Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-08-06
Gov. Tod to the People of Ohio
THE STATE OF ONO, !
Executive DEPARTMENT., !
itnr trxtt,tro T,,l,, le IQcQ


To the People of the State:
The exciting and important events which
have transpired within the past two weeks,
make the present moment fitting one for
the Chief Executive to address you.
Late in the night of the l2tb instant re-
cevcd reliable information that a.well or
ganized rebel force of cavalry and artillery,
supposed to exceed five thousand in num-
ber, under the lead of the notorious John
Morgan, was about to enter the Southwest
ern portion of our State. Awaiting myself
Of the power given me by the Constitution
and laws, at once, by Proclamation, call
ed out for the defense Of the State, that
portion OF its organized militia forces resi-
ding within the counties supposed to be in
danger. As these organizations were only
consummated by the election Of company
officers on the 4th instant, but few returns
had been made; hence, it was quite uncer-
tain what the actual number embraced in
the call would be. The route the enemy
would take was also uncertain. 1t was be-
lieved, however, that the capital of our
State was altogether the most attractive
point for the enemy. This pointgafforded a
richer field for plunder than any other with
in his reach, and in addition to this there
was at Camp Chase over thousand rebel
prisoners, many of whom, including his
Chief of Staff, had been captured from
Morgan's band. Hence to this point was
ordered larger force OF the militia than to
any other.
The other points named; outside of Gin
cinnati, for the assemblage OF the militia,
were Camp Dentfson, Chillicothe, Ports
mouth and Marietta. The response to the
call, ut all the points, was most gratifying
With but very few individual exceptions
the men called into service, forgetting ev
erything but duty, promptly and cheerfully
repaired to the camps assigned them, and
when en- route for camp, while there, aDt
when returning to their respective homes
conducted themselves in q manner mos
creditable. The people Of the State shoulc
ever hold in grateful remembrance the mel
who thus won SO much character for-Ou
State. The few who endeavored to escap,
full performance Of duty will De frownet
upon and despised by all good citizens, ant
this is the severest punishment that cen b,
inflicted upon a fellow-citizen.
The large militfs force assembled nea
Columbus, kept the enemy from attemptin,
an attack Upon this place. All the othe
points indicated for the assemblage of tn,
HlllIttd, WCiC iOit Vi ny oiiO ouS"y t-euoi w
for their presence, would have been sacRet
and played.
From these several points, large number
of the militia moved promptly out and par
ticipated with the Federal forces in the nti
msrous skirmishes and engagements thu
took place with the enemy; and in every ia
stance. save one, behaved with great gal
lsntry and bravery. The exception referre'
to, was the surrender Of about three hun
dred and fifty, under command Of Col. Son
tag, near Portsmouth. The men oomprs
ing this command are all indignant at TIL
conduct of their commanding >ofi,er, AM
n ATE lin nowise responsible for the disgrac
chat attaches to the surrender The con
duct of Col. Sonrag, although voluntee
officer without appointment or commission
shall be inquired into. 1 am now in pos
session of Information which would enabl
me to do justice to ali the officers in com
mand Of these various organizations.
lean, however, bear testimony to the zes
q and efficiency of the several military com
n mittees of the counties traversed by the en-
eny; there services were invaluable to th