UNITED STATES ARMY AND NAVY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 6

UNITED STATES ARMY AND NAVY.

The time for the meeting of Congress having come, the " New York Times " gives an account of the army and navy for whioh they will have to provide. The strength of the army is stated at 31,332 — viz., 2,406 commissioned officers and 29,926 men ; of the navy, 179 vessels of 233,480 tons, 1,299 guns, and with 8,500 men. In 1860 the army consisted of rather more than 16,000 officers and men ; in 1865 the number exceeded a million. The total number of United States soldiers serving in the war of the Eevolution, 1775 to 1783, was but 278,022 ; in the war with the United Kingdom, 1812 to 1815, 527,554, including about 270,000 militia serving less than three months ; in the Mexican war, 1836-47, 70,260 ; in the recent rebellion, 2,688,523. The nany in 1860 numbered on 76 vessels and 7,600 men. At the close of the war it was augmented to 671 vessels and 51,500 men. It is now reduced to 179 vesseis, only 41 of which are in commission for sea service, and 8,500 men, being but 900 more than were in the service in 1860. There are in special services seven vessels, mounting 50 guns. The others now in commission for sea service compose the fleets representing and protecting American interests abroad. They are stationed as follows : — North Atlantic station, 6 vessels, 41 guns; South Atlantic (Brazil), 3 vessels, 34 guns ; European, 6 vessels, 110 guns ; Asiatic, 9 vessels, 114 guns ; Pacific, 10 vessels, 111 guns ; making 34 vessels of 410 guns, the total in commission for sea service. The standing army is retained mainly to do police dnty on the frontiers. It is assumed that both army and navy can be raised to the required extent in the time of need.