The national Republican., 1862-09-10
PROCLAMATION OF GOV. BRADFORD.
To the People OF Baltimors.
STATE OF MARYLAND,
Executive Department.

STATE OF MARYLAND,
Executive Department.
Annapolis, septsmbsr 9, 1869.
Whereas II has been represented 70 me, upon
authority which seems unquestaonable, thst Q
portion Of he rebel army Of the South, now 10
arms aSainst the Unioo, have crossed our bof-
der, and b encamped upon our territory, men
acine the city Of Baltimore and other portions
OF the State with hostile attack, and II IL ex.
padient that besides oil the powers with which
the Government may to prepared 70 meat thi1
daring invasion, thai our own citizens should
without delay organise throughout the Stats
such militia force % may edectually assist 10
defending our homes aud 6residss against ths
assault OF the invader: & .....
I therefore, 10 virtue OF The authority vested
10 me BY the constitution and laws Of the State,
hereby cali upon her citizens to enroll them
selves at once, In volunteer military organiza
lions, that no possible power ct command may
BE- overlooked In preparing 10 meat every emer.
geucy. In the city Of Baltimore would espe
cially call upon our citixens 70 organize ct once
and complete the formation Of the First Light
Divlsion Of Maryland volunteer militia
which several companies have been already
filled, and their onlcers commissioned.
As mistaken impression seems TO exist IA
some extent Of purpose to offer TO the Gov
eminent the services Of this division, or come
nine months, and this impreesion may ter "a
retard the formation Of the division, would
take this occasion 70 reiterate the assurance
already given 10 many who have corsulted me
on the subject: that no one by becoming q
member Of any company in that division places
himeelf there by In the power Of the officers OF
the organ;s stion 10 transfer bis services, with
ont bis consent, to the volunteer forces Of th.
United States. Whilst opportunity will be
given 10 any regiment or brigade connected
With the division to make such tender Of their
services 10 the Government, no member Of any
such regiment can be constrained 70 suoh Z
course BY the majority Of the command, nor
without bis individual consent.
With this understanding Of the character Of
this military Organization, l hope to see thu
ranks Of the First Light division Immediately
filed, prepared, when called Into the service
Of the State or city, to respond effectuslly In
maintaining their peace and ministeriDg 10
Of II disposed to extend the sphere Of its use
fnlness will have the opportunity, with the
consent Of the Government, Of uniting their
eXertiops with the other volunteers from Mary
land 10 the service of the United States.
To the citizeus Of the several counties,
would appeal, and especially commend to them
the formation Of volunteer caU1lry companies
as better adapted than any other TO the present
emergency.
have provided and am ready at once to dis
tribute cavalry arms ant accoutrements eut1
cient for all that will probably be organlzsd;
and whilst every effort will be made to arm
and equip also all the infantry volunteers that
may Offer, let our citizens not wait for the dis
tributieu Of arms, but organize everywhere
withou. delay, and as,ist In driving from the
State the invading host that now occupies iti
soil, armed with any weapon which opportuni
ty may furnish.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal Of
the State, this sth day Of September, 1862.
A. W. BRADFORD.
By the Governor:
WN B. HILL, Secretary Of State. "