Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-10-16
Military Meters in Ohio.
Yours, &c
GEO. L. WOOD.
HEADQUARTERS, ONO MILITIA,
ADJUTANT GENERAL OFFICE,
Columbus, Sept. 81, 1861.

COLUMBUS, OepI u, IoOl-
There are many able men in the State
of Ohio who cannot bear arms and engage
personally in the present war for putting
down rebellion, but who can, if they will
give few weeks of undivided attention to
the calls of the country, and by their in
Auence and labor Systematically exerted,
produce results the most important and
desirable in stimulating our recruiting ser
vice.
For the purpose of securing the aid of
such citizens, and rendering it effective, the
following plan has been adopted.
A District Committee is appointed in
each Congressional District, whose duty it
is to appoint in each county (or sub-divis-
ion of the county, if the committee deem
it adyisable) committees achoSe names aciU
be Immediately reported to this Depart
me'lt, which committees shall consist of
five persons, unless the District committee
think best to change the number
The District committee will have gen.
eral supervision Of the operations of the
county committees, and direct the plan of
their work, and visit, encourage and assist
them. Should they find any of the coun-
ty committees neglecting their duty, they
shall appoint others in their stead, and see
that the work is done effectually and thor
oughly. They will keep this Department
constantly advised of the condition of the
service, the distractions in the way of re-
eruiting, and especially the existence and
influence Of any secret organization of men
opposed to the war.
The county committees will be charged
with tie supervision of the recruiting SER
vice in their counties, and they will assist
in the work. To this end they will ap-
point meetings, see that speakers are pro-
Tided, and earnestly impress upon all citi-
zens the necessity of filling the ranks i'm
mediately with recruits, that Ohio may
not be compelled to resort to draf;ing-
They will see that the work is thoroughly
done, and above all, that it is done prompt
ly. The men are wanted now They will
communicate daily with this office, and ask
for such advice, assistance or information
as they may need. They will be expected
to communicate confdentially to this De-
partment their opinion of the merits of
candidates for commissions. They will
hear and determine upon all such questions
of fact as may arise, and their conclusions
will be final. They will give information
in daily reports to this Office of the prog
ress Of the work, and of the faithful exc
cution of their duty by the recruiting Off
GERS, and advise us Immediately of any who
may prove themselves unfit for the duty.
All candidates for commissions must come
with the recommendation of the military
committees Gf aDy) Of their Counties
And the committees are especially caution /
ed that in their determination they are to
judge carefully the character of the candi-
dates. The efficiency of an army depends
most Of all on its company officers; and it
is impossible for this Department to judge
among the many to be appointed; and the
must see that neither prejudice,
partiality nor Indifference shall inlict up
on the service improper and worthless off
GERS.
The system of recruiting permits, here
tofore used in this Department, is abolish
ed. and the committees will see that thlse
who have volunteered are if possible saved
to the service. The committees will see
that there is no unauthorized interference
with the recruiting duty. They will en-
deavor to combine the parts of companies
'aoa0 recruited, and if they can not be com
bined nor completed then that they be turn
ed over to the parties holding commissions
or be disbanded. The power of commit
tees over the entire subject is intended to
be plenary. and should be exercised with
but with infexible 6rmness.-
There is hereafter to be no companies re-
cciyed except through the recruiting off,
GERS appointed by the Governor, and all at
tempts of others to recruit companies will
be worse than useless. After the expira-
ton of the times limited for report in au
thorities to recruit now outstanding, un-
less companies are in the meantime re-
ported, they must be disbanded or turned
over to the committees, or such parties as
may have commissions from this Depart
ment.
The Governor will appoint, at his dis
,retion, Second Lieutenants, who will be
mustered into the service, and
iuly instructed by mastering officer. who
will be in attendance at these head-quar-
ers for the purpose. The lieutenants thus
appointed will be required to enlist GER
ain number of men, on failure of which !