Year: 1861

10000 men.


We have here an evidence of the wonderful
strength of our Institutions Without con-
scriptions, levies, drafts, or other extraordinary
expedients, we have raised greater force than
that which, gathered by Napoleon with the
aid of all these appliances, was considered an
evidence of his wonderful genius and energy,
and of the military spirit of the French nation
Here every man has an interest in the Govern
ment, and ruShes to its defense when dangers
beset it.


By reference to the records of the Revou-
tion it will be seen that Massachusetts, with
population of $50, 900 had at one time $4,000
troops in the field, or over Que sixth ct her
entire people-a force greatly exceeding the
whole number of troops furnished by all the
Southern States during that war Should the
present loyal States furnish troops in like pro
portion, which undoubtedly would be the case
should any emergency demand it, the Govern
ment could promptly put into the field an army
of over three millions.


1t gives me great satisfaction to refer to the
creditable degree of discipline OF our troops,
most of whom were, but short time since,
engaged in the pursuits of peace. They are
rapidly attaining an efficiency which cannot
fail to bring success to our arms Officers and
men alike evince an earnest desire to accomp


liSh themselves in every duty Of the camp and
field, and the various corps are animated by
an emulation to excel each other in soldiery
qualities.


The conspiracy against the Government ex


tended over an area of 1888 IA square miles


possessing coast line of 1928 miles, and


shore line of 254l4 mills, with an intetior


boundary line of I OBJ miles in length. This
conspiracy stripped us of arms and munitions,
and scattered our Navy to the most distant
quarters Of the globe. The effort to restore
the Union, which the Government entered on
in April last, was the most gigantic endeavor
in the history of civil war. The interval OF
seven months has been spent in preparation.


The history of this rebellion 10 common with
all others for obvious causes, records the first
successes in favor of the insurgents The
diastcr of Bull Run was but the natural conse-
queuce of the premature advance OF our brave
but undisciplned troops, which the impatience
Of the country demanded. The betrayal also
of our movements by traitors IN our midst en-
abled the rebels to choose and lntrench their
position, and by a reinforcement in great
strength, at the moment of victory, to snatch
it from our grasp. The reverse, Eowever,gave
no GiScOuragement to our gallant people they
have crowded into our ra.kS, and although
large numbers have been necessarily rejected,
mighty army 10 invinCibe array stands eager
to precipitate itself upon the foe. The check
that we have received upon the Potomac has,
therefore, but postponed the campaign for
few months The other successes OF the reoeis, |
though dearly won, were mere affairs, with no
important or permanent advantages The pos
session of Western Virginia and the occupation
of HatteraS aud Beaufort have nOby redeem /
ed our transient reyerseS


At the date of my last report, the States of
Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri
were threatened with rebellion. In Delaware
the good sense and patriotism of the people
have triumphed over the unhOly schemes OF
traitors The people of Kentucky early pro-
nounced themselves, by an unequivocal declara-
ton at the ballot box, in favor of the Union I;
and Maryland, Notwithstanding the efforts OF
bad men in power in the City Of Baltimore, |
when the opportunity of a general election was
afforded. under the lead of her brave and pa
triotic Governor, rebukcd by an overwhelming
majority the traitors who would have led her /
to destruction In Missouri, a loyal State |
Government has been established by the peo- F.,
pie, thousands of whom have rallied to the
support of the Federal authority, and, in con-
junction with troops from other portions OF
the country have forced the rebels to retire
into the adjoining State The Government
established 10 Virginia by the loyal portion of
her population is in successful operation, and
have no doubt will be sustained by the peo
pie of the entire State whenever the thralldom
of the rebel forces shall have been removed.


Thus has it been made clearly apperent that
in whatever direction the forces OF the Union
have extended their protection, the repressed
loyalty Of the people, irresistl5ly manltestlng
itself has aided to restore and maintain the
authority of the Government ; and | doubt
not that the army now assembled on the banks
of the Potomac WILL under its able leader,
soon make such a demonstration as Will re-
establish its authority throughout all the re,
bellious States


The loyal Governor of Virginia is proceed,
ing TO organize Courts under the constitution
and laws Of the State iu all her eastern coun-
ties in the occupation Of our troops. l re-
spectfuly suggest that authority should be
given to the President to send Commissioners
with the army, with power to exercise all the
functions of local government wherever the
evil authority has ceased to exist, and especial
" to enforce the obligations Of contracts and
The collection of debts due to loyal creditors.


As stated in my last Report, at the CON-
mencement of this rebellion the Government
found itself deficient in arms and munitions OF
war, through the bad faith of those lntrusted
with their control during the preceding Ae
The Armory at Harper's Ferry
having been destroyed TO prevent its posses,
sion and use by the rebels, the Government
was compelled to rely upon the single armory
at Springfield, and upon private establish
nents, for supply of arms. Every EFFORT mas
nean made to increase the capaeity OF that