The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-01-16
BEDFORD, Pa. FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY le, 1868

land ana OF tn3 NOinHlttIlOer ol INC ATLuy ot
the Potomac were. rendered to our patriotic
troops through me. Measures have been taken
to procure the payment in full of these troops,
and of the expenses 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
accompanied this force to Hagerstown, | ain
enabled 10 speak OF the courage, fidelity and
cheerfulness with which the men suffered unac-
customed priyations and bore the fire OF the
rebel force; performing with alacrity all the SER
vice that was required Of them.
| On the 18th of August last a draft Of 100000
militia, to serve for nine months, was ordered
by the President under the act OF Congress OF
| l7tb July. 1862, and regulations were made by
his authority in pursuance OF that act, under
which regulations the enrolment and draft were
conducted in this State, our militia laws being
/ found 20 be detective Several counties and
districts having already supplied By volunteers
| their proportion of the quota OF this State, We're
/ exempted frola the draft, and time was given TO
| enable others to raise the required number Of
men BIZ voluntary enistments The draft was
4,44yolly proceeded with throughout the State
on t}o 10Th Of 0ctoJor last, and the drafted
men were directed to be placed in the several
camp Of rendezvous astAbll-aed qnler The Tegg-
| lations, where they were organized and elected
their officers, and have since gone forward to
/ the army in the field, The draft was eninently
successful, and when the men had been marched
to the rendezvous, my agency in the matter
ceased, and all authority and control over the
men devolved on the United States officers |
cannot but commend the people of Pennsylva-
| MIA for their cheerful obedience to the reqnire-
ments of the Government on this occasion. All
the expenses of the draft are, of course, to be
paid by the u. States, and | learn that officers
are now in the State charged with the settle
ments and payments.
Including the three months volunteers, Penn
| sylyania has furnished to the General Govern
ment more than 100000 men since tho break
ing out of the rebellion, besides some $4,000
who were in service, or actually ready for it
as volunteer militia under the call of tn Sept.
last, making in the whole more than 250,000
men.
In October last, body of rebel cavalry with
a battery of artillery, suddenly crossed the Po-
| tomac and made their way as far as Chambers
burg, plundering what they found of Supplies
useful to them and committing other depreda
| tions. They went out of the State by crossing
| the South Mountain, and thus reaching the Po-
tomac below Harper's Ferry. The troops in
the field were 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. Linme-
diately after I received notice that this force
| I Al 80 al. CL,Al T Ill ;,,t,,
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 Chambers
| burg and South Mountain The cavalry at
Camp Curtin, consisting of one full and two i'm
perfect regiments, were armed rs infa ntry, and
together with two companies Of infantry and u
battery of volunteer light artillery Of Harris
burg were held in readiness TO 60 forward, when
Major General Wool arrived and assumed the
command of all the forces. He had previous
" 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 IN appropriation to compensate our
citizens for the damages which they sufferodby
the raid.
| On the two emergencies to which | have re-
fened, / acknowledged valuable counsel and
assistance from Brigadior General Andrew Por
ter, of the United States Army, who thus tcsli
fled his affection for his native State, and zeal
in her service when threatened And on the
same occasions,I am indebted TO Colonel Thorn
/ ~ = ALL N,1p
el j. b. Parker, members Of my Staff, who
came promptly on my Summons and served with
their accustomed zeal and fidelity, without pc
cuniary compensatlon
The militia law of this State Is greatly deec-
tive, and / earnestly Recommend the appoint
ment of commission to prepare and submit
an efficient system, to be reported before the
adjournment of the Legislature. so that action
may be had on the subject at the present sission.
In the hurry Of ordinary business the Legisla-
ture might not be able to give the necessary
attention to the preparation OF proper meas
ure, and events which have already occurred
prove the necessity Of some eBectual Legislation
on the subject, so that our people may be ade-
quately protected.
The State is in possession Of the following
Ordnance, Arms and Ammunition:
63 pieces of artillery, of'which p need re-
pairs. batteries of new cannon, consisting of
12Griffiu rfed cannon, 6 Founders, 2 caissons
and battery wagons, presented to the State by
the Committee of Safety Of Philadelphia, in
September last
26,492 muslets and rifles, of which 1,6l4
are ready for issue 4,460 in the hands of me-
chanics for repairs, and the balance, having
been used by the militia called out in Septem-
bcr last, require cleaning.
12,497 setts infantry accoutrements cons
plete.
1928 swords and sabres, 6Sl pistols 1898
rounds artillery ammunition.
1852, ,000rounds ammunition for small arms.
The following arms, accoutremcnts and ann