The Levant is rated, in Steel's list, at 20 guns, state of discipline, and for various other sources of which are, 18 32's, 2 long 9's 1 18lb carronade on embarrassment, or disaster, which existed at the commencement of hostilities: but to account for the the top gallant forecastle.

The Cyane is rated at 20 guns but the Americans achievments of the American army, in all their splenwill say she mounts 34, which are likewise 32's of much the same description as those of the Levant. The Constitution which is rated at 44, carries 52 -20 of which are 32lb. carronades, and the remain, ing 32 are long 24's. The Constitution had 458 men in action.

dor, and for its efficient acquirements in every im portant branch of the military art, during a war of little more than two years continuance; it is necessary to resort to that principle of action, which, in a free country, identifies the citizen with his government; impels each individual to seek the knowlege [The above furnishes us with another instance of that is requisite for the performance of his duty; and the barefaced arrogance of the British. It is the renders every soldier, in effect, a combatant in his third or fourth time that they have violated the so-own cause. vereignty of nations, by attacking our vessels in

The president of the United States anticipated neutral ports. They have no respect for any thing from the career of an army thus constituted, all the but the law of force, and he is a fool that expects glory and the fruits of victory; and it has been his any thing from Englishmen but what their calcula happiness to see a just war terminated by an honotions of interest of ideas of necessity compel a per- rable peace, after such demonstrations of valor, formance of-The Levant, General Armstrong, &c. genius, and enterprize, as secure for the land and will afford subjects of controversy between the Uni- naval forces of the United States an imperishable ted States and Portugal, and the latter must bear renown; for the citizens, the best prospect of an the indignity cast upon her by her "dear allies" as undisturbed enjoyment of their rights; and for the she can, being too weak to resent it, as she ought.-government, the respect and confidence of the world. REG.]

United States' Army.

Organization of the Military Peace Establishment of the United States.

To the American army, which has so nobly contributed to these results, the president of the United States presents this public testimonial of approbation and applause, at the moment when many of its gallant officers and men must, unavoidably, be separated from the standard of their country. Under all governments, and especially under all free governments, the restoration of peace has uniformly pro. DEPARTMENT OF WAR, May 17th, 1815. The act of congress of the 3d of March, 1815, duced a reduction of the military establishment. declares, "That the military peace establishment of The United States disbanded in 1800 the troops the United States, shall consist of such proportions which had been raised on account of the differences of artillery, infantry, and riflemen, not exceeding in with France; and the memorable peace of 1783, was the whole, ten thousand men, as the president of the followed by a discharge of the illustrious army of United States shall judge proper; that the corps of the revolution. The frequency, or the necessity, of engineers, as at present established, be retained; that the occurrence does not, however, deprive it of its the president of the United States cause to be ar- interest; and the dispersion of the military family, ranged the officers, non-commissioned officers, mu- at this juncture, under circumstances peculiarly sicians and privates, of the several corps of troops in affecting, cannot fail to awaken all the sympathies of the service of the United States, in such manner as the generous and the just. to form and complete out of the same, the corps

The difficulty of accomplishing a satisfactory orauthorised by this act; and that he cause the super-ganization of the military peace establishment, has numerary officers, non-commissioned officers, musi- been anxiously felt. The act of congress_contemcians and privates, to be discharged from the ser- plates a small but an effective force, and, consevice of the United States, from and after the first quently, the honorable men, whose years, or infir day of May next, or as soon as circumstances may mities, or wounds, render them incapable of further service, in active warfare, are necessarily excluded permit." The president of the United States, having per- from the establishment. The act contemplates a formed the duty which the law assigned to him, has reduction of the army from many, to a few regi directed that the organization of the military peace ments; and consequently, a long list of meritorious establishment be announced in general orders; and that the supernumerary officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, be discharged from the service of the United States, as soon as the circumstances, which are necessary for the payment and discharge of the troops, will permit.

officers must, inevitably, be laid aside. But the attempt has been assiduously made to collect authentic information from every source, as a foundation for an impartial judgment on the various claims to attention; and even while a decision is pronounced, the president of the United States desires it may be But on this important and interesting occasion, distinctly understood, that from the designation of the president of the United States is aware, that he the officers who are retained in service, nothing Owes to the feelings of the nation, as well as to his more is to be inferred, than his approbation of the own feelings, an expression of the high sense enter- designated individuals, without derogating, in any tained of the services of the American army.-degree, from the fame and worth of those, whose lot Leaving the scenes of private life, the citizens be- it is to retire, came the soldiers of the United States; the spirit of a genuine patriotism quickly pervaded the military establishment; and the events of the war have conspicuously developed the moral, as well as the physical character of an army, in which every man seems to have deemed himself the chosen champion of his country.

