St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-05-30
NUMBER %.


papers and other sources that another
rcqnisition would probably be made
on this State, took the responsible
ty OF ordering into quarters in the re-.
spcctive counties where raised, enough
companies to form a second regiment
in anticipation of such requisition,
that they might acquire the necessary
discipline and drill.
The second requisition has not VET
reached me, but | am expecting it dai-
ly, and am prepared to respond to it
promptly when made. The officers
and men composing the first regiment
were in quarters some time before be-
ing mustered into the service of the
United States, and those called out in
anticipation of q second roquisition,
will have been in quarter a consider
able time before they will be called in
to service, if at all. 1t is but Just
that provision be made for payment
of the men who have thus promptly
and patrioticaliy stepped forth in dc
fence of the country, for the time lost
by them before being actual y received
by the United States, and | recon-
mend that you make the necessary ap-
preparations for that purpose.
In addition to the two regiments
accepted by me, l have already re-
ccircd tenders of companies enough
to make up five regiments more, and
have been strongly urged by them.
and by many other citizens, to accept
the whole and put them in quarters at
the expense of the State. In view of
the facts that all had done was with
out authority of law, and the further
fact that you, the law making power
OF the State, were soon to assemble, |
did not feel justified in so doing, but
have recommended, in all cases that
all such companies should, if possible.
keep up their organization, and should
devote as much of their time as posi-
bic to the drill without interfering
materially with their ordinary busi-
ness, thus keeping in reserve q large
organized and partially drilled force
to meet emergencies.
In several localities patriotic citi-
zens have, at their own expense, fur
nished subsistence for companies thus
organized and not accepted, and
they have been in quarters drilling
daily. Whether any of the expenses
thus incurred shall be paid by tho
State, or whether any compensation
will be made to the the men for the
time thus spent in quarters, is pecul.
iarly within your province to deter.
mine.
In addition to the passage of laws
lcgalizing what has thus far been done
and providing for expenses thus far
incurred, it will be your duty careful
ly to examine what further the State
should do to meet the present neccssi-
ties and future contingencies.
In my judgment there are two OBJ
jects which in your deliberation you
should keep steadily in view, and
which | recommend to your serious
consideration, viz: the protection of
our State against invasion and the
prompt supply to the General Govern
ment. of any further aid it may re-
quire.
Our State is supposed to be exposed
to attack, on two sides--our Southern
and Western bordcrs--on the South
by reckless men from Missouri Oh
the West by Indians. Missouri is un-
fortunately strongly infected with the
heresy Of secession, which is lurrying
SO many of the Southern States to ru-
in. What may be the ultimate result
in, tlnt tod a., lynNp, Cl,,,1l
she unfortunately attempt to dissolve
her connection with the Union, serious
trouble may, and probably will, spring
up along our Southern borders. Even
in that event, | can hardly anticipate
an armed invasion by regular military
forces from that State. Surrounded
as she is by Kansas, Illinois, and To-
wa, such invasion by her would be
sheer madness, and it seems to me We
are guarded against such danger, it
not by her calm Judgment and neigh
borly good will, lat least by her instinct
of seli-prescrvation. But as reckless
men within her limits may take ad-
vantage Of the unsettled condition of
public affairs to organize a system of
border warfare for the purpose of
plunder, it is your duty to guard
against this danger.
The known facts that the troops
have wholly or in part been withdrawn
from the forts in the territories west
of us, and the restraint of their pres
ence thus removed from the Indian
tribes on our border, that the Indians
have received, probably, high colored
statements in regard to the war now
upon us, and that since the massacre
at Spirit Lake in our State, some
years since, which went wholly unpun-
ishcd, they have shown an aggressive
coupled with the fact that
they may be tampered with by bad
men, render it in my judgment, mat
ter of imperative necessity that prop
er measures be taken to guard against
danger from that quarter.
have already done what l could
with the means at my command, to
furnish arms on both borders.
Two modes for the protection Of the
State, and furnishing further aid if
needed to the General Government,
suggest themselves to me. One is
the mastering into the service of the
State, arming, cquipping, and placing
in camp to acquire discipline and drill,
a number of regiments Of volunteers.
The advantages of this are that, we
would have at hand a disciplined
force, ready to meet any emergency.
State OF Federal. The disadvantages
arc its great expense, and it's INSULT
eiency, by reason of the great extent
Of our border, to protect our frontier
against the lawlcss bands to which
we are exposed. The other plan is to
organize along our Southern and
Western frontier, arm and equip, but
not to muster into active service,
sufficient force OF minute men, who
may be called upon at any moment to