The force our troops will have to fight this spring.
While the armies of the
Confederacy have been strengthened by the recent conscription and the men already put in the ranks, the
Federal armies will be much weaker than those they fought last year.
But a few weeks since the
Yankee papers published two important facts--one that the last draft had not added 50,000 men to the ranks of their army.
This was official from the
Provost Marshal General.
The other was a statement made by letter writers, that not 40,000 of the veterans had re-enlisted.
This last important fact caused alarm in Congress, and in the House of Representatives, a few days ago, a resolution was passed calling on the
President to furnish a list showing "the number of re-enlisted veteran volunteers from each State, and other information in this connection." On the 1st instant
Lincoln replied to this call, enclosing a letter from the
Secretary of War, who said that, in his opinion, it would be "
prejudicial to the public service" to transmit to the
House at the present time the information requested.
The fact is that the drafts in the
United States have proved utter failures.
They have brought paper money in computation.
Paper money won't fight.
There is very little personal danger to be apprehended from a bank note, and there is no case on record of a man having been bayonetted by a $1 bill.
The new draft, which commenced in the
Yankee States yesterday, will result as all the others have.
The $300 commutation clause is still in force, and the green backs will pour in. The disastrous defeat of
Gillmore in
Florida, the rout of
Grierson and
Smith in
Mississippi, the disgraceful failure of
Sherman's advance on
Mobile, the repulse of the last "on to
Richmond," and the general gloom thrown over the
Yankee prospects by these occurrences, will not encourage going into the ranks.
The commutation might be advanced to $600, and it would be cheerfully paid.
With our strengthened armies in the field, let our people take courage and do all in their power to sustain them in comfort.
The stage is cleared.
The curtain is slowly rising on the spring campaign.
Already we see the shining sandals of Victory, and as it rises higher it will disclose to our view the glorious crown which encircles her brow.
