[TEN REGIMENT BILL]. UNITED STATES. CONGRESS. SENATE. H.R. 576. In the Senate of the United States. January 11, 1847. Read Twice and Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. An Act to Raise for a Limited Time an Additional Military Force, and for other Purposes. [Washington, 1847]. [1]-2 pp. Folio (31.5 x 19.5 cm), single sheet. Disbound, left and right margins slightly chipped, otherwise fine.

Senate Edition (29th Congress, 2nd Session).

This controversial law allowed for recruiting one regiment of dragoons and nine infantry regiments to be commanded by regular army officers. Enlistments are for the duration, but the troops are to be immediately discharged after the war. It passed the house on January 11, 1847, and the Senate passed it a month later after overcoming Polk’s apparent scheme to appoint Thomas Hart Benton, who had no military experience, as overall commander of the troops in Mexico. This version also requires all officers appointed to be approved by the Senate. These new recruits were vital to continue the war.