The pacific policy of the American government, the domestic habits of the people, and a long sequestration from the use of arms, will justly account for the want of warlike preparation, for an imperfect

The American army of the war of 1812 has hitherto successfully emulated the patriotism and the valor of the army of the war of 1776. The closing scene of the example remains alone to be performed. Having established the independence of their country, the revolutionary warriors cheerfully returned to the walks of civil life; many of them became the benefactors and ornaments of society, in the prosecution of various arts and professions; and all of them, as well as the veteran few who survive the lapse of time, have bee the objects of grateful recollection, and constant re

gard. It is for the American army, now dissolved, to lected and arranged in such manner as to form and pursue the same honorable course, in order to enjoy complete an effective corps. It is, undoubtedly, a the same inestimable reward. The hope may be re- painful task to make a discrimination, which affects spectfully indulged, that the beneficence of the le- the interest, and possibly the subsistence of honorgislative authority will beam upon suffering merit; able men, whose misfortune it is, by age, by infiran admiring nation will unite the civic with the mar-mities, or by wounds, to be disabled from rendering tial honors, which adorn its heroes; and posterity, in further service to their country; but the task must be its theme of gratitude, will indiscriminately praise performed by those who are charged with the exthe protectors and the founders of American in-ecution of the law; leaving the relief which may be dependence.

By order of the president of the United States. 4. J. DALLAS, Acting secretary of war. Department of War, 8th April, 1815.

justly claimed by suffering merit, to the beneficent care of the legislative authority.

It is the opinion of the president, therefore, that in the selection of the officers to be retained upon the military peace establishment, those only should be recommended, in your report, for his approbation, who are, at this time, competent to engage an enemy in the field of battle.

GENTLEMEN, The president of the United States has requested your attendance at Washington, with a view to the aid which your experience and information enable you to afford, in forming the milita- The number of field officers now in service, ry peace establishment, according to the directions amounts to two hundred and sixteen, and the number of the act of congress, passed on the 3d of March, of regimental officers, now in service, amounts to 1815. I have the honor, therefore, of calling your two thousand and fifty-five. Of the former, about attention to this interesting and important business; thirty-nine, and of the latter, about four hundred and and to request an early report upon the following fifty can be retained in service, according to the propoints; premising that your report will be consider ed as an authentic source of information, to which a just respect will be paid in all future deliberations upon the subject.

1. The organization of the army. 2. The selection of the officers.

3. The military stations.

visions of the act of congress for fixing the military peace establishment. In every grade of appointment, almost every officer has gallantly performed his du ty. It is obvious, therefore, that with respect to the field officers, and the regimental officers, as well as with respect to the general officers, men of high military merit must unavoidably be omitted in the present organization of the army. It has not been,

1,' The organization of the army. The act of congress declares, that the military and it never can be, under such circumstances, a peace establishment of the United States shall con- mark of disrespect, or a subject of reproach, to sist of proportions of artillery, infantry and riflemen, omit the name of any officer; and the president wishnot exceeding in the whole ten thousand men; and es it may be distinctly understood, that from the sethat the corps of engineers, as at present established,

be retained.

lection of officers, nothing more ought to be inferred, than his approbation of the selected individuals, without derogating, in any degree, from the reputation and worth of others.

