Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-06-21
To the People of Town

III response 10 the call OF the General GOV
eminent for Military aid in defense of Federal
authority and Federal property, the State of
Iowa has furnished three Regiments of Infant
ry, who are encamped at the rendezvous des-
ignated by the War Department, undergoing
the necessary preparatory discipline for active
service. Two of the Regiments the Second
and Third, enlisted for the term Of three years
or during the War; while the First, organized
under the first call for volunteers, were en-
rolled only for the period of three months
At the expiration of their term of service the
companies composing this Regiment will be at
liberty to disband, or re-enroll and re-organize
for the full term of service. Until these Reg
iments We're fully accepted as a portion of the
United States Army, the responsibility of
providing for their subsistence devolved upon
the State authorities.
During the late Extra Session of the General
Assembly an Act was passed authorizing and
empowering the Governor to organize two
Regiments of Infantry, one Artillery, one
Squadron of Cavalry, and one Regiment of
Mounted Rifemen, which force, in whole or
in part was intended for the protection of the
| inhabitants of the frontier counties from ma
rauding parties of Indian or Southern insur-
gents, and to be held also as a reserve force
for the assistance of the United States Gov
eminent. These volunteer organizations will
be called into requisitiOn as the necessities of
the State or National Government may be de
veloped. In order, however, that men shall
be withdrawn from the pursuits of productive
| industry for those of war no faster than the
public security shall render Imperative,
would suggest that voluntees companies be
organized for purposes of dsill, merely, in each
county having sufficient population. With
out abandonment of business or absence from
home, elementary discipline of military edu-
cation can be thus thoroughly acquired, so
that when the companies so drilled shall be
mustered into service, they will be qualified
with little additional experience for the prac-
teal duties of the field.
Military movements, even when most eco
nomically conducted, are necessarily expensive,
and the burden liable to bear heavily upon the
industrial classes. If the means for prosecu-
ting the war, however, be promptly furnished,
the power of the governmental authorities to
speedily conquer peace will be increased That
our brave volunteers who have already as
sumed, or who may soon assume, the respon-
sibilities and perils ofmilitary life, may be
rendered as comfortable as possible during
their term of service, and permitted to return
to their homes at an early day, earnestly
appeal to the property holders of the State t.
aid in the prompt payment ofdelinquent taxes
We have men, brave and true, in superabund
ance. There is money due the State treasury
sufficient to meet the present legal demand
upon the general fund for civil and military
purposes, and pay off a large portion of thu
State Indebtedness but while sum exceed
ing 100000 of former levies is in arrears
the executive department of the State is rem
dered comparatively powerless, and the mill
tary service subjected to extreme embarras
ments. Will the patriotic masses of Iowa il
their individual capacity see to it, that th
barrier to effective military service, shall be a
speedily as possible removed?
have been induced to make the foregoing
suggestion in this manner because of my belle
that the people of the State would cordial
cooperate with me in any honest, pruden
f endeavor to advance the public interest
While only few may be permitted to endur
the hardships and face the hazards of tn
camp, and to meet the foe in the shock ofbai
!, tle each citizen, in this hour of our nations
, necessities hasa public obligation to discharg,
and it may be as effectively cancelled while il
the prosecution of the peaceful pursuits 9
l industry, as at the most hazardous posts G
e duty SAMUEL j. KIRKwooD.
Desmoines June 18th, 1861.