The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-17

bic terms and without injurious competition
with the National Government. Arms have
been distributed among the border counties to
all the organizations that have been formed TO
receive them. 1880 arms have been thus dis
tributed. have also addressed letter 10 the
commissioners OF all the border counties, offer
ing arms TO them as soon as military organIza-
tons shall be formed 10 receive them. Besides
thus complying with the requirements Of the 81
section Of the Act OF 18th May last, | have
deemed II prudent to oGar five thousand arms
to such military organizations as may be form
ed in Philadelphia on plan 10 be approved by
me as Commander-in-C Chief. Muskels and RI
fles TO considerable extent baye been furnish
ed 10 the Pennsylvania volunteers from The
State rsenal.-Otbers have been sent by the
United States authorities to arm Them before
leaving the State. Ia some cases regig.epts
have gone without arms under assurances from
the War Department that they would be arm
ed at Washington or other near designated
points. aud that their immediate departure was
required. II was thought wise in these cases
not TO insist 90 the arms being sent before the
regiments marched, as this you'd have imposed
on the government an unnecessary expense in
freight. and would have been productive OF
delays which might have been seriously detli-
mental 20 the public service. Forty-two pieces
OF artillery with limbers, ca,ssons forges, am
nunIon wagons, harness and all the nucessary
implements and equipments were furnished by
the State to the artillery regiment OF the Re-
serve Corps. Ten ofthese were purchased by
the State, and their cost has been refunded BY
The United States Diligence has been used 10
collecting arms throughout the State and repair
ing and altering them in the most approved man
ner.
The State has now
SO pieces Of artillery, of which II need
repairs.
26, ,753 muskets and rifles, some Of which are in
the hands ofthe mechanics being repaired,
1910 are in The hands of volunteer
corps throughout the State; 1880 in the
possession Of County Commissioners, and
1000 with the reserve corps Of Phila-
delphia.
In addition to this the city of Philadelphia
epieces Of rGed artillery, and
4,976 muskets s0d rifles.
The State has also in the Arsenal at Harris
burg.
1866 sabres aud swords, aud
1887 pistols, and the city Of Philadelphia has
44o sabres, and
326 pistols with the necessary accountre-
There is also IN TIE ars..~,.
large amount of accoutremen:s and ammuni-
t,on for artillery and small arms.
The Adjutant General is successfully engag-
ed IN collecting arms throughout The State, and
it is expected that the number above stated
will oe largely increased. Probably, at least
5000 muskeis and rifles aud several pieces OF
| artillery will be collected.
The care which has been bestowed upon the
comfort of the volunteers, and the goodness
and sufficency Of their supplies Of all kinds,
and the excelleot arrangements OF the Medical
Department under the control of Surgeon Gem
eral Henry II. Smith, are proved by The fact
that more than 10000 men have been for vari-
GUS, generally short periods at Camp Curtin
sIuce the 10Th of April last, and that down 10
the LIST January inst, there died but forty-nine
men at that camp. viz, foriy-four from sickness,
twotbelongiDg to regiments from other States,
who bad been injured on railroads, two scci-
dentally killed in Camp Curtin aud one shot
IN Harrisburg.
To facilitate the making of alotments OF
their pay by our volunteers in the field for the
support OF their families a. home. | appoin-
ted Hon. Edgar Cowan, Thomas E. franklin and
| E. c. Humes, Esqs., commissioners to visit the
camps OF our men on and south OF the Potomac,
and also James Park and nj. w. Belizhoover,
Esqs., commissioners to visit those in Kentucky
and elsewhere in the western county, to call
the attention OF the troops to the system OF al
| loimen. and to encourage them in adopting a
practical plan for carrying it into effect.
! The several reports OF these commissioners
are highly satisfactory.
| For details on the several subjects connected
with the military operations of this State, re-
:er 10 the reports of the AdIutaut General, Sur
geon General, Quarter Maste- General, Com
missary General and Paymaster General which
accompany this Message.
The duties imposed oil me were SO ouerous
that iound il necessary TO invite the tempo
rary assistance OF gentlemen on my staff to aid
me TO pei form them.
In this capacity, Coils. Thomas A. Scott,
Gideon j. Bal! and ] ohm A. Wright conribu-
ted their valuable services from the middle of
April unit! they were called away BY other
duties, Col. Scott remaining until he became
connected with the War Department, Col. Ball
until the LIST of June and Col. Wright until
the 23d of July; for the time thus devoted to
The service Of the State they have reiused'to re-
ceive any compensation.
Cols Joseph D. Potts, A. L. Russell, j.
Brown Parker and Craig Biddle were in SER
vice up to the 20ih OF December. The Depart
ment OF Telegraph and Transportation was un
| der the exclusive control of Gel. Potts. The
system and economy oi its management show
how faithfully and we'll he fulfilled his Office.
1t IS but just to all these gentlemen that
should bear testimony TO the untifeing zeal and
fidelity with which their duties were performed.