Upon full consideration of the terms of the act, and of the military interpretation given to similar terms, on other occ: sions, the president is of opiIt is the president's desire upon this important nion, that the military peace establishment, so far as point, that distinguished military mert and approit is composed of artillery, infantry and riflemen, is ved moral character should form the basis of all the to consist of the number of ten thousand men, exclu- selections which your report shall submit to his sively of officers, non-commissioned officers and mu- consideration. Where, in these respects, the claims sicians; and you will be pleased to conform, in your of officers are equal, length of service, a capacity for eport, to that opinion. civil pursuits, and the pecuniary situation of the parThe proportions of artillery, infantry and riflemen ties, may justly furnish considerations to settle the to compose the military peace establishment of ten question. And where neither direct nor collateral thousand men, are referred to your consideration; and circumstances exist, by which your judgment can you will be pleased, in your report, to furnish the be fixed, you will find a reasonable satisfaction, pernecessary details for forming the establishment into haps, in referring the decision in this case, as is done brigades, regiments, battalions and companies. But in many similar cases, to the chance of a lottery; or it is proper to observe, that special provision is you may submit a recommendatory list, leaving the made by law for the organization of the corps of ar- selection entirely to the executive. Great pains tillery, as prescribed in the act of the 30th March, have been taken to collect and preserve the testimo1314; for the organization of the regiment of light nials of military merit; and these, with all the other artillery, as prescribed in the act of the 12th of documents of the department, which can assist your April, 1808; and for the organization of the regi- enquiries, will be confidentially placed before you. ments of infantry and riflemen, as prescribed in the It is not doubted, therefore, that your report will be act of the 3d of March, 1815.

as advantageous to the government as it will be just to the army. A result at once impartial and effective, will not only correspond with the president's views, but must command the approbation of every honorable mind; and it is, in particular, believed, that an appeal inay be confidently made, in the performance of so arduous a duty, to the candor of your military brethren, whatever may be their personal

The law has, also, specially provided that there shall be four brigade inspectors, four brigade quarter masters, and such number of hospital surgeons and surgeon's mates, as the service may require, not exceeding five surgeons and fifteen mates, with one steward, and one ward master to each hospital. But the brigade inspectors are to be taken from the line, and the brigade quarter masters, as well as adjudisappointment or regret. tants, regimental quarter masters, and pay masters, are to be taken from the subalterns of the line. M. The selection of the officers.

II. The military stations.

The general division of the United States, into a department of the North, and a department of the The reduction of the military establishment to the South, with a subdivision into convenient districts, number of ten thousand men, sufficiently indicates including in each department a major general, two the intention of congress to be, that the officers, non-brigadier generals, and a proper proportion of the Commissioned officers and private, should be se-lasny, will, probably be attended with practical aɖ.

vantages; and, it is, therefore, referred to your consideration.

ent part of the army are preserved, except so far as the act of congress by express provision, or necessary implication, introduces an alteration.

1. The ordnance department is preserved. It is a distinct establishment, with a view to a state of peace, as well as a state of war. It is not affected by any express provision in the act of congress; and it is an object of the appropriations made for the military peace establishment.

2. The purchasing department is preserved for similar reasons.

The assignment of a competent garrison to the existing forts and military stations, and an appor tionment of the troops to the districts, according to the service which may be required, will engage your particular attention. But it has been suggest ed, that some of the regiments have obtained a local character, from the residence of the officers, the enlistment of the men, and the scene of service during the war. If, therefore, you should deem it practicable and useful, both in the selection of officers, 3. The pay department is preserved, with specific and in the assignment of stations to the troops, to modifications. The act of congress expressly proregard that character of locality, you will be pleased vides for the appointment of regimental paymasto report accordingly. ters. The office of district paymaster and assistant There are other important subjects connected with district paymaster, is abolished; but the act of the the execution of the act of congress of the 3d of 18th of April, 1814, which continues in force for one March, 1815, which I may hereafter have occasion year after the war, is not repealed,nor affected in to lay before you. But the points of this communi- any other manner, than has been mentioned by the cation being of immediate urgency, I shall, at pre-act of the 3d of March, 1815. It is seen, therefore, sent, close the general views, which I have taken of that the act of the 16th of March, 1802, fixing the them, with an assurance, that you may command all military peace establishment, constituted the office the information and assistance, that it is in my pow- of paymaster of the army, seven paymasters, and two er to give. assistants; and that the act of the 18th of April 1814,

A. J. DALLAS, Acting secretary of war. Major generals Brown, Jackson, Scott, Gaines, Macomb and Ripley.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, gentle-recognizes the office of paymaster of the army; and men, your most obedient servant, in lieu of a monthly compensation, allows the paymaster an annual salary of two thousand dollars, payable quarterly at the treasury. The former act is of indefinite continuance; and the latter will continue in force until the 17th of February, 1816. Nor does the act of the 3d of March, 1815, affect the office of deputy paymaster general: the act of the 6th of July, 1812, providing that to any army of the United States other than that in which the paymaster of the army

Department of war, April 17, 1815.

