The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-01-22

HOSPITALS, DuL III IIdDy ChoSo NHS'S 7''S' SNiAi
plants reached me, and where l always caused
investigation to be made, I have been subse-
convinced that the complaints where
without foundation, and emanated from some
worthless source.
Immediately after the appropriation, | sent sew
erai competent gentlemen to the principe hospl~
tails to act as agents, on the part OF the state IN
looking after and aiding our SICK anu Wouhaed
soldiers. But few such agents, not exceeding four
at anv one time, have ever been sent, ana Their
labor has in all instances been most usefuliy be-
In the Cities of New York and Phlladel-
1 have made use of agencies alle by estab-
fished bv other States, and in the City of Wash
inCton the Wisconsin aid society has rendered most
and gratuitOus services. A soldier lying
in a hospital sick and wounded has many wants
that the regular hospital attendants cannot well
spnply. The agents can see these wants, pro-
cure descriptive lists place sick men in commune
cation with their relatives, see that those who are
entitled to discharges obtain such, and see that
abuses in hospitals are promptly brought to the
attention of superior officers and remedied.
Much complaint, and | regret to say, Just COM
nlaint has been made on the matter OF discharges
Men wholly unfit for service have often been
obliged to remain in hospitals for want of their
discharges. an unreasonable length OF time; many
have died, who but for the negligence OF some oils
Ger in not promptly forwarding the papers, might
have recovered if permitted to go home, or at least
might have expired in the arms of their friends
In this matter the State agents have worked ln-
cessantly, and have often made compliant to the
proper authorities, not always, however with sue
cess. Some delay ia unavoidable but d large part
of it unreasonable, and some change to the pres
emf system Of discharges seems absolutely demand
ed, recommend that you memorabilia the Pre-l-
dent upon this subject, as upon the subject OF
establishing G. hospital in this State, to which a
large norton of our sick and wounded might be
brought. l also respectfully recommend that be-
fore You adjourn, the necessary appropriation be
made to enable me to continue to give aid to our
sick and wounded soldiers.
| cannot close this subject without paying a
proper tribute to the many noble aid societies
consisting mostly of women in cur State, who
have incesently labored to supply the wants OF
the sick and wounded soldiers, or without men,
tioning the many obligations under which the
Commissions, they having always supplied oul
wants, and often, without being asked, rendered
their assistance.
Military Contingent Fund.
Although tho expenses of organizing and equip
ping new regiments have during thespast veal
been borne directly by the United States 1t ye
often happens that the executive Is called upol
aud is expected to make some disbursements il
connection with the organization OF the troops
which would constitute a proper claim against tht
Federal Government, but for which no provision
has been made. | have often been embarrassed il
matters OF this kind, not considering the civil con
tingent fund as the propsr SOURCE from WINCH tt
draw for this porpose. 4 reasonable sum shoulC
DC DldCcu W tut oASPOSLI ~ NV N
purpose, to be accounted for in the proper manner
the expenditure of this money to be brought in &C
count AGAINST the Ganeral Government as q legit
mate claim for raising troops for its defense,
allotment System.
All allotment Commissioners, appointed 10y tn
President of the United States under an act o
Congress, but whose expenses are borne by thu
State under d law Of the last legislature, entered
mon their duties early last spring in taking TIL
.to4,,o,t of or,r soldiprG in The Geld To nDAhI
them safely and regularly 10 transmit so much o
their pay to their families aud friends at home aS
they might set apart for that purpose, This allot
ment system, excellent and benehclal aS 1t Woul(
undoubtedly be and as it was designed to be, ha
y,at with many obstacles ON the part of pay Off
GERS. whose labors were therby somewhat lncreas
ed so as to interfere very materially with thu
progress of tho work on tie part OF me CoInInls'
sioners. and with a proper execution OF II. lhi
efforts of the commissioners, aided materially
NV the voluntary assistance of the State Treasures
have been incessant to insure the proper working
of the system, and under recent stringent orders
f rom the United States military departments, it i
believed that the difficulties have been removed
and that heuceforth, our soldiers and their fami'
lies will have the uninterrupted benefit Oft.
