Second Frigate 52 1,726 In ordinary, Boston. Saco......... Fourth Screw 8 (waiting crew). 593 Building at Boston. 507 East Gulf Squadron. 479 Building at Pittsburg. 844 South Atlantic Squadron. 1,446 East Gulf Squadron, (Flagship). 1,726 School-ship, Newport, R. I. 66 West Gulf Squadron. 600 Mississippi Squadron. 212 North Atlantic Squadron. 1,567 Repairing at Boston. 233 West Gulf Squadron. 1,446 Pacific Squadron. 882 South Atlantic Squadron. 974 North Atlantic Squadron. 1,034 Building at Wilmington. 1,726 Instruction-ship, N. York. 507 West Gulf Squadron. Third.. Paddle-wheel 10 2 Third.. Sloop. 7 Fourth Screw 5 Fourth Schooner..... 1 57 East Gulf Squadron. 264 West Gulf Squadron. Third.. Paddle-wheel 10 832 West Gulf Squadron. Sea Foam Sebago Seneca Shakamaxon Shamokin Shamrock 801 West Gulf Squadron. 507 South Atlantic Squadron. 3,200 Building, navy-yard, Phila. 1,030 Building at Chester. 974 Building at New York. 87 South Atlantic Squadron. 8 1,165 South Atlantic Squadron. 614 Building at East Boston. St. Clair St. Lawrence St. Louis....... St. Mary's.... Stettin..... Stockdale.......... Stars and Stripes. Fourth Screw State of Georgia... Third.. Paddle-wheel Stepping Stones... Fourth Paddle-wheel Fourth Screw Fourth Paddle-wheel Fourth Screw Fourth Paddle-wheel 262 350 Building at Boston. Fourth Frigate........ 12 | 1,726 North Atlantic Squadron, Third.. Sloop Third.. Sloop ......... 600 South Atlantic Squadron. 188 West Gulf Squadron. 30 East Gulf Squadron. 614 Building at South Boston. 294 East Gulf Squadron. 547 South Atlantic Squadron. 2,450 Repairing at New York. 1,030 Building at New York. 240 South Atlantic Squadron. 507 East Gulf Squadron. 974 Building at New York. 171 West Gulf Squadron. 974 Building at New York. 108 Mississippi Squadron. 90 Potomac Flotilla. 2 1,034 Preparing for sea, N. York, Third.. Paddle-wheel 5 1,275 West Gulf Squadron. 150 Mississippi Squadron. 50 Mississippi Squadron. 269 Potomac Flotilla. 184 South Atlantic Squadron. 20 1,533 Ready for sea at Phila. 819 East Gulf Squadron. Fourth Paddle-wheel Fourth Screw....... 2 1,034 Building at Cincinnati. Fourth Paddle-wheel 10 Third.. Iron-clad..... Fourth Screw 271 183 Potomac Flotilla. 614 Building at Chester. 614 Building at Pittsburg. 402 South Atlantic Squadron. 700 Receiv'g-ship, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Vanderbilt......... Second Paddle-wheel 15 3,360 Repairing at New York. CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE ARMIES OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND AMERICA. THE reported numerical strength of the armies of the four great powers which are under discussion, is, in round numbers, as follows: These figures, though obtained mainly from official sources, do not, of course, express the exact truth. They merely present, in a general way, the relative military strength of these nations. Each of them could command a far greater number to resist an invasion of its territory, while neither could send from home, on distant service, one-fourth of the number here set down. France and Russia could maintain large armies on the fields of Europe, but neither they, nor any other power, could send a formidable force to operate here. Still, with France controlling Mexico and Central America, it might be possible, at any time, with a French army as a nucleus, to assemble a very formidable force upon our Southern borders. The character of the Russians, as soldiers, has been already considered, because Americans should know the quality of those who, alone, among all nations, can now be regarded as our cordial friends, and whose interests may yet ally them with us, against the central despotisms of Europe. The soldiers of France and England have written their own history on the battle-fields of modern Europe, and their distinguishing traits are known to all. None will dispute their courage or their skill. Those who expect to meet them with success, must be masters of the science of slaughter. But America is now, for the first time, assuming the character and position of a great military power. For the first time we have gathered great armies, and have fought battles on a scale proportioned to the great conflicts of Europe. It is, therefore, important to inquire, whether our armies and our soldiers have exhibited an individual, a national character? Can we speak of the American soldier and the American army as having characteristics of their own, distinctive and peculiar? If we can, what are the military traits of the American nation? Are they such as give us confidence in our ability to meet the troops of other nations should they invade our shores? In attempting to answer this question, it will be assumed as certain, that this rebellion will soon be over, and our military strength will be drawn from the whole territory of the Union, and from every portion of the population. This being so, the armies of the United States will, hereafter, be drawn from the following elements: the white population of the North, the whites of the South, the blacks both North and South, and the foreign population. The foreign element in our armies requires but a passing notice. These soldiers will certainly be equal to those of Europe, while we have every reason to expect that those who are to come, like those who are already among us, will exhibit, under the influence of free institutions, a higher form of manhood than their countrymen who remain behind. When the proper manhood of the blacks is fully acknowledged, and their rights as citizens are sanctioned and |