GENTLEMEN,
I proceed to state some additional views
connected with the execution of the act of congress
fixing the military peace establishment.

1. Corps belonging to the army, which are not ex-shall serve, the president may appoint one deputy pressly retained by the provisions of the act, are to paymaster general, to be taken from the line of the

be discharged.

The corps expressly provided for, are 1. The corps of artillery;

2. The regiment of light artillery;

3. The corps of engineers;

4. Regiments of infantry and riflemen;
The corps not provided for, are

1. The regiment of light dragoons;
2. The Canadian volunteers;
3. The sea fencibles;

II. The officers of the general staff employed in the command, discipline and duties of the army, who are not expressly retained by the provisions of the act, are to be discharged.

The officers provided for, are

1. Two major generals, with two aids de camp,

each.

2. Four brigadier-generals, with one aid de camp,

each.

3. Four brigade inspectors.
4. Four brigade quarter masters.
The officers not provided for, are

army; and each deputy shall have a competent num. ber of assistants.

4. The office of judge advocate is preserved. The act of the 11th of January, 1812, provides that there shall be appointed to each division, a judge advocate. The act of the 3d of March, 1815, neither expressly, nor by necessary implication, repeals that provision.

5. The chaplains are preserved. The act of the 11th of January, 1812, provides that there shall be appointed to each brigade, one chaplain. The act of the 3d of March, 1815, neither expressly, nor by necessary implication, repeals that provision.

6. The hospital department is not preserved. The act of the 3d of March, 1815, provides for regimental surgeons and surgeon's mates, and for such numberof hospital surgeons and surgeon's mates, as the service may require, not exceeding five surgeons and fifteen mates, with one steward, and one wardmaster to each hospital. From this specific arrangement, it is necessarily implied, that the physician and surgeon general, the assistant apothecaries general, and all the hospital surgeons and surgeons' mates, garrison surgeons and surgeons' mates, except the above specified number, are to be discharged. The physician and surgeon general, and the apothecary general, were appointed, the better to superintend the hospi3. All the officers of the inspector general's de tal and medical establishment of the army of the partment; four brigade inspectors being substituted. United States, under the act of the 3d of March, 4. All the officers of the quarter master's depart-1813; and the act of the 30th of March, 1814, authoment-four brigade quarter masters being substitu-rised the president to appoint so many assistant apothecaries as the service might, in his judgment, re5. All the officers of the topographical depart- both acts has ceased; and the act of the third of quire. The occasion for the appointments under

1. All the general officers, except the six above mentioned.

2. All the officers of the adjutant general's department.

ted.

ment.

III. Departments which do not form a constitu-March, 1815, meant to provide a substitute for the whole department, according to the demands of the

Major generals Jackson and Gaines could not at- peace establishment. tend, in consequence of the distance of their quarters 7. The military academy is preserved. The act of from Washington, and the urgency of the service re-the 3d of March, 1815, provides that the corps of quired in the military districts in which they commanded. ' engineers, as at present established, shall be retain

ed. By the act of the 16th of March, 1802, ten cadets were assigned to the corps of engineers. By the act of the 29th of April, 1812, the cadets, whether of artillery cavalry, riflemen or infantry, were limited to the number of two hundred and fifty, who might be attached, by the president as students to the military academy, but the act of the 34 That having, however, diligently selected from of March, 1815, declares, that the regiment of every proper source of information, the necessary Hight artillery shall have the same organization as is materials for deciding upon the various subjects inprescribed by the act passed the 12th of April, 1808; volved in the execution of the act of congress; and nd by that act two cadets are to be attached to each having obtained from the board of general officers Company. It is, therefore, to be considered, that convened at Washington, the most valuable assisthere are 250 cadets attached to the military acade-tance, the acting secretary of war respectfully lays iny, under the establishment of the act of the 29th of the result before the president of the United States, April, 1812, and of twenty cadets attached to the re- in the form of four general orders to be issued from giment of light artillery. this department:

And the president of the United States has further judged proper, that the United States be divided into two military divisions; and that each military division be subdivided into military departments, as follows:

For forts Johnson and Hampton, North Carolin of the corps of artillery, one company. For Charleston harbor, and its dependencies, of the corps of artillery, four companies. For Savannah, of the corps of artillery, one com

The division of the north to comprise five milita-pany. ry departments, to wit:

No. 1. New York, above the highlands, and Ver

mont.

