OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

This estimate is based upon the number of pieces allowed per thousand men by the United States Government. Three hundred pieces would be the supply allowed for 100,000 men, two pieces per thousand men for battery purposes, and the third piece to be held in reserve, in case the pieces in battery should be disabled by any casualty. Should you fail to get the number of pieces contracted for, yet you could not fail to get a large supply of them, and the entire manufacturing enterprise of the country would be enlisted in the manufacture of cannon or of any and all kinds of ordnance, as they would have abundant machinery in readiness for turning its powers into any required channel.

The history of all wars of independence teaches us that the fires of patriotism burn more brightly at the outbreak than towards their close. Men in the outset of such a contest are more oblivious of personal discomfort, less selfish, than they become as the struggle progresses, and more willing to contribute in all ways the means of winning independence. Our Revolution of '76 is an instance to illustrate this truth. The paper of the Government passed current at first, though rejected as worthless towards the close, yet that Government was surely better able to make got its contracts at the end of that struggle than at the beginning. May not such be the result in this contest, and does not wisdom point out the necessity of securing such was material as we can while our Government is in good credit?

For the 300 field pieces will be required the following kind and quantity of ammunition:

For 6-pounder guns.

6-pounder shot......................................... 14,800 Spherical-care shot.................................... 11,840 Canister stand......................................... 2,960

For Parrott rifled cannon.

Shot................................................... 14,800 Shell.................................................. 14,800

For 12-pounder howitzer.

Shell.................................................. 5,698 Spherical-case shot.................................... 7,585 Canister............................................... 1,517

For 24-pounder howitzer.

Shell.................................................. 7,696 Spherical-case......................................... 5,143 Canister............................................... 1,951

Costing, say, $100,000; making a total cost for the 225 field pieces and ammunition for one campaign, say, $640,000.

I would also respectfully recommend that contracts be made for 25,000 sword bayonets for Mississippi rifles and 10,000 for double-barreled shot-guns. These bayonets complete will cost about $9 each, making a total cost of $315,000 for the 35,000. Bayonet and gun barrels for rifles ready forged out for rifling can be procured in any quantity at $3 each from Hillman, Bro., on Tennessee River. The dies for locks and nipples are being made here and can be turned out in large quantities. A foundery and shop in this city can turn out gun stocks at the rate of 100 to 200 per day, and we can thus have a weapon equal in all respects to the Mississippi rifle, while it will not be so heavy.

Two machines for rifling cannon will be in operation here this week, and, if successful, they can turn out 6 pieces daily. Contract may be