Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-06-11
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
DELIVERED JUNE 1862.

DELIVERED JUNE 3, 1862.
To the Hon. the Senate and Asseaadly'
Since your adjournment in April last,
our State has been thrown into deep
mourning by the sad and sudden death
of its late Chief Magistrate, the Hon.
Louis P. Harvey, who, on the 10th day
of April, 1862, lost his life at Savan-
nah, in the Tennessee River. The last
among the Governors elected by the peo-
pie of this State, he is the first who has
been removed by death from our midst.
The circumstances leading to and sur
rounding the tragic and melancholy end
of the houored and lamented deceased
are well known to the people, aud are,
with his memory, treasured up in their
hearts. He died while in the exercise of
the highest duties of philanthropy and
humanity, that noble impulse bad i'm
posed upon him. Wisconsin and the
Union have not lost truer son in this
great struggle against the atrocious rebel
lion yet in arms against our government
and Constitution.
"~ Without intending here to recapitulate
the circumstances of the death of Gov.
Harvey which are so we'll known and re-
membered by all, feel called upon to
mention to you the names and acts of
some among the many who are worthy
of thanks and consideration for their ex-
ertions in recovering and bringing back
to our State, the earthly remains of our
late Chief Magistrate. But before these,
let me first mention the name of DR.. r.
B. Clark, of Racine, who, regardless of
his own life, boldly, though vainly, threw
himself into the dangerous stream to save
the life of Gov. Harvey. Though I'M
successful, the act was not the less no.
BILE.
r. u n y
It has been source of very great en-
barrassment to the Executive Department
that no provisions had been made for the
contingencies which have arisen since
your adjournment. concerning the sick
and wounded soldiers from our state.
Wisconsin has sent into the field $4,000
men, and new regiment is now being
organized. AS our army has advanced,
a great many of our brave soldiers have
become sick, and many have been
wounded upon the battle field. Espe-
ciaIy has this been the case in the Army
of the Mississippi. After the battle Of
Pittsburg Landing, my lamented prede-
cessor went to the battle field to aid and
assist the wounded. What be had SO
molly commenced, | did not hesitate to
carry out, SO far as having those soldiers
transported to their homes who had by
him been sent up the Mississippi River.
Subsequently, when reliable and contin-
ued accounts reached me of the helpless
condition of our sick soldiers along the
Tennessee River, of the inadequate relief
granted by the United States authorities;
when battle was hourly expected, and
when I was actually and credibly in
formed that great battle near Corinth
had commenced, I sent another commits
sion under the charge of the Commissa-
ry General, E. R. Wadsworth, and the
Surgeon General, DR.. E. B. WoIcott, to
Pittsburg Landing, and although no bat
tie occurred then, the commission, con-
sisting Of gentlemen who volunteered
their services, saved the lives of many
brave Wisconsin soldiers who were lying
sick from the effects of the climate, and
who would have died had they not been
removed. Since then, all state aid has
been excluded by the military authorities,
until after a battle. But in that event,
aid ought again to be, granted to those
who fall wounded upon the field.
| trust that you will sanction what has
been done, and will speedily make provi-
sion for future emergencies. The great
and noble state of Wisconsin ought not
to let her brave sons, who fight the bat
ties of the Union, die for want Of atten-
ton. The people, the poor sick. and
wounded soldiers, look to the Executive
for aid in such emergencies; but his
hands are tied, unless you will place the
necessary means at bis disposal The
expenses of such expeditions are necessa-
rily large, Notwithstanding the gratui
tous services of physicians and nurses.
transmit to you herewith, for your
information, copies Of the reports, in de-
tail, of the two expeditions, sent to Keo-
kuk and to Pittsburg Landing. and also
the report, by the Surgeon General, of
the operations of the last mentioned ex.
petition.
Aside from such expeditions, in cases
of emergency there are constantly claims
made upon me in individual cases. 1t is
but very recently that the General Gov
eminent has made provision for the trans
portation of such sick and wounded SOL
diers as have money due them from the
Government. Those who have no pay
due them will not be furnished with
transportation, but must shift for them
selves. In the cities of New York, Gin.
cinnati, st. Louis, and other places, there
are constantly arriving some of our sick
and wounded soldiers, snxiously expect
ing to find some agency from our state
that will aid them to get to their homes.
Something should be done to relieve