Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-01-16
Governors Message.
Gentlemen of the Senate

Gentlemen of the Senate
and House Of Representatives. -
The political year which has just closed,
and the one on which We have entered,
will be recorded as the most important
and critical in the history of the State
and nation. A war of gigantic proper
tions has been raging for a period of
twenty-one months, with varying fortune,
with combatants constantly increasing in
number, and with stake at issue whose
decision may affect for veal or woe, not
only ourselves and the unborn generations
of our people, but popular rights and free
institutions throughout Christendom.
In contest of such magnitude, in
yolying such momcntous results, our own
State has participated by the full extent
demanded by her patriotism and her duty.
From the hour that troops were first
summoned by the Federal Executive for
the defense of the national life, down to
| the pre>ent moment, our State has been
zeaiousy engaged in filling the ranks of
the Union Army. Within the entire
period we have enlisted and sent to the
field twenty-eight Regiments OF Infantry,
one Regiment of Cavalry, six Batteries
Of Light Artillery, and one Company of
Sharpshooters, besides furnishing four
Companies Of Heavy Artillerists to man
and guard the principal forts on our ex-
teuled seaboards. The several Regi-
ments and Companies including the re.
cruits that have been raised for them since
they entered upon servi,e present an az
gregatc OF SO, l37 men as Names direct
contribution in defense of the Union
Ia additional to this large body of vo!un-
teers, our citizens have enlisted in the
Regiments OF other States and in the
Regular Army so the number of 2,94i
men, accurately estimated from the re-
turns made by towns in answering the
demands made upon them under the late
calls Of the President for troops.
The total quota Of troops demanded
of Maine up to this time by the War
Department amounts to something less
than the number we have actually furn-
ished, The patriotism Of our State has
even surpassed the demands which the na-
tional exigency has made upon it.
We have not only sent all the men asked
of US, but We have sent good men and
brave men. In contest where all the
loyal States have responded so nobly, it
would be invidious and indeed positively
offensive for one to arroglte e3uliar and
superior merit. We only claim with 9TH
ers to have done our part and we recur
with undisguised price to the fact that
Gu every battle field where Maine
troops have been called to participate, they
have acquitted themselves with valor and
with honor-making record Of patrioic
heroism which it will be alike the pride
ard duty Of the State to cherish and per-
petuate.
Il addition to the men which Maine
has furnished to the army of Volunteers,
we have contributed to the Naval and
Marine service more largely in proper
ton to our population than any other
State. The habits and occupation Of a
considerable number of our people fit
them pre-cmincntly for this service, and
it is gratifying to know that our shipping
ports and coast towns have sent forth
swarms of hardy and well trained sea-
men to maintain the honor, of our flag
upon the ocean. 1t is greatly to be re-
gretted that the mode of enlistment in
the Navy Department does not accurately,
if at all, exhibit the nativity and citizen
ship of thoes who enter its service, Ii
i. did, We should find according to our
best estimates, the names of at least four
thousand Maine men enrolled III the Reg
ular and Volunteer Navy since the war
commenced. For this large contribution
the State has received no credit in any
of the calls for volunteers for the army,
and the result has been that in our mar
itme towns the call for troops has operat-
ed with peculiar hardship, though in al
most every instance it has been respond
ed to with the most patriotic readlncss.-
Should the vicissitude of war necessltate
further call for troops, it IS respectfully
suggested that in apportioning the quotas
OF the various States, an allowance should
be made to Maine for the number of men
she has contributed to the Naval service.
Very full and satisfactory details of all
that relates to our troops. the mode OF
their enlistment, their numbers, their con-
dition, and their achievements will be
furnished in the forthcoming Report of
the Adjutant General. Among the most
gratifying facts exhibited is, that the im-
mense host which has gone from Maine,
amounting in the aggregate for all
branches of the service to 40,0S4 men,
is literally an army of volunteers, The
men have been raised without resorting
in any appreciable degree, to the draft
Indeed. it may be said with truth that
every soldier from Maine is volunteer.
for in the towns where draft was order
ed, bounty was given to those who were
selected with which to procure substitutes,
if they were reluctant to enter the SER
vice. The fact that our quotas have
thus been filed, is an hoIorable proof of
the patriotism Of our citizens, aad will