Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-10

Inc collections of the revenue have been
promptly made made; and although in the midst
OF war, ana Notwithstanding The millions Of dol
lars by voluntary contributions aud public an
preparation expended in VARIOUS forms of succor
10 our brave defenders in the field, and of relief
to thelr IdiIltv9 ssv i.~---
moHwealth presents spectacle of strength ami
Slerity usual only in peace, and worthy tie
resources and patriotism of the people of Massa-
ehusetts.
The returns from cities and towns on account
aid furnished TO families of volunteers during the
year 1862, exhibit the amount of about two mil
lions of dollars fol which the municipalities have
a claim to be reimbursed by tie commonwealth
and for which provision will need to be made by
the present general court. This belongs 10
class of public burdens which will be met by the
people with cheerful aacrity.
Interest on the bonds OF the commonwealth
lent to the Eastern railroad company for $780,
600, and to the Norwich and Worcester railroad
company for 100000, became due at the state
treasury the first days of July last and of JAZZ
uary current.
The price of coin to pay this interest July /,
1862, was 10 per cent; January l, 1862, 80 per
cent.
The amount of interest due July |, 1862,
$2l 800, the premium gold 10 per cent; So,
450; the an cunt of interest due January |, 1868,
was $2l 5000, premium on gold 30 per cent So
0S5 Total, $780, 900, at a premium of $40 535.
The payments were made by the treasurer in
coin as required by law, but their reimbursement
IN com demanded by the treasurer, vas leIuScC
by the corporations for whose benefit the credit
O the state was pledged which rep aid those sums
only in United States currency, legally rendered
to the treasurer at loss to the treasury of Sl0,-
535.
RAISING TROOPS IN 1862.
At the close of the year 1861, Massachusetts
had sent to the field 1916 militia for three
months service, and twenty-five regiments and
eight companies of infantry one regiment Of cav
airy, five batteries of light artillery, ard two com
napiaS of SIorp Sbon for fhr.o
years. During the year 1862, 043 militia were
assembled at Boston, lin the month Of May,) on
requistion from the federal government; and
thirty regiments and four companies of Infantry,
three companies of cavalry, five batteries Cflight
artillery, five companies of heavy artillery, and
two companies of militia, (cadets,) were sent in
to federal service. Since the new year another
battery of light artillery has gone to the field of
these, thirteen regiments and three companies OF
infantry, three companies OF cavalry, four batter
les of light artillery, and five companies OF hea-
Wy artillery, were three years volunteers; seven
teen regiments Of infantry and one battery OF
light artillery were mustered for nine months,
and one battery Of light artillery and one compa-
ny OF infantry for six months. OF the two cadet
companies, one remained in federal service fol-
two months and one for five months. There are
now recruiting in the state an additional regiment
of cavalry, three more light artillery batteries
and another company of sharpshooers. Includ-
ing these, Massachusetts has at this time in the
in tao service of the United States titytwo regi-
meats OF infantry, two regiments and three com
palies of cavalry, fourteen batteries of light ar
tillery one regiment and three companies OF hea
Wv artillery, and three companies OF ShArpsnoot
ers which computed at their full strength would
make an aggregate of 60, 900 men. But many OF
these corps are now FAR from full. The rolls o.
some show less than third of the full strength
of duty, such has been the loss by battle and di
sease without a corresponding accession OF re
cruits. During the year 1862, 1000 recruits ap
pear by the statement of the federal Supcrinien
dent of the recruiting service, to have been sem
to the Massachusetts regiments i'll the field; an(
according to an estimate reported to me by tn
adjutant- general, more than 200 were sent il
1861. rms branch of the service has long beer
within exclusive control of federal officers, hay
ing been organized in December, 1861, by an or
der of the way department general superin
tendent of the recruiting service was designate
by the secretary of war, and stationed at Boston
under whose direction recruiting parties sen
back to the state from the corps in the field pur
sue their work and from whom, together wit
the federal staff officers on duty IRE, the fund
are drawn for the federal bounty and advanc
pay, the authorized expenses of recruiting an
the subsistence, equipment and transportatio
of recruits The extent of the power of the stat
government has been to encourage enlis mem
into old corps in preference TO new organic
ton, whenever and however it has had oppo
tunty, by popular appeals, and by personal an
wllIten advice to municipal magistrates It's e2
ertions TO this end would have been more effe
tive had the duties OF this recruiting service ais
been imposed upon it in like manner with Il
original raising of volunteer corps. The line
demarcatiOn drawn by the federal government
well Defined assigning to the state government
the labor Of raising new corps, the recrultme
for which, after they have once been complete
and have passed into federal service, it reserves
itself, and executes through the recruiting ps
ties detailed by regimental commanders, al
acting under the army officers detailed from t
headquarters of the army to superintend
crliting in the states. During the past year
has reserved also the provision of all supplies,
whatever description, pertaining to the staf {