No. 2. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

No. 3. New York below the highlands, and that part of New Jersey which furnishes the first division of militia.

No. 4. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and that part of New Jersey which furnishes the second division of militia.

No. 5. Ohio, and the territories of Michigan and Indiana.

For Mobile, of the corps of artillery, one company. For Placquemin, of the corps of artillery, one company.

For forts St. Charles, St. John, and Petite Coquile, of the corps of artillery, three companies.

For Natchitoches, of the corps of artillery, one company, of riflemen two companies. Total threc companies.

For St. Louis, and its dependencies, of infantry ten companies, of riflemen four companies. Total 14 companies.

The division of the south, to comprise four mili-ten tary departments, to wit:

No. 6. Virginia, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia.

No. 7. South Carolina and Georgia.

No. 8. Louisiana and the Mississippi territory. No. 9. Tennessce, Kentucky, and the territories of Missouri and Illinois.

And the president of the United States has further judged proper, that the general distribution of the regiment and corps constituting the military peace establishment, shall be made in the following man

Four battalions of the corps of artillery, and the regiment of light artillery.

To the division of the south:

The first, fourth, seventh and eighth regiments of infantry, forming two brigades.

Four battalions of the corps of artillery; and the regiment of riflemen.

For Chefuncta, of infantry, ten companies.
For the vicinity of Augusta, Georgia, of infantry,
companies.

And the president of the United States has further judged proper, that the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, of the several regiments and corps now in the service of the United States, whose term of service has not expired, shall be so arranged as to form and complete out of the same, the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, constituting the military peace establishment, in the manner following, viz:

To form the regiment of light artillery, brigadier general Porter, there shall be mustered for selection, the light artillery proper, the 15th, 26th, 30th 31st, 334, 34th, and 45th regiments of infantry.

To form the corps of artillery, there shall be mustered for selection, the corps of artillery proper, the regiment of dragoons, the 41st, 42d, and 43d regiments of infantry.

To form the regiments of infantry in the division of the north, there shall be mustered;

For the 2d regiment of infantry, colonel Brady, the 6th, 16th, 221, 23d, and 32d regiments of infantry, For the 3d regiment of infantry, colonel John And the president of the United States has fur-Miller, the 1st, 17th, 19th, 24th, 28th, and 39th rether judged it proper, that a part of the several regiments of infantry. giments and corps constituting the military peace establishment, shall be detailed and apportioned for the following named stations, and that the rest of the regiments and corps shall be disposed of as the major generals commanding divisions may hercafter di

rect.

In the division of the north:

For the 5th regiment of infantry, brigadier gene. ral Miller, the 4th, 9th, 13th, 21st, 40th, and 46th regiments of infantry.

For the 6th regiment of infantry, colonel Atkinson, the 11th, 25th, 27th, 29th, and 37th regiments of infantry,

To form the regiments of infantry and riflemen, in

For the posts and fortresses on the coast of New- the division of the south; England.

For the first reg ment of infantry, brigadier general Bissel, the 2d, 3d, 7th, and 44th regiments of infantry.

For the fourth regiment of infantry, colonel King, the 12th, 14th, and 20th regiments of infantry.

For the seventh regiment of infantry, colonei M'Donald, the 8th, 10th, 36th, and 38th regiments of infantry,

For the 8th regiment of infantry, colonel Nicholas, the 5th, 18th, and 35th regiments of infantry. For the rifle regiment, brigadier general Smith, the 1st, 24, 3d, and 4th rifle regiments.

And the president of the United States has further judged proper, that in addition to the provision for a general staff, which is specifically made by the act of congress, certain officers shall be retained, under the special authority given by the act, until circumstances will permit of their discharge, without material injury to the service; and that the following shall be the general staff:

Two major generals, with two aids de camp, each. Four brigadier generals, with one aid de camp, each.