The New York Herald Newspaper, December 10, 1863, Page 3

. tt NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1863.—TKIPLE SHEET. er a B general ofciency we are in a condition to matntaw a planding at jeast equal w tbat of any otter Power, Aid by private enterprise, the necessities Of the gountry, ich were great, have been surmounted, and, dispen- sing with tbe old artillery to whica we for a tme wero compelled to resort, ourbaval vessels have vow an arma- Mout worthy of the service. ‘The sugveetions embraced im the report of the Chief of Ordnance are commended to the consideration of Cun. ress, and those whicB relate to the mayazines apd ® nery ship are entitled to special regard. PRES, The number of veesele caytured by the reported to the departinent to the Ist of Nov » 1,045, classified as fotlows:—Schconers, $47; steame 179. Floops, 181; brigs, 30; barks, 26: ships, ‘16; yachts and smait boats, 117. ‘This is exclusive of a large pum. ber destroyed on tho Mississippi and other rivers on the oast. A table giving their names, dates of capture and gr rohigabockad is appended to this report, At“Ihe close of the war of 1812 there were three Bundred and one vessels, includng armed gup- Doats and tenders, in the navy, and vhe entire number of Gapturer of armed and unarmed vessels made by thom was Wr. Five hundred and seventeen commissioned pri- Yatcors were afloat during the war, and their eaptures RBambered | ,423—making the total number of captures by Pubic and pryvate 1,719. The value Of prizes seut to the courts for adjuitication Mince tho blockade was established is not lese than thir- teen mittion dollars, The value of those already con- domned, and of whieh "notice has been received at the de- par ment, #6 $6,538,683 40, the expenses have been $607, 47 64, leaving for distribution $5,897,970 36, as appears Dy the follow ing tabie: «No. of ery om Cost and Pig iscreong Cases, Bepenea, for Distrib’. Boston...... 13 $864,522 15 25,183 44 830,132 71 New York. 89 2.218.203 29 281,162 07 1,937,735 21 Philadelphia. 67 *1,860,434 76 149,806 06 1,670,512 97 Key West... 71 1,482,062 30 133,291 55 1,304,053 81 ‘Washington.. 44 12,091 28 11,966 12 60,909 08 Ditrois...... 11 91,619 28 = 6,993 40 85,025 68 Total...,.,236 $6,638,083 40 GO7,A07 O& 5,607,910 30 Phase ‘of $39,115 "79 allowod to claimants by decree oourt. 2 ‘arising from the gale of leone and be! ‘eee tas Croat sreeath he vy law set apartas a fund for the payment of Baval'pe.sione. ‘The pedsion rollon the 6th of Novem- Der lust amounted to $159,812 55, and the estima crease during the remaining eight months of tl cal year is $32,670. The moioty of prize money dedicated as & pension (und, and now accumulating, should be made a Permanent investment in registered government xecuri- es. Were such the cage, it is believed that the annual lnterest would be suit cient to moet all abilities for naval Pensions. At loast two miition fivé hundred thousand dollars can now be invested without imterfering with Re PLOMM payment of pensions. 1 recommend thit the jad now on band be made permanent, and that herear ter, whenever the amount shall reach one hundred thou- and dollars, at ieast one half shall be invested in reg: tered govertiment securities bearing six per cent interest HOUNTHGS FOR DESTRUCTION OF RNEMIES’ VESSELS. The din rection of the ‘act for the better covernment ‘ef the navy,” approved July 17,1862, provides “that a bounty shail be paid by the United States for cach person on board any ship or vessel-of-war belonging to an enemy at the commaucement of an engagement, which shall be @uak or otherwiso destroyed im such engagement by any ship or vessel belonging to the United States, or which & may be necessary to destroy in, tajuries sustained in action. lars, sf the cnemy’s vessel wi Of two hundred do oq and cre ited ine oF aupetior lore toe divided among the ot w in the same manger ei org money.” ce the enactment of this law there bave been re- ar cases ip which the right to the bounty has acer the officers aud crews of vesse's of tne navy, particu. Tarlarly ou the Western ers; but there being no ap- propriations to which the expenditure coukl properly be “ged, the claims to the Bounty have remained fenscitiol, and the just expectation of these enti fled {0 the reward bave disappointed. The @mount necessary to pay the claims which bave ac @rued would probably pot excoed $250,000; an! it is de. Girable that an early provision be male for the payment Of this just debt. Iu the event of an appropriation for ‘the purpose a board will be appointed by the department for the examination of tbe claims, or they may ascer pained in aay otber manver which Congress may be Pleased to direct PRIZE LAW, ‘Tho interest “ ao bog! dieow Us oy ca nage’ 7 w upon this Trtmeat im that eaboection have Teceesar ily drawn ‘Attention to the present state of our legisiation upon whole subd; It is not doubtful, im my judgment, ification of existing laws, and some addi islation tn relation to prize proceedings and the of the proceeds of é organina- Under thie chane to nay the least, qiite se ‘Appointments of Acting Assigiant paymastera pro- for an existing wecessity, but Jt will be advisable to the corps Of gular poyinasters above the pres- @0t limited oumber either now oF un the Keneral reorgau- feation which must take place on the close of Lstilities. np a fall MANS SOR! 8, Difficulty baa been experienced in keepi of marines ju consequenee of the high ties paid for army recruits, Many whose time feassyire, thoogh preferring to remain with their od @erpe. have been induced by extraordinary bountics to aqmler the army. It has not been the policy o: this depart ment to resort Wo the system of bounties for either the @marine or vaval service, bat circumstances may render Commandant recommends that the corps full, comaiste of three thousand men, sRould to three thousand five bundred, in not bean undue proportion to tbe naval & large portion of the vessels Bow in com f a.description that do not require a marine , therefore, the cor; fe 2 i tt rl were full, the present would probibiy be anilicient for present require On a few important occasions @ batiatiou has detailed for army duty, but the want of equipments end etiver causes render (heir employment in a service to @bich they are not drilled, and to whieh the Belong, a question of doubiful expediency. It Mon, indeed, whether it would oot be boiter fm cvery respect to attreh the corps permanently tothe wavy or the army, and make it exclusively gwabject to the control of owe of the other branches of gervice, instead of occupying an equivocal porition ax both. discipline ef the « Boers are some who wou! fw earvoatly recommended oy the Colonel Commandant SS juatice to the corps requires that its chie! should corresponding rank with ovber officers who have |tke command. | Mave therofore respectfully submitted thie subject to the consideration of Congress. COART SURVEY. It in due & tho officers connected with the coart that the hav ear squadrons § should value of the information which our war cannet be ieexcellent, aud among itr do eredit to any service. It vey to The bave y blockading | forces throughout overestimated. Not only on the coast Dat on the great intorior rivers, they have alded the ser and ite eMiciency and its intelligent action. Admiral Porter expresses his great obligation to a ema — he party that accompanied tho Missisnip oe for maps and sketches which were used , aid consulted by the army officers iv guiding | ‘They were constantiy employed iv de. | ‘operations. Mineating tho face of the country, gaining topographical | and hydrographice! knowlodge, compiling maps and aietching, when to maps were found to be er @onewus, The squadron would have been sometimes embarrastod without them. Wo cannot be succes Gully carried on without good maps, ond the general or @Mwiral who bas (ke best charts will have au wivan' juccess. INALS AT PRA, ing collisions ct Rea, we been signala to be used, aud ‘and.rogulations to bo observed by seagoi approaching each otber. Heretofore there bar not respects, and disanvers the consequence. In order that the Unigersa! = among | the governmenta of Great | France prepared a set of rules and reguls ), whieh have been aed to the various maritime pie | are the rr of government | was inv! early part t year, These pales, being yery nearly those whieh hed” erned the 0} ned Service, inatructiona ware issued to our Baya! ovicers to conformy them, But poh erg are mere deyartaaenta! regulations, and de not extend to ‘wonsols in tho macchant service. In order to carry them into ¢t, aod give them the force of international maritime yw, Bore logistative eanction seers It i also rable these raler should apply to vemele te the mer @tent vorvico, end ell vorsels on our rt sod injand Wad ors should be required to conform to them. DEFENCE OF PORTSMOUTH NAVY Tenn. ‘The exposed condition of the navy yard and pablic wty at Vortamouth, Now Hampabire, requiring pro- jon, aud there having been no garrison for tue detance that’ yla aieltions mearures to ines decane neo srary leven eight-inch guns w fogiy moaaied on the old breastworks on Seavey’s jataahy fe frout of Lo navy yard, and five guor of the sare Galibre in the yard \ts6f, abd as there were no marines @F soldiers to wan them, one hundred contravands were @piiated at Furtecss Moo roe aod sent North for that par- nae, They are ia charge of aval Offers, and are being ved 10 the of beavy ordnance Tek RaTRDGR, (ng the practice in simiar cases heretofore, and view (0 eich activ ae Congress may deem proper, take this ocoasion of bringing to your pothee, and that the foes of the United States brig Main eT under command of Acting Master fT. 3. Dwyer, sallod from New York on tho 14th of August, for Vort Roysi,South Carotina, and from the statement @f ono of her crow, who was picked up at rea, and @aimed io vd thé only survivor, the gnfortunats vowel Gapaired bi mGa'd PT Cape Hheterar, on the diet of Angust. No furthe? [ings of tte brig, or thove wt Pere vn board of hér haviag been received, ard oo view of the time that Bag elayeed, tere reoms 1 be BO doubt of ber loas wicti cl op bord, exdayt the reaman fe'erro! to, It resis wih Congress to fe ® day opon Thich tbe vee shall be renarded as baying pew lors, In order that the accohnts of those who perisbed may bo properly adjusted, and to make proper PFOV sion Crthe families of those who shared (he fate of the Bainbridge, ‘The rystem of wakile ‘eontracts under jaws, by advortis snd bward to th 4 bidder, is au igh many difficulties Darrasamente and often MP woe to tbo yoveroment, JD it extent the and honest dealer is axcluded, or deterred from competion, by tbe devices cf the logs oka Pulous, who resort to contrivances © evade the law, and themselves the contracts, It is tbe object of the goverment to obtain good articles, at a fair priee, and the laws were intended to secure this result; but by eom- binations, fictitious bide, proposals from irresponsible porscpa, ‘and variong artful echemes, the of the jaws ip defeated, and the means which were intended by ress to d the rightaof the fair dealer and the Public interest are perverted, to the injury of beth. When proposals aro made (0 furnish the government with supplies at prices below the market value, as is done Jn many cases, the transaction indicates frand. Contractors: do not intend to make josing contracts with the ment, and fa'r and responsible dealers do not proposals, Such men are driven from ‘these improper practices. Toe law, permite alternative but the acceptance of the lowest offer, regard- Jeas of tile character of the individual who wakes it or ‘the devices he practices, Were the subject of purchases confined to the reapec- tive bureaus, under sanction of the Seen. the gov- pecure to ernment would, Lam confident, be better iy mora economically served. A di of discretion can be entrusted to. thove , who are men of integrity and responsible to the government, to diechargo this duty with fidelity, ADVANCE IN WAGES. The enhanced prices in every’ department of business, and even in the vecessaries of jife, operate with peculiar hardship on many who are in the government service, To come instances, where there is a fixed legal compen sation, the ¢ rcumstances of the times bave so changed values that the remuneration received is scarcely sufll- cient for the subsistence of those whe are in the employ of the government. The subject is one that peculiarly addresses it#eif to Congress, and it may be worthy of consideration whether an advance of twenty-five per cent upon their preset compensation ought not in these cases: to be ‘to continue until one year after the close of the war. In the ae yards, and’ pablic and private es- tablishments generally, a8 large or larger advance bas been made to the mechanics and othor employes. EXPENSES AND RATIMATER. ‘The riations made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1863, were...........+. $71,687,052 09 Expenses of the department during the fame time,........