Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-14

| Powder Mills, in the State of Delaware. On
the Oath September the Volunteer Militia were
discharged by me from service, having by
| their spirited demonstration greatly aided in
| preventing the intended invasion of this State
| by the rebels and in compelling their sudden
! evacuation of the portion of Maryland which
they had polluted. For these services the
thanks of the Governor of Maryland and of the
| Commander of the Army of the Potomac We're
rendered to our patriotic troops through me.
| Measures have been taken to procure the pay
ment in full OF these troops, and of the expen-
ses attending their services, by the United
States, in accordance with the terms of the
call by the President. A large portion of the
amount has already been paid. Having ac-
companied this force to Hagerstown. am en-
abled to speak of the courage, fidelity and
Cheerful lness with which the men suffered un-
accustomed prvations, and bore the fire of
the rebel force, performing with alacrity all
the service that was required of them.
On the 4th of August last, a draft of three
hundred thousand militia, to serve for nine
months, was ordered by the President under
| the act OF Congress of 18th July, 1862, and
| regulations were made by his authority in pur-
suance of that act, nnder which regulations
| the enrolment and draft were conducted in
| this State, militia laws being found to be
defective. Several counties and districts hav-
/ ing already supplied by volunteers their pro-
portion of the quota of this State, were ex-
empted from the draft, and time given to
enable others to raise the required number of
| men by voluntary eniistnients. The draft was
generally proceeded with throughout the State
| on the 10Th day Of October last, and the draft
| ed men were directed to be placed in the sew
eral camps OF rendezvous established under
the regulations, where they were organized
and elected their officers, and have since gone
! forward to the army in the field. The draft
was eminently successful, and when the men
had been marched TO the rendezvous, my a.
/ gency in the matter ceased, aud all authority
and control over the men devolved on the u
nited States officers. | cannot bur commend
| the people of Pennsylvania for their cheerful
| obedience to the requirements of the Govern
ment this occasion All the expenses of
| the draft are, of course, to be paid by the e.
nited States, and learn that officers are now
| IN the State charged with the settlements and
payments.
| Including the three months volunteers Penn
| sylvania has furnished to the general govern
! ment, more than two hundred thousand men
| since the breaking ont of the rebellion, be-
| sides some fifty thousand who were in service,
| or actually ready for it, as volunteer militia
under the call of 1lth September last, making
in the whole more than two hundred and fifty
thousand men.
In October last, body Of re be cavalry with
battery of artillery, suddenly crossed the
Potomac and made their way far CHAM
bersburg, plundering. what they found OF sup
plies useful to them and committing other
depredations. They went out of the State by
crossing the South Mountain, and thus reach
ing the Potomac below Harpers Ferry. The
troops in the field we're not prepared at the
moment to punish this attempt on her soil,
and it is to be much regretted that efficient
measures could not have been taken by the
army to capture the rebels on their return to
the Potomac. Immediately after | received
notice that this force had crossed the line of
the State, called into service the Anderson
Cavalry, then encamped at Carlisle, and two
companies of Regulars at the Barracks at that
place. These troops were pushed forward in
the direction of Chanlbersbnrg and South
Mountain. The cavalry at Camp Curtin, con-
sisting of one full and two imperfect regi-
ments, were armed as infantry, and, together
with two companies of infantry and battery
of volunteer light artillery of Harrisburg, were
held in readiness to go forward, when Major
General Wool arrived and assumed the COM
mand of all the forces. He had previously
ordered part of his command from Baltimore
and marched the troops to Gettysburg.
The rebels marched with so much celebrity
that they did not encounter any of the forces
of General Wool, and escaped from the State.
| recommend that application be made TO Con-
gress for an appropriation to compensate our
citizens for the damages which they suffered
by the raid.
On the two emergencies to which have re-
ferred, L acknowledge valuable counsel and
assistance from Brigadier General Andrew Por-
ter, of the United States Army, who thus test-
fed his affection for his native State, and zeal
in her service when threatened. And the
same, and other occasions, am indebted to
Colonel Thomas a. Scott, Colonel John A.
Wright, and Colonel j. B. Parker, members of
my staff, who came promptly on my summons
and served with their accustomed zeal and f.
deity, without pecuniary compensation,
The militia law of this State is greatly de-
fective, and l earnestly recommend the ap-
pointment of commission to prepare and
submit efficient system, to be reported be-
fore the adjournment of the Legislature, so
that action may be had on the subject at the
present session. In the hurry of ordinary
business the Legislature might not be able to
give the necessary attention to the prepara-
tiOn of a proper measure, and events which
have already occurred prove the necessity of
some effectual Legislation on the subject, so
that our people may be adequately protected.
The State is in possession of the following
Ordnance, Aims and Ammunition: e3 pieces
of artillery, of which % need REPAIRS bat
teres of new cannon, consisting of II Griffin
rified cannon, 6-pounders, caissons and 2
battery wagons, presented to the State by the
Committee of Safety of Philadelphia, in Sep
tember last ); 1892 muskets and rifles, of
which II GA are ready for issue, 4, 4,460 in the
hands of mechanics for repairs, and the bal
ance, having been used by the militia called
out in September last. require cleaning H.
427 sets OF infantry accoutrements complete
1928 swords and sabres; 684 pistols; 1898
rounds artillery ammunitIon; ,522 00rounds
ammunition for small arms. stz
The following arms, accoutrements and am
munition have been furnished according to
Law to the border counties, and to volunteer !
organization formed under the Militia Act of
1858: 5,e40 muskets and rifles with accoutre-
ments complete were issued to and are now ,