The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-05-08

nc has nhiarled the flag under which
al our History has been made. and summons the
loyal sons of the heroic founde,s of The govern
ment in arms TO defend it. lie viii fight to main.
tain the Constitution aad the Union, and the
whole people of the loyal States with one voice
has affirmed the wisdom, the justice AID the pat
riotsm OF that dete, mnaion.
In this sacred war, fer it is nothing less, the
people of Michigan desire to do Their duty, and
il is for US, their chosen representatives,, to pro
vide the means and lead the way.
On the evening Of the 18th of April last, re-
ceivod a telegram from The War Department at
Washington, that call Was made upon me, as
COmmander-in-C Chief, Tor one regiment Of the
militia of the State tor immediate service. On
the next day, however | was Informed from the
same source, that If the quota Of Michigan should
be ready by the 20th OF May, that would suffice
Immediately upon receiving these dispatches, /
issued my proclamation Ia iLe people OF the State
for volunteers 10 form tND sgInenis OF Infantry
in pun suance of the law OF your late session, au-
thorizEg the organization OF two regiments to
meet such a call. That law had this strange
omission, that while il provides for raising the
regiments and paying the volunteers and officers
at certain fixed prices, 1t dill not appropriate so
much AZ one dollar to meet the expenses 10 be
incurred by virtue OF It's provisions. Il, there
tore, became necessary 10 seek outside Of the
statutes. means 10 detray the expenses of recruit
ing, afming, equippins and unifcrrning the ,cci-
ments. This WIS done by an appeal 70 the patri
Otie people OF the State 20 advance the money
rs temporary loan, trusting TO the Justice of the
Legislature for It's prompt repayment. That re-
source was found amply sufficient, and desire
now, on behalf of the whole people of the State.
III -.
tied gentlemen who came forward with such
promptness 10 aid me with their money and their
advice in that emergency. You, gentlemen of
the two Houses, viii take care that no nan sui
fers in the smallest degree in consequence OF his
generosity in that respect
The people answered the call for volunteers
with such enthusiasm and alacrity as will forev-
er be an honor both 10 them and the govern
ment under which We live. In just nine days
from the time when the call Of the President
was received, the ten companies, composing the
first regiment, were full, and the officers com
inissloned; and in one day more the second reg
iment was in Ike manner organized. On the
30th day of the same month of APRIL, both the
regiments were in camp in Detroit, in good or
der and in fine condition.
When IL is taken into account that at the time
the President called fer one regiment Of Infantry
from Michigan there was not anything ike full
regiment in the State, nor even a single company
with the full complement of men required by
the CALL and tba, there was TO money in the
Treasury, that could be used for military purpos-
es, am more than satisfied with the progress
made.
For q more detailed account of the present
condition Of the military forces, refer you to
the report of the Adjatant General, John Rob.
ertson. which will be laid before you. and of
whose efficiency l have had occasion to speak in
the highest terms.
In the choice Of companies 10 compose the
first and second regiments, some embarrassment
was felt in consequence Of the great competition
between them, TO be included therein, arising
chiefly from the fact that many Of our fellow cit
liens either did not understand the statute under
which We were acting, or in their zeal refused to
recognize it's Justice. That statute left me no
discretion. but absolutely required me to selec,
first such companies OF the uniformed militia of
the State might Be offered, and these were
|, nearly sufficient TO answer the entire calf The
people, however, will not be satisfied with the
two regiments provided for by law, and already
full conpanies enough have been formed to fill