it been said
that ''in 625 battles and severe skirmishes
blood flowed like water. 1t streamed over
the grassy plains; it stained the rocks;
the underground Of the forest was red
majestic courage from one conflict to an
other, knowing that they were fighting
for God and Liberty"
cannot think of that terrific struggle
battle in which Lincoln was, for four
long years, the Commander-in-C Chief
without attaching to it the historic words
used in connection with Waterloo. that cul-
unrestful and destructive energy-"a Pc
riOd throughout which the wealth of ma
tions was scattered like sand and the
blood of nations lavished like water:
"A battle fought for the interests Of the
human race, felt even, where they were
not understood; so that the tutelary angel
OF man. when he traverses such dreadful
field, when he reads the distorted features,
counts the CHASTITY ruins, sums the hidden
anguish in the harvests
of horror breathing from the silent
ground
nevertheless, speaking as Gods messen-
ger, 'blesses it and calls it very good.
The rapidity with which the work Of
disbandment was executed will be appar-
ent from the fact that, to Aug. Z 64O, SOC
troops had been mustered out; Aug. %,
719, 1893; Sept. Il, IA, ,107; Oct. 10, 1885,
2O5; Nov. Is, SOO,963; Jan. 20, 1866
oh
SS7; May l, 9S6,7S2; June 80, 1,O1O,67O; :;
Nov. 1, 1,O23,O21-leaving then in service
II ,O43 volunteers. colored and white.
The command of Sherman (Army Of
the Tennessee and Army of Georgia) and
the Army Of the Potomac were the first TO
complete their musters-ont entirely. Reg
iments commenced leaving Sherman's COM
mand, then numbering, present and alb
| sent, 1858 officers and men, from the
| rendezvous, near Washington, on May %.
and on Aug. l the last one Of the regi-
ments mustered out left Louisville, KY,
to which point the command (after the
musters-out therefrom were partly com
pleted) was transferred, and the armies
composing it merged into one-the Army
Of the Tennessee. The work of mastering
out the troops was not eOntinuous-t was
| interrupted and delayed by the transfer of
the two armies from Washington to Louis
| vile, and their subsequent consolidation
heSlIneHtS cOulMe0ceQ leaving the Army
Of the Potomac numbering. including the
Ninth Corps, 161, ,851" officers and men,
present and absent, from the rendezvous,
| near Washington, on May %. and about
| six weeks thereafter July 19) the last regi-
ment started for home. During the inter
val the work, like that Of Sherman's COM
mand. was not continuous. 1t was inter
| rupted and delayed by the movement of
the Sixth Corps from Danville Va, to
| Washington. and the consolidation, by or
ders of June %, of the remaining portion
of the army into provisional corps. num-
bering, present and absent, @, 500 officers
and men.
Thus, for the two commands in ques-
| ton, and between May % and Aug.
| two months), '279,O34 officers and men,
present and absent, were mustered out and
| placed en- route$to their homes
| Including the other armies and depart
ments, the number was increa sed by Aug.
1.-TWO months and seven days. to GAO. .SO6
officers and men.
| A COMPARISON.
Had it been possible to spare all the
volunteers. the entire nuD,ber. 1904 .O64
could easily have been ditbanded and re-
turned to their, homes within. three months
from the date .lAiay -. 1865 the move
ment homeward commenced.
! In Macaulay's England we find the fol-
| lowing relative to the ,disbandmei1t of