Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-22

QUired Wisconsin TO furnish its mum Ger.
Laws are made to be executed, not to be
avoided and dlsregarded. l have simply
done my duty to the best of my ability,
leaving it to the candid Judgment OF the
people to uphold me in its execution
against the aspersions Of those who, hav-
ing first discouraged voluntary enlistments,
claim that | am responsible for the hard
ships arising, in many instances, from this
conscriptioD.
Including the regiments yet in the State,
Wisconsin has furnished to the United
States Government, during the present
war, one regiment of infantry for three
months, (8lO men, thirty-three regiments
of infantry, three regiments of cavalry,
thirteen batteries of artillery, one company
of cavalry, and one company of sharp
shooters, enlisted for three years or dur
ing the war, total 39,5l1
Recruits for old regiments 2,l55
Drafted militia in camps, 795
Militia not yet reported, including
those considered as deserters,
and those to be drafted in Mani
towoc county, 2,279
Aggregate, 1910
Our quota under all the calls, giving Us
credit for the excess furnished before the
call Of July Cd, is 44,66l, showing that,
in order to fill our quota, the State will
have to furnish, yet 921 men, which
should be by enlistments for old regi
ments, which it is hoped will be furnished
in that way. 1t is, however, proper to
mention that the enrolment made by the
sheriffs shows that we have furnished
Al ,529 men, which, in addition to the re-
suits of the draft, would be ABB more than
our quota. This discrepancy arises to
some extent, undoubtedly, from repeti-
tons of names on the sheriff. enrolment;
but it is also not unlikely that our regi-
ments in the field have failed to make
complete returns to the Adjutant Gener.
ais office of the number of new recruits
they have received, and that the deicien-
cy is actually much less than above stated.
Considering the large number Of foreigners
in our State not liable to military duty,
Wisconsin has certainly done its tull share
of furnishing troops in this war, although
it may yet be short few hundred men.
As appears from reports made to the
Adjutant Generals office, the total loss of
our troops in the field by deaths, dis
charges, and desertions, was on the first of
December, 1875; the largest part of this
loss arises undoubtedly, from discharges
and desertions. The report of the Adjl
tant General will furnish you particular
Information on these and other points in
connection with our military affairs.
In the organization Of new regiments |
adopted the plan of promoting merltorlous
and experienced officers of older regi-
ments, thus rewarding merit and giving
the new regi ments experienced field Off
GERS. L regret that by peremptory order
of the war department, which with many
other Governors in vain demonstrated
against, refusing to dis charge officers in the
field for the purpose of accepting promo,
ton in new regiments, has prevented Inc
from continuing this practice with the la
ter regiments, thus making it necessary to
place inexperienced men in command of
the new troops. | also adopted the plan
OF promoting merltOrious non commission
ed officers and privates of old regiments
by giving them positions as commissioned
officers in companies OF new regiments
Much to my regret an order from the war
department prevented the carrying of this
practice into the drafted militia, on the
ground that the time of service being diff |
teient, men from the volunteer regiments |
could not be discharged to accept CON-
missions in 9 months regiment
Being well convinced that the pro
motions in both cases would not
seriously interfere with the organiza-
ton of the old regiments from which
these meritorious men are to be taken, |
tn1l hnEx -,
alize the President of the United States,
requesting him to change those orders,
having tailed to convince the government
of the propriety OF such change.
| would also recommend that you Law
the claims of promotion of our brave and
gallant commanders of regiments before
the President. | have repeatedly ad-
dressed him upon tue subject, urging the
promotion of some of our meritotioUs
coloneIs. While it is true that promotion
in the field should be made for merit and
capacity, it is also true that tie bravery
Of Wisconsin troops is well and universally
known and acknowledged, and that she
has sent as able colonies and officers to
the field as have gone from other states,
and their claims to promotion should
therefore be recogn zed.
Wisconsin has reason to be proud of her
noble sons. She has stood firmly and IN
waveringly by the flag of the Union. The
bravery of her troops is not e1celled by
any other State. The "Iron Brigade
has secured distinguished place in the
history of this war East, West and
South, upon many of the bloody fields OF
battle, have Wisconsin's brave sous won
for themselves the name of heroes. True
and Unt1inchingly have they fought for he
Union and looked death in the face in
different forms; without muir
muir have they fallen shattered and mapgled
upon the colo and CORY field; without
murmur have they borne the priyations ill.,
cident to soldiers life; many, alas have
have fingered and died in hospital vainly
longing TO breathe their last breath in the
air of their adopted State. Many fire
side has been made desolate the orphan
children, the widowed mothers, the mourn
ing fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters
who can count them ? Let Us not forget
those who have died for our country's, tor
our sake; let Us remember these who
bravely uphold the honor and reputation
of our State, ready to die if need be. Let
US give them the tribute which is due
them from q grateful State! | recon-
mend that a resolution be adopted
by you embodying your sentiments
on this subject, and that provision be
made to retain in the archives of the State
a true record of the part Wisconsin
loyal sons have taken in the suppression
of this great and abhorred rebellion.
ORGANIZATION OF MILITIA.