The cost of The War Between the States was expensive.     Budget cutting had to be considered by the Federal Government.
		Here is the list of US Officers current monthly salaries as of Jan. 21, 1862,  and the propsed pay cuts.
			January 21, 1862 - Tuesday      News From Home     CHAMBERSBURG, PA     Semi-Weekly Dispatch, January 21, 1862, p. 2, c. 1                 Army Pay.     The reduction in pay, per month, which the commissioned officers     of the Army  will be subjected to if the Senate bill passes both houses      will be as follows:--                               Present Pay.    Proposed Pay.   Major-General.......       $469.......$300   Brigadier-General. .     343........240   Colonel. . ... ...........    218.........200   Lieutenant-Colonel .        184........180   Major. .............. ... ..      165........150   Captain. ............. . .   128.........120   First Lieutenant. ... ...    108.........100   Second Lieutenant.. ..    103... ....80   Surgeon-General... ...     228........220   Surgeon, 10 yrs service     223.........180   Surgeon, less than 10 yrs      187.. ....150   Surgeon, 5 yrs service .     137... ...120   Surgeon, less than 5 yrs ..     120... ...100   Paymaster General... ...      228.........200   Dep't. Paymaster Gen ..      211.. ...180   Paymaster. ....... .........      187... ..150   Chaplain. ... ...........    .80   All military storekp'r. ...........    120      When the great number of officers that are employed in our immense army      is taken into consideration, the above reduction in their pay      would save an immense sum to the treasury.