++ seecee 63,217,105 27 Leaving an nnexpended balance of....... $8,375,046 82 This amount wil, however, bo absorbed in the com- pletion and armament of vessels under contract and the payment of other Hiabilities incurred prior to the close of tho fiscal year... ‘The expenditures have embraced, besides the ordinary disbarsements for the naval establishment, the construc- tion, in whole or in part, and the repair of seventy one iven-clad vessels on the Atlaptig avd Western waters, the Purchaaing, repairs and alteratfovs of three hundred and Sixty vessels, as wellas the charter money for the or dinary service, and for search after piratical vessels on $he COAah, “wy The estimatés submitted for the fiscal year ending July 20, 1865, are as follows — $19,423,241 00 Construction BRO sas asess< 6 89,342,000 00 Construction and repair of vessels 32'575.000 00 Construction of armor plated sea steam&ra 19,600,000 00 Ordnance ané magazines 8 603,946 00 Fuel, hemp and equipment of veesel 7,540,000 00 Provisions and clothing... 6,919,005 00 | Contingent and miscellaneo: 8.969.550 00 Navy yards and superintendents.,... 2,655 448 00 Marine corps... aR 1,445,321 66 Surgeons’ necessaries and horpitais. 368,500 00 Tables of Bavigation, nautical instruments and Navel Academy ........ ve ++ 806,878 55 MA LIE $142,618,785 40 ‘These ostimates aro large made tpon a war basis, and the present extraordinary coat ot material ‘and labor renders a corresponding increase of estimates necessary. On the assnmption that the war will cou- tinue—and no other rulo is a safe one—| additions are to be made to our naval force, and the service, to which all.our squadrons are subjected, makes the repair and refitment expensive. Accpsiderable portion of thin expenditure will be an investment for value received, and tbe vessels will remain on hand when |. The efficient continue to copatitute the armed naval power that will be used ¢> vindicate and defend our national rights or may be considered am econo mica} mvestment to insure peace. Such vessels as may not be adapted Lo naval ocean service can be sold tothe merchant marine, from which many of them were pro- ured Whatever sums may be expended for docks, ee Meer Kets will be permanent in- ‘vestments for the country . 810: CONCL.UEION, Inconeluding this report, it is with sincere 6eation Tacknowledgo the able . efficient aid which I have Feceived in the performance of my duties from tbe gentlemen w their several grades, have boon ‘with me in this ment. I have, on former occasions, expreased my high eciation of the services Of the Assistant Secretary and of the several chiefs of bu- Teaus, whose intercsting papers are Additional experience only confirms this favoral 1 com- mend also the faithfurand satieMetory manner in which Cerical labors of the department the k Seve — pao. te pao See tome pare] a alteirs department doring-a period of trial at iW the course of ‘which our country, by an effort challenges the admiration of the world, bas not only a & fen bog ml re BUC” conefully power in uous paval ever undertaken, | When ‘wader such circum: ing all my energies to the duties «of my and nein its grave reapouribilities to the best of my ability, 1 nave copatant!y chee ed and sustained by the assured convietion that the navy of ‘the Unite | States has achieved a great and new histori al remown, that it has expanded and i# expanding in a Measure commensurate with the exigencies of the coun try and of the times; that rt has done and 4s doing herotc service in a great and sacred cause, and that ite force is wielded ty & boty of officers and men who hage ostab- Nebed the highest claim UW the gratitude of the: GIDBON WELLES, Secretary of ( To me PResvmnt The New Yerk Centr pany. ELECTION POR DIRECTORG TREMENDOUS EXCITE: MENT—THE CANDIDATES ETC. “ Aunany, Dee. ©, 1863 The election for directors of the New York Centra! | Railroad commenced at eleven o’cleck, and is progressing | slowly; there is no probability that it will be got throngn with today. Lawyers are engaged on both sidea—Or Jando Meade for the ioxpector#; Parker and Beach for the regular ticket, and Porter and Joboson for the opposition. ‘The attendance of stockholders i unneualiy large. They are now fo resmion discussing the Fifth avenue reao- lution, : The following are the tickets »— Reqular—Brasys Corning, Dean Richmond, Jobn K | Chedoll, Alouzo C, Page, Jobn V. 1. Pruyn, Natha Thayer, Livingston Spraker, Jacob Gould, © J. Tracy Chas H. Ruvgell, RM. Blatchford, Hamilton White, H. A. Martin. Inspectérs—George Dexter, Rofur 6. Beardsloe, Stephen Groesbeck. Opperition—vean Richmond, Hiram Sibley, John K. Chedell, H. Waite, K. Sage, J. W. Olevet, H. H King, Edward Learned, ©. W. Chapin, J.P. Moore, M. Delano, EG. Fale, Wm. F. Weld. Inspectore—R. G. Beardelon, George Dexter and Stephen Groesbeck. Aunamy, Dec. 9-2. M At a meeting of the stockholders of the Central Rail road this afternoon Judge MeConihe, of Troy, presided, aod Henry Koseboom, of Oteego, acted as recretary. Tho annual report was referred to Messrs. Hiram Sib. Joy , Charies Stebbings, John Knower, Wm Kelly and D. | 1. Fearing, who are requested to examine the mame and report thergom to the stoekbolders wiibin tixty days Reoolutions were adopted, first, that the stockholders | should be furnished, at least thirty day® prior to each @houal election of directors, with an approximate etate ment of the more important transactions of the compavy for the fear pext preceding the 30th of Angust or Se#p. | tember, second, affirming that as a general principle railroad sepplies ehould be advertised for and purchased from those offering to fureigh them on the mont reasonable terms; third, expressing fail confidence in the ability and integrity wilh which Frastus Corning bee performed the duties of President, aff attributleg much of the ruceeas of the company to his attention sad devotion At seven P.M. the election was adjourned until tew A. M. tomorrow. Thue far between four and fve mil lions have been voied, about four-Githa of which have | ‘oon cpat by Mr. @leott for the opposition tieket. The | ater #ide have not get voted any proxion Pmicavmrma, Lee. 9, 1863, The subscription agent reporta the sale of § five-twanties to-day. Pane Puxstam, Brooniey.