The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-07-03
TO THE PEOPLE OF IOWA,
DEs MONIES, June 18th, 1861

In response 10 tne call OF. the ueneTdl
Government for Military aid in defense of
Federal authority and Federal property, the
State of Iowa has furnished three Regiments
of Infantry, who are encamped at the. rem
devious designated by the War Department
undergoing the necessary preparatory disci-
pline for active service Two of these Regi-
ments, the Second and Third, enlisted for
the term of three years, or during the con-
tinuance of the war while the First, organ
ned under the first call for volunteers, were
enlisted 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 Regiments were fully accepted as a
portion of the United States Army, the re-
sponsibility ofprovidng for their subsistence
devolved upon the State authorities.
During the late Extra Session of the Gen
eral Assembly, an Act was passed authori.
zing and empowering the Governor to organ
ze two Regiments of Infantry, one Battalion
of Artillery, one Squadron of Cavalry. and
one Regiment Of Mounted Rifemen, which
free, in whole or in part, was intended for
the protection of the inhabitants of the front.
Ter Counties, from marauding parties of Ind-
an or Southern Insurgents, and to be held
also as a reserve foicefor the assistance of
the United States Government. These vol
unteer organizations will called into requi-
stion as the necessities of the State or
National Government may be developed. In
order, however, that men shall be withdrawn
from the pursuits of Productive Industry for
those of War, no faster than the public sccu-
rity shallrender imperative, would suggest
that volunteer companies be organized for
purposes of drill, merely, in each County
having a sufficient population. Without
abandonment of business or absence from
home, the elementary discipline of military
education can be thus thoroughly acquired,
so that when the companies so drilled shall
be mustered into service, they viii be quail
fled with little additional experience for the
practical duties Of the field. -. ..r ..s
Military movements, even when most eco
nomically conducted, are necessarily expen.
sve, and the burden liable to bear heavily
! upon the industrial classes IF the means
for prosecuting the war however, be prompt.
ly furnished, the power Of the Governmental
Authorities to speedily conquer Peace, will
be increased. That our brave Volunteers
who have already assumed, or who NAV
soon assume tae Responsibilities and perils
of military life, may be rendered as comfort,
able 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 to aid in the prompt
payment of delinquent taxes. We have
men, brave and true, in superabudance.-
There is money due the State Treasury suf
ficient to meet the epresen legal demand lpun
the General Fund for Civil and Military pur,
poses. and pay offa large portion OF the State
| Indebtedness but while sum exceeding
S40O, 900 Of former levies is in arrears, the
Executive Department Of the State is ren
dered comparatively powerless, and the mill
| tary service subjected to extreme embarrass
ments. VIII the patriotic masses of lows
in their individual capacity see to it thai
| this barrier to the effective military service
shall be as speedily as possible removed
have been induced to make the foregoing
suggestions in this manner because of my
belief that the People of this State would
cordially cooperate with ME in my honest
prudent endeayor to advance the public in
terest While only few may be permitted
to endure the hardships and face the hazard.
of the camp, and to meet the foe in the SHOCK
of battle, each citizen, in this hour of oul
National necessities has a public obligation
TO d Rarge, and it may be as effectively
cande1ed while in the peaceful pursuits O
industry, as at the most hazardous posts O
duty. SAMUEL j. KlRKWOOD.