The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-18
THE LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS AGAIN

BY letters received from New Orleans we learI
that new easses for discomfort among the volunteer
exist, and, as matter Of course, the War Depart
menI is brought in for blame and abuse.
These causes, so far we ascertain them
are alleged TO be the following;
First. The State Of louisiana furnished the
volunteers with clothing for six months, but in
asmush as they could not, under the act fl795 be
retained in service longer than three months, and
were discharged, and, as appears by General Tay-
lOrs letters, published in the Union yesterday, a,
their own request at the end Of three MONTHS il is
said the Secretary Of War has directed the pay
masters to deduct three months clothing from their
pay. .u
Second. The State Of Louisiana offered and paid
bounty Of ten dollars to each volunteer, and Il 1,
said that the Secretary Of War has directed that this
sum also shall be deducted from their pay.
Third. It is alleged that the secretary has also
issued orders to the pay department not to pay the
two additional regiments sent to General Taylor
from louisiana not embraced in his resusition.
Fourth. It is said that the clothing furnished to
the volunteers was miserably bad, and charged at
double its fair value
Now for the facts:
The following joint resolutions will show what
action was given by Congress to the subject of the
claims Of these volunteers; and it may not be i'm
proper here TO say that these resolutions were
passed on the repeated and urgent application Of the
Secretary Of War, representing the necessity Of
further legislation in order to settle the claims Of the
volunteers to pay and allowances just and equta-
bic principles.
"a JOINT RESOLUTION to refund to States
and individuals expenses incurred by them under
calls for militia and volunteers made by Generals
Gaines and Taylor.
BE iressiped BY the Senate and House of Remesen-
apss q The Uaitsd Sstss Of amsrea IN Congress
bed, That the Secretary Of War be- and ne is hereby
authorized and required to refund out Of the appro-
priaton made by the "Act providing for the prose-
cuton OF the existing between the United States
and the republic Of Mexico,n approved the thir-
teenth Of May, one thousand eight hundred and
forty-slx, to the governors of the several States
called upon by General Taylor and General Gaines for
volunteers and militia, and also to individuals, the
amount Of the expenses incurred by said States and
individuals in fitting out and preparing said voun-
teers or militia to join the army under the command
OF General Taylor to be settled upon just and equa-
bic principles. n .f.
approved, July l6, 1896"
JOINT RESOLUTION directing the payment of
certain volunteers and militia, under the lImta-
tons therein prescribed.
"Rtsoptd by The Senate and House Of Repssen-
taiires Of The United STATES ~ .ins1ea in Congress
assembled, That The Secretary of War be- and he is
hereby authorized and required to cause to be paid
out OF the appropriation made by the act providing
for the prosecution of the existing war between the
United States of America and the republic of Mexi-
co, approved the thirteenth day of May, one thou
sand eight hundred and fory-six 10 the volunteers
and militia called and actually received by virtue of
the orders OF General E. p Gaines into the service
OF the United States during the present year, and
discharged before joining the army, and such COM
panies as were actually organized and rendezvoused
under said call, including the two companies Of
Major Gally's command, and the company at Baton
Rouge arsenal; and also the company of Mississip-
pl volunteers, (Natchez Fencibies,) and also the
company of Mississippi volunteers (Pontotoc Ro.
vers) organized and assembled at Vicksburg, and
afterwards dishnnded or discharged, and the com
panes of Ohio volunteers assembled at Camp w ash
lngton, near Cincinnati, and who claim TO have
been mustered into service, one days pay and al
lowances for every day detained in service, and the
usual travelling allowances, and no more. And fur
Their, that where States or individuals have paid the
expenses or provided the of transportation Of
volunteers to the place of rendezvous and furnished
subsistence or clothing, the proportional amount
thus furnished to each man, exceeding the legal
allowance to each, may be charged on the pay rolls,
and withheld and paid to the State or individual who
actually provided the same. And further, that
when surgeons and assistant surgeons have attend
ed regiments of volunteers to the time when med-
col officers, duly appointed by the United States,
entered upon their duties with said regimens, they
may receive the same rate of compensation, and 10
like number provided for by law; and persons
doing the duties of assistant quarermasters and
assistant commissaries, under like circumstances,
may IN like manner receive the same rate Of COM
pensatIon, and to like number, as authorized by
existing law.
Approved, August Sth 1s46." .~
After the passage of the first resolution the Sec
re'ary of War, on the gath July made the following
decision on some Of the points presented by the Pay
master General for his consideration:
Bounty is to be allowed in the settlement Of the
accounts Of that State, Louisiana and not to be
charged to the rank and file. But am not aware
mat bounty IN money was ever allowed to commits
soned officers. The amount paid to such officers
VIII De charged TO them, to be deducted from their
pay;
The accounts for clothing delivered 10 men or to
oncers of regiments and companies are to be allow
ca and set of against their claims for clothing under
ne law The men are entitled 10 sir months clothing ;,
The action Of the department is further shown in
me following extract of letter from the Paymaster
1eneraI to the Secretary Of War
1T will be seen that these volunteers were to re-
oslVe all the allowances provided by law for such
loops Tor three months that being the longest time
.ne President could authorize their services TO be
e'ued tor IL will also be seen, that soon Con-
sess provided for refnnding to the State Of LOUISE
ana The expenses incurred in preparing the volun-
GERS 70 JOIN the army, you extended to the volun-
yers the extra allowances directed TO be made to
e state, to witt SIR moni clothing for three months
and bounty Of ten dollars 10 each nor commits
s,o,eu Dlosr musician, and privais excess Of
compensation never before made under similar cir
.uIns'ances. The State advanced one months nay
~ zen dollars bounty TO most II moi oil the officers
WhoIe Of which was refunded 10 the STATE. but
directed to be deducted from the officers there being
dyc.O eceoent OF e6fers receiving bounty as an in
uocement to volunteers.
to be regretted that the last instructions for