—The itorest whiek for the Past week bes been manifested in the drama of “The Impostor,” ot the Park theatee, appears to contowe ae | front as ever. Notwithstandiog that | \# on tbe etaye for seven mighte, the house war very respec tably Gued last evening, and the applause was ay hearty as ever, The drama being @m adaptation from the Frevch—aod | wo “will eay a clever one, too—partakes of ihe \uteose sensational character @hich ren dere modern plays 60 | popular in Prance, ahd hes found for them po \\itle appre. + ciation Of our own sage. ‘The Impostor’’ tw full of tore mriking ineitents, situations aud tablewos from beginning to end, which tarry the audience with them. The dialogue ia telling, without dPireme=n oF waporfuity and the polmte are all well made. Much of the wuconms of the piree ia, no doubt, due to the admirable manaer in which Mr. Gabrie Harrison has pat i apon the stage, Well a9 t0 big owt parsmation of the leading part—Kart, 6 pew, aod vous the lead exciting frou ite apparent im probability. The scenery i well cot wp thronghout, the closing tableas of the expiceion © the amoggler'e oot Deing exeredin, i produced The leading pervormera were al) (alied e the cortad Sd mem warmly ap | riotism, | ers he, withoat jart cane ww The plot of the pisce # very striking, quite | parvied prieowers its phe ram wee done with hore parolal sett, and Wto tin. ve th ite polars aud of)-ers, Primomers of war sot therefore am » Of the propored er ord “THE ARMY. Annual Report of the Secre- tary of War. The Cartel and <he Vicksburg Prisoners. The Number of Union Prisoners in the Hands of the Rebels. Resources of the Country De- veloped by the War. Fifty Thousand Soldiers and Ten Million Dollars Secured by the Draft, Success of the Enlistment of | fais Negro Troops, &e., &e., a Wan Drranruxnr, Wasinnaron Crrv, Dec. 6, 1863. companymg report of” General Hitcheock, Commissioner of Exchaoges. As tle matter pow #tands, we have over forly thousand prisovers of war ready at aby moment Lo be exacha: |, Mam for man, aod Officer, for officer to the number beld by!the rebois “This sanber is ®D out Chirteon thousand, and they ary suppl) HD food od raiment hy Unis as + apd by CUP fovoleut wid charitah'- “axctudlot® Aud tdividuals. _2W9 oF Captaing Sawyer and Flynn, held by tho Tebe's. are sentenced to death by way af prete ded faliation for two prisonerg tiled and shot as spies b; command of Major General ido. Two Pebeis of have beeo designated and are held as hostage: for them, ‘The rebel priseners of war in Our posession have here- tofore been treated with the utmost humanity and tender Does Couristent with security, They haye bad goo quarters, (ull rations, elothing when needed, and the same Dospital treatment received by our own soldiers dulgence of (riendly visits and rupplies waa formorly per mitted, but they been cut off since the babarity practiced against our prisoners became known t the | governinent If it should become necessary for the mep, sirict retaliation will, bo rosortod rebel authorities suffer this government to foed and Our troops held a8 prisoners, wo xball bo comtont to continuo to their prisoners in our handxjthe humane treat ment they have uniformly enjoyed. 1m URAYT. The operation of the act of Congress for enrolling and ailing out tlio national forces is exhibited in the accom. panying report of the Provost Marahal General. At the timo that lw was ogaeted it was known to be very tn- joct, many intelligent persons considering its execu Jo wholly impractivable, while few dared to hope for apy important benefit, The law has bem enforced in twelve Sia‘es. It has brought from theca Staves 0,000 sol- diers, art has raised @ fund of over $10,000,000 fur procur- substitutes. With all ite imperfections, it is demon- strated the act can be made an effictent means for re- eruiting the armies and calling out tne national forces. ‘The principal imperfections and the required amond- ments will be rubmitied to Congress through the appro» priato committees. The mos! important to le considered i called the three hundred commutation. This Of the bill bas beon much discussed, and tho op- posing opinions are nearly bulanecd ag to the operation And effect of this provision, While some claim that it in Seppressive npon poor mon and favors the rich, ot ontend that it places the rieb amd poor on an oqual foot ing, and evabios the poor man to obtain exemption from military duty for a sum within the reach of every one. Without undertaking to reconcile or decide between these conflicting opinions, it is certain that thin clause of rotection of our Mr. Prreoxer—A general summary of the military ope- { exemption, as it atands, occasions delay in calling out the rations of the past year 1s furnished by the report of General-in-Chief, herewith submitted. A list of the de- tailed official reports that have been returned to this department by the generals commanding also accompa, nies this report. ’ OUR VICTORIEA—VALOR OF THR TROOTA. Tho influence of these operations in suppressing the rebellion and restoring tho authority of the genoral gov- ernment cannot be overestimated. The victories of Stone river and of Gettysburg, the operations before Vicksburg and Port Hadson, the occupation of East Tennesse, the battlo of Chickamauga and the recent splendid successes before Chattanooga, and other engagements of less note, are events that evince skill, courage and loyal pat. and a brilliancy of military. achievement by the foreea of the United States unsurpassed, jn any age, while the lees fortunate battles of Fredericksburg aud Chancellorsviiie manifested the spirit. and fortitude of our troops in a degree worthy of the highest admiration, OPRNING OF THR Mises KEIPPT. By the reduction of Vicksburg and Port Hudson the navigation of the Mississippi river has been opened, and the national commerce is rapidly and securely returing to that great highway of the continent. The rebel terrl- tory bas been cut in twain. The States west of the Mississippr no longer furnish their ample supplies to the rebels, while the people of those States are showing such signs of returning joyaity that a speedy restoration of civil government may confidently be anticipated. In this view, the reduction of the strovgbolis, the capture of prisoners by thousands, and the acquisition of immense stores of munitions of wag are not more important than the political consequences of these great military achieve- ments, TENNESSE — CHARLESTON. sf ‘The occupation of Kast Tennessee by the forces under General Burnside, and the operations resulting in the oc- cupation of Chattanooga and defeat of Bragg’ army by the forces under General Grant, not only shed lustre upon our arms, but, by affording protection to a loyal popula- tion, they cannot fail greatly weakon the rebel strength and operate gtrongly in reétoring the authority of the federal government. Combined operations against Charleston have not ae- complished all that was expected from them. But te seizure and occupation of Morris Island by the forces ‘ender command of General Gillmore, the reduction of Forte Wagner anc Sumter are exploits in which the akill and gallantry of the officers and the valor of our troops have boon exhibited in a degree of which the country is juatly proud, TEXAS —THM BAST, In the State