The Portland daily press., 1863-07-17
COMMUNICATIONS.

AlotStas Ouil ADs lopo-
TO the Editor of The Press.
Since the organization of artillery eompa-
nies for the defense of our coast was announced
many localities have patriotically core for
ward and rendered the services OF individuals
and companies to the State for this work.
Governor Coburn however, has not yet re-
ceiyed instructions as TO how many men will
be required nor where they will be stationed,
and he is powerless to act until he receives
definite orders from Washington. The follow
ing letter win more fully explain the position
in which he is placed as well as show what the
government authorities contemplate doing in
this respect:
WARDEPARTMENT,W WASHINGTON CITY,
July Z, 1868.
GOVERNOR:
The committee from your State, consisting
of the Honorable Vice President and Sena-
tors Fessenden and Morrill,, have laid before
this Department their views in relation to the
Coast Delenses of the State Of Maine and it
will be the pleasure of the Department to co
operate with you in placing your State in as
complete a condition of defense as the exigen-
cies Of the service will admit, and to exert ior
that purpose all the means in the power of
the government. The defenses required are
of two classes: first, those of permanent ma
ture; and second, temporary defenses, to
guard against any sudden or threatened dan
ger. The permanent dcfcnses are being
pushed forward, as l am informed by the re-
spectiye Departments, as vigorously as the
state OF the appropriations and the means at
hand will admit. Temporary defenses will be
thrown up, and batteries established at suita-
BILE points, which will afford considerable Sc
curity. To that end, the Engineer Depart
ment will be directed TO detail competent
officer to select the proper positions, and pre-
scribe the armament that will be required for
their use. The demand for artillery in the
field, and other points of threatened danger,
renders it impossible for the government to
provide as literally for the armament as under
other circumstances would be deemed expedi-
ent; but the resources at command will be de-
voted freely to that purpose
In respect to manning both permanent and
temporary defenses,y you are aware that from the
established forces of the government il would
be difficult, If not impossible, to make any
withdrawal, but the exigency may be amply
supplied by enlistments for the special service.
i am apprized by your committee that they
apprehend no difficulty in being able to enlist
for the special purpose of manning the defen-
ses within your State the requisite number of
artillery companies, to whom after suitable in
structon, the works may be safely intrusted.
For that purpose you will be authorized to
make enlistments as fast as the designated
works may require. Instructions will be Civ
en- Immediately to the proper officers of the
. Department, TO prescribe the amount OF force,
and the nature of its organization adapted to
that purpose, and with the efficient aid which
the government has always received from
your State, doubt not that full security will
be obtained for the immense interests public
and private, which would otherwise be ex-
posed.
1t is expected that valuable service will be
rendered for local security by the organization
of the Invalid Corps, which consists of expert
Hnfytn "A IL
at home and unfit for the exposure and hard
ships attendant upon a general campaign
There must be in your State very consider
able portion of officers and soldiers qualified
for service in that corps, and who, upon their
organization, will contribute much TO the local
defense.
Z 1t will be the pleasure OF the Department at
all times TO confer with you upon this subject,
and to cooperate in any measure which in the
Judgment OF the local authorities may be
deemed essential to the public good in the
particulars above mentioned.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
His Excellency ABNER CoBuRN,
Governor OF Maine.
Drafting for this District commenced at
headquarters yesterday morning at o'clock.
and Will be continued from day to day until
completed. The proceedings passed off har-
moniously and with good order, which was
only broken by cheers when some well known
name was drawn out. Hon. James G.. Blaine
and City Marshal Libby were among the
drafted from this city. Both win make good
soldiers with little drill and experience
Efforts have been made and the authority
oi ,t tne War Department asked to have Captain
Wiliiam ). Dodge, Commssary of Subsistence,
srl'iohed IN tins State, but as his resignation
an
i'iiS w 'ne ground. Yours truly,
HELIos.