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At this session Congress passed acts authorizing the President to use
the whole land and naval force to meet the necessities of the war thus
commenced; to issue to private armed vessels letters of marque; in
addition to the volunteer force authorized to be raised, to accept the
services of volunteers, to serve during the war; to receive into the
service various companies of the different arms; to make a loan of fifty
millions of dollars in bonds and notes; and to hold an election for
officers of the permanent Government under the new Constitution. An act
was also passed to provide revenue from imports; another, relative to
prisoners of war; and such others as were necessary to complete the
internal organization of the Government, and establish the
administration of public affairs.
In every portion of the country there was exhibited the most patriotic
devotion to the common cause. Transportation companies freely tendered
the use of their lines for troops and supplies. Requisitions for troops
were met with such alacrity that the number offering their services in
every instance greatly exceeded the demand and the ability to arm them.
Men of the highest official and social position served as volunteers in
the ranks. The gravity of age and the zeal of youth rivaled each other
in the desire to be foremost in the public defense.
The appearance of the proclamation of the President of the United
States, calling out seventy-five thousand men, was followed by the
immediate withdrawal of the States of Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, and Arkansas, and their union with the Confederate States.
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