of Texas the fag of the Union has, doring the whole war, been upheld by a «mal! force at Franklin. So the rebels have never muccesded in wholly axcluding Peteral authority from that State. The large force under General Banks now operating i Texas will afford pro- tection to the loyal population, who ba i anxiously looking for sufficient military to re establish civil goverument. That period ay pen By the occupation of that tate the chief avenve of the rebels tor foreign commerce aud foreign aid i* cut off In the Kast the position of military aifaire has not vn dergone any material change,” in Juue the long cherished design of the rebel leaders to transfer the seat of war from their own territory to the loyal States was under taken by their favorite commander and their principal army, but the defeat of General Lee by the forces under the command of General Meade, at Gettysburg, destroyed their expectations, and drove back the enemy to bis accustomed shelter in the mountaing of Virginim. The armie: of Gen. Meade and Gen Lee now occupy relatively nearly the same portion as at the date of my Las! annual report. The numerous comlar’e anil engagements betwern dle trchments of these armirs have Attended with perhaps equal lows on both sider, and wiMout any material advan to either Yestern Virgin departmant to be people of that newly organi parative pos Diersing of 1 goverument The military operations in the Northwest Department ind, in ayreat measure, destroyed the how tile * ‘and afforded protection to the people in that rom om Indian barbar ities Tn the Department of Missour) the rebel forces have been driven beyond the Arkansas line No military operations have token place of any magni: tade im the Departments 0 Virginia and North Carolina A threatened siege of Norfolk and Suffolk by the rebel General Loogetreet was tbwarted by the gollant energy of General [ix, and a siege of Washington in North ¢ lina by the rebel General Hill proved abortive RVR RROEL WTATH UNDER THE FAC The fod force ia vow firmly planted rebel State, and there is reason to hope that protection the loyal people of those States wil Off the yoke of their Waders, and seek within that peace and security for life, liberty and pro which in blind madness were recs lesviy thrown away REDUCTION OF THR RETIN ATH The suecess of our arm the last year has ena Jed the departinent 10 make action of over two bun dred millions of doliare in the war ext) wuing fisea! year THR CanreD — 2ONRRS IN RIEHRT FANT In the operations that have been alluded to prawn war to the number of abont thirteen thousand have fa’ into the hands of the evemy, and are pow held by them From the commencement of the rebellion unt)! the War Department eame into my charge there was no carte! or formal exchange of prisonere; but at an early period afterwards a just and reesonable cartel war made be tween Major Genera) [ix and the rebel General i whieb, uatil receatly, was faithfnliy seted y both partie. Exchanges under that cartel are now ed main'y for the following Prrat—At Vieksbure I} inte our hands. Vort Hi to retarn t is rej ted by the com any rebel “tate are enye pander of that force. and th in com ha’ in every nder ite son — thirty thoom over five were paroled aud exchanged, purs rebel agent, in jeclared the Vickabarg prisoners exc! nt being exchanged The Port Hudeor and in open via! felessed (rom their par retorwed to their ranks, sud were found fgbting at Chattanooga aga For this breach of faith—rnexumpled in civ fare—the only apology OF excuse was that ai val ure ber of prisoners had boen captured by the ene .ny on ailing for specifications In regard to these aleced Priswmors, it war fowud that ® conside ' r represented a# prinouere were not soldier % hon combatants, citizene of towne and vitinges, fam. ere, travellers and there @ civil life, not capt in (bateh bat ken at their homes, on ther farms or'on the highway, by Jobin 0 and other rebel raider, who pat them To balance Lunes mon againat rebel soldiers take: d would be oy ing enemy from th and evabie him \o protreet the contest to under a wha: ‘ax prisoners of war, but would ve given up for Ment to the “tate authorities These proceed ny « rebel authorities were met by the carwert And protest oo thi government, bntwithont te The offers by our Commianioner to exchange a man and oflicer for officer, of Wo reerive aud te for our own seidiers ander the wit guaranwe hat they Fhould vot 9 1010 the field antl daly excl cag Were rejected In the momtrtime well aytty statements show thal ont Croopm belt ae pris Beret were fepriy hove poriatied lothing and f bar bariy 08 this govern + tie ruifermmy © opens tron of exe ok te actanily exctmmeed. (he oom (ot 4 be a Renwinte the rebels Ur grit ont the field anew army forty Uhoveand steong, boring the without eichasee, ae | it Viekebare and For livd 1d Of the rebels the cokorad | hoare ae! ferirded by them aw | titled & Lhe beaete Wig) OMrenpn darn 0 Meh 1 the cangr The fa the snbinet are © dete the | Military force, The drafted man i# exempted, at the end of « long proceeding, by the payment of a suin of manoy, Supposing that sum to be adequate for procaring & substi tute, considerable tinge must unavoidably elapse before competent substitutes can be procured.” The queation whether this clause shall romain or be stricken out ro quiros the early attontion of Congress, SONSTIEUTRA— THR OUNTIPE. The fund of $1 , rained by the act tation money, if deposited with the Umited tant Ircaurers, and is being appliod to pre Btituies Ry the payment of bounties and p voluntooring is golng OR In some Btates with much spirit e prine Importance of Ailiag up. thi mente and the superiority of such force over new regiments, i f& point on which all military experience and opinions agree. The bounty paid by the goveroment is, there! Himited to volunteers, Who KO IDLO old regiments or vet erau regiments that revew their term of service. To vetoran volinteers golhg into old regimeute the maximum Dounty of the government is paid J 4 HO-RSLISEMRNTH OF VETERAN TROOPS—DRAKTRO MEN. | Reporte from the armies ppdjeate that a large prop rion Of the (roong, whosede:m expires Rext year will re-enlist, it being Htipubhted by she government they shall have at leas! one month's fw rir before their present (ime expires. Tho indicatione are that the foree required will in a great mea: raised by Volunteering and without a draft. It is proper to add that the commanding generals boar testiininy that the drafted inenwho have gone imo tho ranks aojult themselves well and make good soldiers. An jinmediate appropriation for bounties ehould be made. sure THE INVALID CORPS, Invalid