Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-09-20

be compelled to go. A distinction
might also properly be made betweer
married ard unmarried men; exemp
tions should % made, as in all civilized
countries, in certain cases where of the
same family several are already in the
service and one has remained at home
as the suppol ter of the family. 49, So.
In case of further demand 70,
troops, State regulations, under the
sanction Of the Legislative power, should
exist for these and other points.
A few weeks ago the public was
startled and shocked by the news of an
Indian raid and massacre in one of our
neighboring States. This attack OF
F; the savayes in Minnesota, was followed
immediately by calls upon me from our
own frontier III the northern and north
western part of the State, for arms,
ammunition and men. SO far as lay in
my po wer, I Immediately and prompt
ly answered those calls by sending all
our State arms and all the ammunition
at my disposal, into the regions threat
ened with danger; but in the absence
of any military organization under the
sanction of law, | had to trust these
arms to some reliable men in the difer-
ent localities. There are thousands of
Indians in our State lowering upon the
frontier settlements. Evidence has
been furnished to me that leaves little
doubt in my mind that all the northern
tribes of Indians, including those in
our own State, have been tampered
with by Southern emisSaries in the en-
ploy of the rebels, to induce them to
form league and to commence war
fare upon the borders of the loyal
States. The recent outbreak in Min
nesota, | am we'll satisfied, must be as
cribed to rebel influence.
The fearful consequences of an un-
expected attack of these savages upon
our peaceful communities can hardly be
imagined; but the recent panic in some
of the mos. densely populated parts of
our State, must be solemn warning to
us to be prepared. After the regiments
now in organization In our State shall
have left, the savage warriors within
our borders, if melted to similar atroc-
tiles rs the Sioux tribe in Minnesota,
could plunder and murder our peaceful
citizens by thousands, if we do not arm
and prepare ourselves. We cannot re-
ly upon protection by the strong arm
of the General Government in such an
emergency; its help would be too tar.
dy. When the Minnesota massacre
occurred, and the citizens of our from
tier counties sent III requests and dele
cations to me, [ Immediately applied
to the Secretary of War, Mr.. Stanton,
by telegraph, for arms and Ammunition.
After repeated dispatches stating our
condition, and asking for ammunition,
and after many days elap>e an answer
came from that officer, saying that be
did not know that there were Indians
in Wisconsin! The time and attention
of the Secretary of War is evidently
and naturally 50 much e..grossed with
the movements OF our grand army, that
prompt action can hardly be expected
in case of any disturbances on our
frontier. After more than two weeks
from the time of the massacre, Mime
sofa was yet without sufficient arms.
and applied to us for aid. I trust and
hope that no such disturbances will
arise in our State, but the surest mode
Of avoiding danger is to be prepared
pared for it. We should become fa-
miliar with the thought that in the pres
ent condition of our country, we must
become a warlike people; every com
:nunity should be prepared to defend
itself
To be able, then, promptly to answer
future calls OF the General Government
for troops to be able to send into the
field men who know at least the rudi-
ments of drill and how to use a gun :;
to be able to defend our own firesides
against attacks and invasion, our State
should have an effective organization
OF the militia, and a sufficient supply of
arms and ammunition, and should have
it now. Our present laws are inSuffi-
clent for this purpose; they were not
made for such times or emergencies ;
our suppl y of arms is too small, and
for ammunition we have to rely on the
Government at Washington. #
Perhaps circumstances will not per-
NIT you to enact at the present time, an
entirely new and we'll digested militia
system, with all its details. l would
therefore recommend that by some few
and general enactments amending the
present militia law, provision be made
for the immediate organization. the ne
cessary drill, and the calling into ac-
tive service, in case of necessity, of the
militia of our State that provision be
made for drafting militia in case of
need to serve out Of the State, and for
the purchase Of the necessary arms and