The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-16

mSntS or the NJ eQlcal departments, Uuuci
the contro. of Surgeon General Henry ii.
Smith, are proved by the fact that more
than go 900 men have been for various,
generally short, periods at Camp Curtin,
since the 10Th of April last, and that
down to the lst of January inst, there died
but forty-nine men at that camp, viz ::
forty four from sickness, two, belonging
to regiments from other States) vino had
been injured on railroads, two acoiden-
tally killed in Camp Curtin, and one shot
in Harrisburg.
TO facilitate the making of allotments
of their pay by our volunteers in the field
for the support of their families at home,
[ appointed Hon. Edgar CoWan, Thomas
q. franklin, and Z. G. Humes, Esqs.,
commissioners, to visit the camps of our
men on and south Of the Potomac, and,
also, James Park and NJ. w. Beltzhoo-
yer, Esqs., commissioners to visit those
in Kentucky, and elsewhere in the wes-
tern country, to call the attention OF the
troops to the system of allotment, and TO
encourage them i'll adopting a practical
plan for carrying 1t into effect.
The several reports of these commits
sioners are highly satisfactory.
For details on the several subjects con-
nected with the military operations of
this State, / refer to the reports of the
Adjutant General, Surgeon General,
Quartermaster General, Commissary Gen
eral, and Paymaster General, which ac-
company this message.
The duties imposed on me were so
onerous that | found it necessary to in
ho Of
men on my staff to aid me to perform
them.
In this capacity, Coils. Thomas A. Scott,
Gideon j. Ball, and John A. Wright,
! contributed their valuable services, from
the middle Of April until they were cal
led away by other duties; Col. Scott re-
naming until he became connected with
the War Department; Col. Ball until the
lst of June and Col Wright until the
23rd of July. For the time thus devo
ted to the service Of the State they have
refused to receive any compensation.
Coils. Joseph d. Potts, y. d. Russell,
J. Brown Parker, and Craig Biddle, were
in service up to the 20th of December.
The Department of Telegraph and Trans
| portation was under the exclusive control
of Col. Potts. The system and economy
of its management show how faithfully
and well he fulfilled his Office.
It is but just to these gentlemen that l
should bear testimony to the untiring
zeal and fidelity with which their duties
were performed.
The quota of the State having been
more than filed, and her military force
organized, ] was enabled on the 20th Of
! December last to dispense with perso-
nal staff, and the temporary arrangement
which had been made for its employment
was then closed.
BY the 18th section of the act of the
18th of May, 1861, | was authorized to
! draw my warrantszpn the Treasury for a
sum not exceeding $4,000 for compen-
sation to such persons as might be requi-
red to serve the country in military ca
pacity, &c OF this fund [ have drawn
from the Treasury $500 out Of which [
/ paid the compensation Of my personal
| staff, also other expenses Of the military
| department, and the actual expenses of
| persons employed on temporary service,
none Of whom received any further com
| pensation, aud expenses Of the commits
sions appointed to investigate alleged
| frauds, &c, and the expense Of ertablish-
| ing military patrols on the Maryland line,
| and i've hundred dollars on secret service.
My account is settled in the Office OF the
Auditor General up to the lst Of Decem-
Der. On that day | had expended s6,-
400, and, except some inconsiderable pay
ments made since, the balance remains in
my hands.
The report of the Auditor General will
exhibit the items Of the account.
An account Of military expenditures by
the State on behalf of the United States,
as far as the same had been ascertained
and settled by the accounting depart
ment here, was made up to the 1st day of
September, 1861, and presented on the
18th Of that month, at the Treasury De-
partment of the United States for settle
ment and allowances The sum of $685.
| 600 has been received from the Treasury
Department on that account. The repay
ment by the General Government of the
expenses attending the organization and
pport of the Reserve Corps, NAV not be
provided for by any existing act of Con
gress As these expenses were incurred
! by the State for the benefit of the General
Government, and have been productive of
results most important to the welfare and
even safety of the country, it would be
right that an act Of Congress should be
passed providing expressly for their re-
payment. 1t lies with the legislatu to
adopt the proper means fer directing the
attention Of Congress to this subject.