Corps has begn organized, under the direction of the Provomt Marshal General Yn the sanguinary batties agementa of this war, and by camp disea: ad soldiers have been disabled for acti re yet able to perform duty in garrison, or wa depot aud prison guards, military police, and in the arrest of sxulkers and deserters. To give honorable employment to this meritorious class, who baye suffered in the ner vioegof their country. and to liberate able bodied soldiers from duty that can well be performed by invalids, was the par © in orgapizin corps. Pech ty chotsand officers and privaten, who are fully eon ployed apd their service has increased the strength of the armice in the Geld, while by their vigiiance desertion frown the army bae in @great measure beeu checked. The beceficial results anticipated from this orgabization have been more than realized the detaiis in respect to this organization feference is made to of Provort Méfrsbal Goveral, which i# also referred to 1 details in reapect to the operations of the act euroling 2 caiting out the national forces, and the required amendnents, ° . TUR COLORRN TROOPS, Immediately after the l’resideut’s emancipation pro clamation diligent efforte were commenced and have cov port of ite chief shows what progress has beea made. Over fifty thousand mon are now orgauized and tu the ranks, and the number will rapidly increase #s our ar | mics adv: La he revel States The raising of there but while the | A | Prictou primers ‘Os. 04 Anpowder in Iba LOTS tbs none jufantry .. 1,680,220 Accoutrements (or 196,208 It now bumbers over | on Daud O Juno YO, 1863, Ae BbOW>D J iho following ta dies, via — : ar $ aa jm p ky Aiaian Li ae ees te Siege apd seacoam — ba iF & Aruilery.. 1082 1,064 088 7 au 2,75 ast hal 47,4 1900144 180 876 B920t sos 38 12 Rie 24 . ss 337 TLSaT 67k baits and MS, 256 A 109 iad bi OO 2.508.744 1,745,986 1,150.74 De... oe 1,901,776 T1T76,774 063.015 29,024,025 ar TMS TG 254 $78,854. 106 181,019 012 Hous aT) TA 211,670 (doable). "ase 17488 RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY DEVELOPED RY THE WAR, The resources of the country for {he py and munitions of war have only e omar nt may be iniorred from tho oner. Hes shown by the foregoing tata 4 during the lat Now all these things factured at home, and we are independe fi " tries, not only for the manufacture, but also for the matervils of which they are co 1. ‘The ‘oxcelienee of the arma and munitions of of American manufacture which have been shipped by the Orduance Hepartinent to the army has been #0 obvious that our &K¢ no longer willing to ake those which been imported from other countries. The made during tho war to extend and improve the manufacture of arma and munitions have resulted in disc vores of groxt importance to the country, In peace as well as war, Among the arte thus improved is th manufacture of wrought Iron, now rivaling the qualitios of iron of Sweden, Norway abd England This esuctry until the present year, has relied upon those countries for material to make gan barrols, bridle bila, car whoo! (irom and other artic iuiring Iron of fine ‘quality, Trga our own prod now superior to that obta abroad, THR MNATIA—COAST DRFRNC HS. The law of 1808 mac provision for the diture of $200,000 for arming tho militia of That eum i inaufticiont for the wants of t pulation of the try. Two n | y approprint that purpose supplied in proportion (8 the popal numbor of arms that have been distributed in some of the States, to moot the exigencies of war From the report of the Chief of Engineers, it ay that the grants mude by Congtese for fortifeations, last session, amounted to $5,200,000 for porinaneat works, aud $700,000 for temporary works. These liberal provisions allowed very material progress being mado | upon important fortifeations ow under construction and of essential modifications being affected in old works | and existing batteries to obtain largely increased efll- | ciency by preparing them to recelve ordnance of great increased calibre, and to sore great bulks of ammunt- tion, with additional safety therefor © Important obect# have been yory genorally re Dificu! existing last year in the procurement and tracsporta of materiala, and in obtaining the requisite amount of skilled and ordinary labor, bave increased; but these dificuities have boon surmounted to ruch adegren that the general result is very favorable and border forfificationy are now 40 condition bo formidable defence decidedly stronger tan inst y WHT POINT MILITARY ACADIEY. Tho report of tho Annual Board of Visitors to the Mili tary Academy igeubmitted. —Thore being no reprosentae tion from the rebel Btates in the academy sinve the war commenced, there oxiated accommodation for a cousiter able numbor of cadets beyond those furnished from tho loyal States, There acemed to be no good reason why the advantages of the academy should not be employed to their fullest capacity, and accordingly the vacen ciew were lied’ up by appointments from the Voyal States, gonerals commanding armios being tnvitod to furnish names of deserving young mon, and in this way the number of cadets allowed by law havo been adinitted to the advantages of a military education in the academy | at Wort Point. A general statement, howing the | ion In Life of the cadetsfor a number Of years past, au list of the present officers and cidets of the acatemy, company tho report of the Chief Engineer. WE NORTON YRON TRE. ‘ub the e#urvey of lakes have been the last season consisted in ‘the survey of Vortage eotry on Lake Superior, aud in resuming the survey of Groen flay and its ontrance from Lake Michigan, also in periodical examinations of the channole of the Bt. Clair Fiate and of Lake George, on St. Mary’ river. CObser¥ations for the tinued until the present time for raising colored ba determination of geo joa! pomttions, of the flactuamions The Adjutant General was seat to the - | and elevations of the rurfaces of lakes, of metereolngion| sigsippi valley to organize the slaves there , Ae stabeaced in tbe operations of the survey. A bureau to have charge of all snatters belongtug to such umber of lake ot diatributed to navigators up troops was organized ip the War ent. ‘The ro 1, 1543, exeoods twenty-tour thoueand, of to October 1, which four thousand wore distributed during the past experionced officer has detailed 10 examine report what ternporary works are required to guard the lake khorwt from rebel pirntical raids. The depart ment charged with the disbursement of,funds for survey for tailitary delences hax, in addition ‘to ite current du cour pline 1s have #hown bow grouudiess were these ap. prehensious, The