Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-17

organized, its existence would be a pro.
lection and give confidence.
lam informed that the general sen.i-
ment OF the people in question is in favor
OF something being done at once, and AS n
military measure, think it will be of es-
sential service to the General Government.
and recommend that the War Department
encourage the movement by authorizing
the loan rissue OF uniforms, provided the
law in question is enacted
1t is believed That the new militia Law,
aae Si th' stese ,H Raa RR5aGr ii Enrolment viii
probably be made.
l am sir, very respectfully, your obedi-
ent servant, CSigned,)
D. N. COUCH
Maj. GensComd'g Dept.
liEADouAsrERs, DEPT susQUEHASSA,
Harrisburg, August 4th, 1864.
true copy respectfully furnished for
the information Of his Excellency, Cover
nor A. G. Curtin.
'JNO. s. SCHULTZE,
Asst Adj't General.
On the same day approved in writing
OF the proposition, and expressed my opin-
ion that the Legislature would pass an act
in accordance with it Mt its adjourned
session on the 23d of August. j am fur
nished with an official copy of the follow
ing reply, dated August |, 1861, TO the
proposition Of Gen. Couch:
Copy.
WAR DEP'T, ADJ'T GENHRAL's OFFICE, J
Washington, d. c., Aug. |, 1851.
.uGj. Gen. d. N, Couch, Cqmmaaaiag &C..
Harrisburg, Ia.
GoHeral: | have tho honor to acllnowl-
edge the receipt Of your letter of the 22nd
OF July, relative to the United States pro-
viding uniforms for q Special Corps 4" of
militia from certain border counties of
Pennsylvania.
In reply, an directed to inform vou
that the subject has been carefully consid-
cred by the Secretary of War, who cannot
sanction the issue ofclothing in question.
/ am, General, very respectfully, your
obedient servant. Signed
TllOS. NJ. VINCENT,
Asst Adj't General.
HEADQrRTERs, DEPT SUsQuEnANNA,
Harrisburg, August 9th, 1864
A true copy respectfully furnished for
the information Of his Excelency, Cover
nor A. G. Curtin.
JNO. S. SCuuLTZE.
Asst Adj't Gen.
In each Of the three years, 1862, 1863
call the State militia for the defeucG of
the State, and this has been done with the
assent and assistance Of the General Gov
eminent. From the want of organization
we nave been obliged 10 rely exclusively
on the volunteer militia, and with few eX-
captions TO organize them anew for each
occasion. This has caused confusion and
a loss OF valuable time, and has resulted
in sending to the field bodies of men in a
great measure undiscipined. The militia
bill pas ed at The last session is l think
for ordinary times the best bill We ever
had but under the existing extraordina-
ry circumstances, it seems TO require mod
itcations. | suggest that the assessors TO
directed to make an mmdate enrolment,
classifying the militia as may be thought
best that the officers be appointed by the
Governor, on the recommendation, ap-
proved by him, ofa board of examination,
composed of three Major Generals for
each division, of whom the Major General
Of the division shall be one, the other two
to be designated by the Governor, from
adjoining divisions, or in such other mode
as the Legislature may think fit that in
all cases the officers shall be selected by
preference from officers and men who
have been in service, and shall have been
honorably discharged by the UnitedStates,
and that effectual provision be made for
drafting tho militia when required. The
recommendation in regard to appoint
ments is made to avoid the angry dissen-
'tions, and, too often, political jealouses
which divide military organizations by the
election of officers, and to secure the ser
vices of the most deserving and competent
men.
The election OF officers in the volunteer
forces in the field has beer found to be in
furious to the service, while promotions
by seniority, and appointments of merito-
rious privates, has produced harmony and
stimulated to faithfulness. In the enlist
ment of new organizations the plan adop-
ted of granting authority to officers TO re-
oruit companies has been found to be the
best policy. | also recommend that the
Governor be authorized to form (either by
the acceptance of volunteers or by draft
in such parts of the State as he may deem
expedient) special corps Of militia to
consist in due proportion Of cavalry, ar
tillery and infantry, to be kept up to the
full number of fifteen regiments, to be
styled Minute Men," who shall be sworn
and mustered into theservce of the State
for three years who shall assemble for
drill at such times and places as he may
direct, who shall be clothed, armed and
equipped by the State, and paid when as
sembled for drill or called into service, and
who shall at all times be liable to be call
ed into immediate service for the defence
of the State, independent of The remain
der of the militia.
As this force would be subject to sudden
calls, the larger part Of it should be organ
lied in the counties lying on our extreme
border, and as the people of these coun-
ties have moie Personal interest in their
protection, the recommendation is made
to authorize the Governor to designate the
parts Of the State in which it should DO
raised and to save the time and expense
of transporting troops from remote parts
of the State and the subsistence anu pay
in going TO and from the border.