The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-16
yflistellaleous.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemsn of tie Senate

and H0Use ot HepTeeWot'te''
TIL, po,itical year which has just closed,
and tbe one on which We have entered, will
be recorded as the most important and criu-
cal i'm the history Of this State and Naaon'
A war of gigantic proportions has been rag
in, for a period OF twenty-one months, WITH
VARYING fortune, with combatants constantly
increasing in number, and with stake a. Is
sue whose decision may affect Tor weai OF
woe. not only ourselves and the unborn gen,
erations of our people, but popular nghts ana
free institutions throughout Chris,endom'
THE soLpIEus AND SAILORS FURNISHED nr
THE STATE.
In, contest Of such magnitude, involving
.,ch momeutous results, our own State has
~..,;.;n,,ad N the full extent demanded by
her patriotism and her duty. From the nour
,hs, ,roops were first summoned by the Fed.
eral Executive for the defence OF the natlohh
I;s. down 20 the prcsent moment. our State
has been realously engaged in filling the
ranks of the Union Army. Within the entire
ner;od we have enlisted and sent to the heia
twen,y.eicht Regiments OF Infantry, one
Regiment of Cavalry, six Batteries OF Lisht
Artillery. and one Company Of Sharpshoo'ers'
besides furnishing four companies OF Heavy
ArtllleytstS 70 ulHu
forts on our extended seaboard. lhese sew
eral Regiments and companies, including the
recruits that have been raised for them since
thew entered upon active service, present an
aggregate of 33,l37 men as Names direct
contribution In defence Of the Union. In au-
di,;on 10 this large body oS volunteers, our
citizens have enlisted in the Regiments oil
other States and in the Regular Army TO the
number Of 29i7 men. accurately estimated
from the returns made BY towns in answering
the demands made upon them under the ia'e
calls of the President for troops. ,
The total quota of troops demanded oi
Maine up 10 this time by the War Depart
ment, amounts TO something less than the
number we have actually furnished. Inc
pa,rio,ism OF our State has even surpassed the
demands which the national exigeney has
made upon IL. We have not only sent all
the men asked of US, but We have sent good
men and brave men. In contest where all
tho loyal States have responded so nooly, u
would be invidious and indeed positively OIL
fensiye for one to arrogate peculiar and sape-
r;or merit. We only claim with others 10
have done our part, and we recur with un-
disrui.ed pride 10 the fact that on every Dat.
tie field where Maine troops have been called
20 participate, they have acquitted themselves
with yalor and with honor-moking record
of pa,rio,ic heroism which IL will be alike the
pride aud duty Of the State to cherish ana
perpeiuatc. a., y.;. ,.s
furnished 10 the army of Volunteers, we have
contributed 10 the Naval and Marine service
more lat,ly in proportion To our population
,h., a,v other State. The habits and occu'
,,.,,o, Of a considerable number OF our people
a, them pre-. eminently for this service ana u
:. gratifying to know that our shipping ports
and coast, towns have sent forth swarms OF
hardv and well.trained seamcn TO maintain
th, honor Of our asg upon the ocean, ~ u
,,.,,lv To be regretted that the mode oi en-
i;s,nsn, in the Navy Department does not
...r,a,ely. IL at all, exhibit the nativity and
citizenship of those who enter Its service III
!, Ala we should find, according 10 our best
estimates. the names Of at least four thousand
Maine men enrolled in the Regular and Vol
un,eer Navy since the war commenced For
this large contribution the State has received
no credit in any Of the calls for volunteers Tor
the army, and the result has been that IN our
mars,ime towns the calls for troops has ofer-
ated with peculiar hardship, though in al
mo.t every instance IL has been responded 20
with the most patriotic readiness. Should the
yicissitudcs OF war necessitate further call
for troops, IL rs respectfully suggested that in
appor,ioning the quotas OF the various States.
an allowance should be made to Maine for
m, number Of men she has contributed to
tho Naval service.
ys,v full and satisfactory details Of all tha,
relates to our troops, the mode OF their enlist.
,nent. their numbers. their condition and
their achievements. viii be furnished in the
f,r,hcominy Report Of the Adju'ant General.
Among the most gratifying facts exhibited Is,
that the immense host which has gone from
Maine, amounting in the aggregate Tor all
.h,a,ehes of the service. to t0,0Si men, Is ht-
orally an army OF volunteers. The men have
b.cn raised without resor,ing. in any appree'-
able degree. to the draft. Indeed IL may be
aid With truth that every soldier from Maine
\, a volunteer, for in few towns where
drsft was ordered, a bounty was given to
those Who wero selected with which to pro-
cure substitutes, II they we're reluctant 10 en-
tar the service. The fact that our quotas