slave has proodl his manhood and hve | capacity astm infantry soldvem ot Milliken's Bend, ai the | ascaul’ vpen Port Hud on and dhe stormang of For! Wag. ner. The apt qualifications of the colored mas for artil lery service have long been known and recogulzed by the | naval service; and the subjotned extract from an official thirty men of Company A cavalry (African), 1% © iY of the Fourth [imoiw waliey, met, one Mississippi regiment with Afly men of the First batt cavalry, while on a scout up the Ya. mile peyond Sartosia, ove bundred of the First and Tuird Texas cavairy. The Firet Mines sippt behaved nobly, neither lacking Courage nor aLend! nesk, firing with cvolness and deciginv. Ihe engagement! Jneted half an hour, the Texans being totally routed ang demoralized. We captured twenty eight and of arma aud sev@ prisoners’ min PAY 10 A RAN The colored troops have allowed 89 bounty der the construction gives by the Department they ean only, by the existing law. vay of teb dollar | per month pwhile other soid iors 2 thirteen dollars per month, with atious There seems to be “0 | this distinction, and same pay and bounty as whi! is recommended. As soldiers of the Union, tghting un der itdbanver, expowing their | the gov ernment, colored troopx are entitled to en.oy itm juntioe ud boneficance. TUR COLORED Womry « The fortunes of war have ir large pumber of eolored women and infirm persone. Their care, #ipport and protection reat apolemn trast wpoo tbe goverumeat. Their neces fitkes bave Lo some extent beer \igd by the orders of this department: but a general yermacent system for thelr protection and support #hould be speed ly adopt ed by Congroms. Bven if they are to be regarded in some degree axa burthen upon tne goverumnest, they are the enemy Every woman aod child (re a tomixty has to tie rebel \ ‘Thotr labor iu the cotton be m ie i not ber that w mid {ped they should support a rebe! master wb aimee uA? wines, within our lines ® coildren, and ome aged of pro’ | them than is in arma THe HUMES RRPOMTR— TI AD! TANT The reports of the Chiefe of Iiurowu ia thie department exhibit fully their réspective operatous du > inet et al ' b pe Adjulan\ Coners opts that the busine it * ofion bam preatty nereased during tho part Your by. the creation of the Provort Marrbal General's | ireau aud the | Hareau for the Organization of Colored Troops He recomsnends, Orat, that the term of enliatment in the reguiar service be ‘fixed at | inatead of five, in acerrdance with the act 1841, why expired bywimitation On the Lat of January, 196 ond, that the jaw regulating (ue tof chaplaine be amended #0 ar to allow half mon during absence on leave orrasioned by than w full pay, wiih when a A serious evi! arising from (he « duty, Dam, to the past year, been | Two boards are (0 remsion—one other at Cineinoat)—vefore ove of wh # left their commands ia conserer | ordered wo appear aa foon ae they ore | They wodergo on examination by the boar cotmmmended, ae to Abeir coadityo | tor turther leave ofMibebase or for merical tres general hompital of the elty where the b lat if found Gt for daty the prosident of thom forthwith to thete regiments the board are & guide ty the A ora Wi mAking delete for mur of other Night duty, and in recone F abamnce orf ime bi the wat requires — ‘The report : with regimental reports of a kO0N8 certificates (ram mug) syetem of agcountability fo a rie of Fortifications, and for the forces in the! he expenditures for there 2a eo. .rinal! ar for men and hereon worl wt Broa! year by ; —— Irom am chane apd map 7 Held, siege and nemenaet osur 08 and other inphagemote, 189 841 womke han tor £ 251 NY cartnes sod puntede tor ro 1275 000 amen 4%) 040 carte {0 wee 200 Fidgen (or wmatl artoe | 1410400 ber oommem One 5 ile 09 Ur primers. j 160108 gumpewier O1V,ATR cate of av ontenenen 1419 nom . to LAL rete of artillery bernene “a, An meat of material hs 4 Ut Ailieeowk SOME E, Abd werk fer wre laren quantiien ia ad mitolacture and repaure ot Jeneloments Of ware wee in Uy of he principal wriieien of th the Aeparctmant Ce ae bow ort the at Mar? bets OFHatEd, td he qeReLes tro pabas beep rotarded—Qret, by the military opera tions 1s progress, and, second the removal of the | | slaves tuto the interior, beyon@ tHe reach of the recruit, | Ingoficers. Ite hoped thie obstacie will soon be en | tirely overoome. Many persons believed, or pre to believe, and confidently aaserted, thai freed slaves would noi munlee good thoy would lack iifty picked mea - | 8g ere | | wea the THR QU AMTEAM ABTEN GRNRRAL, ‘The clothing aud equipment of troops, thoir shelter and | transportation, the purchase of borker, wagoes avd rules, the supply of forage, the constructhen, repair aod work military roads, aod the supply of boate for transportation by water, constitute the Important daties { the Quarterinaster Gevers!'» Lepartment, ‘The details of those operativng, #0 far as in proper Cor public iuifor mation, are contained jn the Acting Quarmaster General's report, And need pot hore be reoapitulated The adejuate supply of mules and horses and (heir pub Sistence are among the most arduous dutiee of the ner woatize this branch with adeqna'o eiper | Visio and proper eoomemy, ro far am ‘prasticable, a cay alty borean was ostarisbed a fow months | 12 Operation at Gieseboro of) It im beliey | Dene Veh KproverDeDt may bea geace and Gdg ty ou ihe part of the « with this important duty baw, eon inak ments, but iu Bemtow, ti, ivulew when’ porsibie, been proc te nearer to our arinies in goueral by contract, » if times (rom the block and the Guill and tor @ at New Urieane, bee! in forwarded on the hoof from New York. It i# belleved that at every point the troops have been supplied with abundance of good wholesome (ood and that if he movement Of the armies, temporary Want has bees felt, it bas bot beet due yw any carne of w tnent had combeo! | ant . wonbes elm © furviahed political of war, of contrabands, aud to guflering Unwn f our armies tom Great hupe of the accounta of | omint je and Mt. Lous Flow ured jo the same manner of has been ob. the bo Om the coast of tb 0 portion of ihe year and ad. 0 taker placa in the rer Although exmen of , | The Paymaster en pore: vem that, @ t peoding Operations, the variona armies in the fold are rubmtantially paid U) Getober 81. se latest period silowed by law and the regelations and funds have taen provided and placed ia proper bande for full payment of Lronpe ia the nervice up to the ws towed We PERO RON ORDERS y repertof the Acting Margen ( wlormed that the latest reports receive general poapiiale, Wikh @ capseity OF 4,472 bed number of patieuts roma) rab ow | June 90, 1805. wan mt of the leven per 4 wer pant te Pa wee wt out er pe of Ledical Inepeatwr Walroot Harter, alter dante and « Appropriatious are asked for the | these bospiais, od O@ braneporis ber of mate anno be eng | aud preservation of patboiog lea mureuin baw beet wetabiie:od aod eraminaton f drags vy tome whore as o with » ith of tality lem than the preceding your re The average « 7 ent : | wer ~-—~ the Mieviemppt, Ove bondred and ten miles have been constructed daring (be year. wih, ninety. the same Lepartme t of Ws miles Lave Been constructed duriv F the direct on of Captain Bulkley, Arnistant ®u Jent of (he Gulf, three handred miles have been of which was submarine. 