, 1862-08-05
THE WAR MEETING AT THE
COURT HOUSE.
Exempt Citizens In the Field.
Formation of Home Guards
SPEECHES AND COMMITTEES,

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The exempt citizens of Chicago met Last |
evening in the Recorders Room In the Court |
House, to take Into consideration the forn1a- |
ton OF regiment Of Home Guards, to be
composed exclusively OF those Of our citizens |
who, in case Of draft, would be exempt from
military duty. The meeting WIS organized
by the appointment Of Peter Page as Chair
man and A. H. Bodman as Secretary.
The Chairman stated the object Of the meet
ing, and referred 10 the duties deyol7Ing
upon those who, under ordinary circumstan-
ces, would be exempt from duty. Whether or
not this class Of persons we're needed to defend
our common country, there we're duties which
they could perform satisfactorily.
c. b. Walker Was pleased to meet his fel-
low citizens. He did not doubt that, If
the citizens Of Chicago came up to the work
in the proper spi1it, such patriotic atmos-
phere would be difnsed as would tel i'm
mensely upon the nation's success IN the pros
ecution Of the war for the suppression Of the
rebellion. The people were beginning to dis
cover who the loyal citizens Of Chicago we're,
and he hoped that this knowledge would tend
to root out the traitors from our midst. #
his services we're valuable in any capacity, they
were ready. If an army strong enough could
be got together this internal rebellion could
be speedily extinguished.
A1onzo Harvey had come to the meeting &C.
tuaaed by the same sentiments which seemed
to influence his friend Walker. II regiment
Of Home Guards was formed he VAS willing to
mite and give his services in any position.
He thought such regiment would be especl-
ally setyieeab1e in guarding the prisoners at
Camp Douglas, that the regiments there
could be sent into the field where they be-
longed. He would shoulder his musket and
take his turn with the rest.
Dan Boss said he WIS under fortY-five and
subject to military duty, and therefore felt as
ifhe did not belong in that crowd at au What
be wanted was that the old mep, the exempts.
should form regiment or two and look alter
Camp Douglas, and allow the chiYalric Hough
and the gallant Tucker to take the field with
their commands.
Mr. Hutchings said he was called upon by
Dr.. Dyer to assist in forming regiment Of
Home Guards, and Was fully satisfied that if
the right conrse vas pursued, at least three
regiments could be raised in Chicago. He
had furnished three boys for the war, and he
| Was willing to make The fourth representative
t from his family, and serve either at home or
| abroad. When the old Home Guard was es-
tab}lshed year ago, there were no arms OBJ
tainable, and the project was dropped. Nov
this difficulty was obViated. The new cali for
| 00,O0O necessitates draft. The old men were
| exempt by Law, bnt he thought no one would
| skulk behind bis exemption. All t1is talk
| was well enough in it's way, but it amounted
| to nothing unless followed BY action. He ad.
Vlked immediate organization, and aoork They
| should take like steps towards raising the re-
! nnifp1 rpp1TnhnfE In fftp cf
I meIts Of government service. This dra't is
sued by the Secretary Of War should have
been made months ago.
Alfred Dutch feared the citizens Of the eoun-
Try did not fully appreciate the magnitude Of
| the crisis. He deplosed the apathy which ex-
listed, and was ready to shoulder his musket
/ and 60 to Camp Douglas, or anywhere else
his services might be needed. h was paincd
to witness the chickering's and disputes among
! the people. There we're matters about which
men might honestly differ, but all these
| could be settled after the war. He thought
| the Government were beginning to apprsci-
ate the magnitude Of this rebellion, and that
| the call for SOC. 600 men a few week since and
the draft for 500 00 more, the intelligence Of
which had just been made public, sho wed
| that the authorities were III earnest. He
hoped the President would order mother levy.
eince it was easier to keep two millions in tie
| field year, than one million for two years.
If the President lB timid in the matter Of cal1-
l
by resolutions and Recommendations
Sanford B. Perry said, that at the Late mass
meeting Of the cltizens Mt Bryan Hail. the
Union Defense Committee were requested to
take measures for the organization of regi-
ment ofHome Guards, audh eunderstood that
preliminary arrangements had been made.
The Common Council had passed a resolution
for the purchase Of arms, ETC. The plln o
the committee was nearly perfected and
would coon be made public.
A1oDzo Harvey thought the plan proposed
| would not interfere with the proposition o1
the Union Defense Committee, aud moved the
! appointment of committee Of five, inc}ud
ing the chairman, to draft resolutions,
prepare muster rolls for signature, aud re-
port the same for the action Of an adjourned
meeting to be held at the Recorders Cour
room on Wednesday evening next.
Col. ATlan moved, in order to get at tht
stEse OF the meeting, that it is the opinion O.
the meeting that necessary arrangement:
should be made at once to perfect measure;
Tor the organization Of a regiment to be IN
posed OF men entirely exempt By Lar from
military duty. This motion passed unanl
mouely.
The motion Of Aldermen Harvey was the,
, carried, and the following gentlemen nam=t
as the committee: Aid. Harvey, DR.. Dyer
Col. Arian, ". Hutchings, Dr.. Waite, Pete
Page. Alfred Dutch was Subsequently adde
, | to tie committee
Aid. Harvey said there were l0, ,0c3 stand Q
arms IN the CITY, and suggested that tbs CON
E mittse call upon the Governor, who was no,
, in Chicago, and learn if q portion Of thes
!, could lot be secured for the USE OF the reg
, ment.
: The business for which the meeting wa
s callt being finished, an adjournment was ca
= ritd, to meet at the Recorders Court room 0
Wednesday, evening next, at O'Clock.