The report of the allotment Commissioner
which will be laid before you, will show you tht
result of their labors and the difficulties they haC
to meet and overcome. Up to the Joth DAY oIDe
ca,nber last, L.. 637 men had allotted to their famI
lies the sum of 81 ,7S3, 1852 per annum. The reg
imepts from our State being very much scattered
in the service, the allotment Of quite number o
them have not yet been made, while from the
Twentieth upward it was secured for oil regiments
before they LETT the State.
Stale military Department.
Under the law of last year the Commlssary
General has been early relieved frow actual duty
his duties being devOlved by me upon the Qnartel
Master General. This officer has almost entirely
wound up the matters connected with his depart
meut there only remaining Jew months labor &c
place the accounts and books OF that ohIcer III
proper condition.
The officer of Surgeon General has been contia'
nee, and the services of that officer have been most
important and will continue soto be as long as oul
army remains in the field.
The labor and work in the Adiutant Generals
office have been much increased during the past
year,
proper claim against the General Government
and will undoubtedly be allowed, since they have
certainly been kept within very low and reasons
Bile bounds.
T reports of the Adiutant General and Quar-,
ter Master General, will be submitted TO you as
soon as printed. That of the Surgeon General has
not vet been received, that officer being absent on
an expeditiono to the battle field at Murfreesboro.
AS soon as received, it will be laid before you.
The condition 0fAe country.
II is now almost two years since the rebellion of
+ba Southern States, instigated by the ambition of
had and interruptions men, broke out IN open war
AGAINST the Government of the United States. This
war has assumed gigantic proportions, and has
cost vast sacrifices of blood, life and treasure. But
for the Ioyal people of the North and the General
Government, there were but two ways open, either
to yield TO the outrage5 committed upon
the nstion by the traitors IN arms, and dlshonfa>
hlv submit to a ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Union and
a destruction of the Government and Constitution
or TO bring out the military power of the loyal
States TO suppress the rebellion and enforce the
law. The Government and the people with one
accord chose the latter alternative, the only one
liar could be honorably chosen. The Contest is
sill raging; a new and large army has been sent
to the field, and although the nation has been
disanDOinted in the success thus far made, we must
not forget that we were over sangulne, nor must
we forget what has actually been accomplished -
The fortunes OF war not always on the same
side Int if. with our resources and confidence in
fine Righteousness of our cause, we remain united
in the SUPPORT of the Government in the struggle
for its existence, | trust that all the sacrifices in
blood and treasure will not have been vainly made
end that we shall yet see the Union and the au>
thority of the Government OF the United states
resestablished.
Dir1de ct emprea, is an old adage that the enemies
of the country, and the sympathizers with the re-
belion in the North have wen learned. Hall
trra laval men of the South will stand united.
and will not allow party strife and prejudices to
dark en- their better Judgment, the few trditOrOus
men that may be- amolg us Will be powerless. The
South builds its last hope upon a divided North.
In Judging the acts OF the Administration in
the conduct Of this war. we should be forbearing.
On no man was ever, on this continent, 50 fearful
a responsibility thrown, as rests upon the Presi~
dent of the United States. No candid man doubts
his earnest desire to save the Government, the
Union. and the Constitution; bnt he is human
and may err, as we are all liable TO err. Much
fault is found in certain quarters with his recent
proclamation of emancipation, and much is said
of concilatory measures. Either the prosecution
of this var and the suppression OF the rebellion is
lust and right, or It is unjust and wrong. Ifiust,
ell means allowed by the usages of war of the civ
iIized world should be resOrted to for its Successful
termination; humanity even, and justice 10 our
brave army demand this they demand that there
should be a rigorous prosecution Of the Cay, The
emancipation proclamation is strictly a war msa-
sure. designed to lead to g speedy and successful
termination ofthe war by d~epriying the enemy of
one of its chief means Of support. IL times OF
peace the President would under the constitution
clearly not have had the power 10 interfere with
slavery in any Of the States, but when the South