, 1861-11-22
THE ILLINOlS TROOPS.

The Ehare Of Illinois in this War is alrexdy |
an honorable one, both from the number Of |
troops IN the field, and the part they have |
borne as far a. called into active service. 1t |
is the more pratseworthy In that the opening
Of the FIST found our State military system At |
the lowest possible ebb. Tlere EaB indeed |
20 system, aud, ~ita the exception here and
there Of detached companies, ne had no
troops. The exe1tions made to put matters
on new basis, vert among the most notable
failures Of the last session Of the Legi11ature'
and what WAS chaos aud confusion before, was
left doubly &c, a1d 80 remained until the tina
of the Presidents Proclamation arms there
we're hone. Volunteer military companies
had been been utterly ground out Of exiatenca
in mcst parts Of the State, from the heavy
pressure and expense ent@ilsd upon individual
members.
Sham soldieling, as volunteering in peace
times haa come to be considered, had lost it4
charm. In cur own city ne had Only the de,
bria Of former crack companies. We had
scarcely enough to Aake On any desired occa-
sion decent military reception, as the return
OF the Zouaves well declared The entire
military fofcs OF nlinsis On the first day Of
January last was nemInally comprised In two
brjgades: one at Chicago, Brig. Gen. sTitt's,
and the second At Jacksonville, Brig. Gen. Nc.
Connsli's. The military history Of Illinois in
connection with the War mast emphatically
| commenced at near zero. The regiments
! numbering from one to s1x had only a name,
! and lave uow no existence.
| 4 little more detailed sketch OF the growth
and progress Of or State military matters
eince that time we deem may be Of interest to
our readers, and the notes We have procured
| :,om The cf1ce Of the A5i1tant General st
Springfield, enable us to do this On more
complete and extended scale tkan Ne have be.
| fore attempted.
The Presiae1t's Proclamation and call for
Three Months Volunteers was Issued April
18th, and SIX regiments Of infantry were the
first allotment from Illinois. On the follow
irg 6sy, April 18th, Gov Yates issuedghis Pro
clamatiop, and under this the frat six rezi.
ments were enrolled, numbering from six, to1
1easops above giTea.
THE THREE MONTHS MFs.
~ $s5 $s5 fS:}{::sy S:{ss Ss $s S:2;;s;.
:. The last Of these Was the High1azd Quart
, regiment ef Chicago. the only regiment &C
tsptrS;77sss::: zecdon Of the State. Ever.
, sne acquainted with the facts will recollec
; the lnmcrse pressure Tor acceptance, and hos
it became positive and strong rivalry.
1t Was imperative from the condition Of on
. military aflairs thatthe Legislature shonla b
conTened, and III extra session convened tn
r week following the Proclamation, or on April
231d. The work Was commenced With spiti
e Impossible to hare been awakened before th
fall Of Sumter. 1t will be remembered as
I atrlk}Rg proof sf the psace-1oviag and loys
dispceltlon Of our people, that they only tsl
dily believed that the rebellion Fould pass II
:, to an appeal to arms. "Coerc1on" Was tn
bugbear Of many Of our Legislators, and eve
the reasonable and proper reorganization {
. cur State troops, On a peace footing, was pr.
It vented BY e desire to avoid the semblauce
T. intimidation" and " threats" o..
j. The extra session showed new era had b
!, gun, and On May End, 1861, bill mas passe
= providing fer the equipment Of ten regiment
~ Of Infantry, two companies Of Cavalry, and
battalion Of four companies Of Artillcr
j, Under this, the pressure for acceptance
q, regiments was intenkifed. The Adjutar
se deEeral'e of6ce was throrged with applicant
r. AID hat full Of letters daily carae Pouria
ls into the Executive Chamber. The troo1
q thus received we're