1 doy of July, IN62, there were three thousand Sand seventy 0% on of land and submarine During mar miles cf land operation dr twenty sir—b tg bn than ne-ilth of theo 4s of land and «ub- the total mun ber of telegraph flicient to 4 nc@ Of the globe, 1.200.600 telegrams bave ry line iw opere DOgTO pared Vobruary 16, and July 12, 1662, three eow o4 were ap 1 to examine and ‘report apéo ail aime arming | unter the act of March 26, 1802, entitled © An act | cure to officers and men actually employed i tho Woat wiment. of Department of Miekouri, (heir pay b unty and pensions.” T 1 Of $100,000, 0F 8 mick ay should be neceseary, wax anproprinted by Be ®et ps May 14, 1862, to pay the claims awarded, The comin: 1u favor Of clrims amounting lo $500,012 nt being vested ja the Depart ra larger appropriation wilt be # Into eifect, sonore reported No power of appoint mont, further legiain requited to carry the | ae Mony claims aro presented to the Department for tho sxe of lant Oceupied by the government as forte, camp ing grounds apd other public works, for forage and otber property used or injured by troop Some of these Calms are just, others doobtful, and many exborbitant and frandule The Department has no mode of in Vootigating then, and no apropelstion to pay them | With Its rubmitted that provision should be made by oat Congress for thelr speody adjustment and pay- ment. . PHACHOLINT OFFICRIS JUDG ADCOCATC CXeNHRAT: Di ‘ont effort has been made for the enforcement of °, the detegtion of frauds, the {by summary disintews’ f the guilty parties by | 4 mmisaton. In this respect | plished By the Judge Advocate Ge | eistante. From bia report it appears frevention mu » accom. aod bie an that since | commencement of the rebellion, vist ag haw been the bw the duties and labors ofiee tive pr performance hen the army oor ndition of that jo aint the emerger force of this of han kept pac ot the we eboula reaned w mergencion of the service wing it a rammary of tho bariness dewpatehed | Ke Advovate General's office, fr to November 1, 1863, a period of fourteen Number of records ofttriale by generat courts mar Val and military comminsions reviewed. Namber of reports made ax to irregularity of pr coeding® in appheations for restoration to ner vice and pardes of otte yand remieeivn oF commutation oF sentences : Mincollancous reports on ober questions referred to While many of these reports are brief and rate, involving all examinath Imawies of fact and of difontt legal They occupy abe It gives me plen once, ability and ted by the chiete several bureaus of this depa nt. Whal may have attended it administration \# in #great mea sure due to them and their subordinates In conctnsion, 1 may be permitted,to express the hope that the next annual report from this department may announces the complete Overthrow of the rebellion, ard the restoration of peace and tho establishment of the Union on a sure foundation io all the b of the United Staten, KOWIN M. STANTON Secrotary of War # to the pe See Tenth Page for Reporte of the Inte- rior and Postmaster Ge MEADE'S ARMY. Mr. J. MR. Tremb'i y's Despatch Courermmn, Va., Deo. 1, 1863, RRCONNODY ANCE TO MADINON QOURT MOUER, Testerday 9 mst succersfab recoanui nance waa ninde to Madison Court House by four rqnalrons of the Firm New York Dragoons, under Major Seott, demehetrating that no rebel force exists in that qnurter aad the lapor tant rebel movement i@ being made in that dt. bad been reported, At Jawes City « (ow gray bac seen to skodadio'on a double quick. On Thoroughfare Mountain the rebel wigna! station which we have been harassing wal found 1 possoanion of noms thirty of more rebel cavairy, who at onee beat a basty retreat, They were pursued vome distance by Major | Scott's men, bat without capture. It wat found to be @ | splendid porition for ite past ase#, we well a® in turn bo te | used againet thetn, a# from ft the position of nearly the whole rebel army can be sean The acattoring and destruction wos mate as complete a” powibla, aod it Will, Ho doubt, be speciaily cared for hereafter. Mr. F. G. Chapman's Despatch: Hear anters, Any ov rite Pores: Tee. 0, 1663 wng TO COMMEND THe All te quiet, except that « degree of uneasiogns i@ fol on to who # to command the Army of tha Potomac. Alt sorta of rumors prevail (he most generally scenpted of which & that General lieasauten «© ty succeed. General Meade, butup w A.M to-day 60 move for the report. ’ fey an sndation a0) 10 We Damas # Very prevalent among army office \bas sh oom & , eed & part of wo ge be broken uy elsewhere (or a winter campaign 1 ~ now Washiogte ”. a ahort leave Major ¢ | Of absenog. CRN HRAL MEAGHER SOT A Pome The report that General Thomas Francs Meagher wan taken primmer vy the rebels during the recent meveme of the Army of the F 4c, WHINE ON A viit Wo the rem } hantof hie ol4 brigade He recroased the Rayjdan penied |t over, and is now | athe Newton Disaster-Vinding of the Jury. ¥ san, Dee 9, 180. Ty Gnd thot adent a quarter part win o'clock F | A. the teambags inane Newton left the fmt of Cor tian | street, im geod order, with ber proper complement of ex the | perienced officers and meno, aid licensed qilte and fen gingers being ip their rempective departments aed | while proeeeding at Ler amusl rate ef speed and | with wot more than thirty end @ bait’ pounds | __ eteem, cbewt- eppemne Port Wastin explosion Wook place to oF about the starboard | oom 2 unknown to this jory het by whith eteam | bd & large yoantity of ig ve brome the main deck, ond t brat beat it eh wrt. alowing the «only Of the prem and the be enginete ot the vered wha ee uy row are free Crem Ol careires es wie th . D * 1 7) tower , ‘ - tweet Ton ever ant FM ie £08 ud poope ders who 0 prompe ¥ 04 remtund tie verdict ve seem Ce toeer an A ley seinem Vas? ey Mauhew a i ‘ sue ve The Wae News from Te » * 6 fon Cuag Poet ab be + Balemmore § Ved wat Chemin 1 torrent Com smieanny eveter ae Om me Adon! Er yrom ter ew pews nent (Ae bindre! eAdionel Tn Pe