Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-17
CLEARFIELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, AUG. II, 1864

RI, - N'"uo ior tuelr payment, il
WI! Dc necessary ,fkPald you approve my
purpose. 49,
Feeling it 10 besthe duty os,he General
Government TO afford full fs6tec.ion tc
the people of Pennsy lvania and MARYLAND
10y the defence of the line of the Potomac
| united with Governor Bradford in the
following letter to the President, dated
July 2lst, A. D. 1864:
STATE OF MARYLAND, Executive DEPT, 7
ANNAPOLIS, July 81. 1864.
His nronl ln-",-, -.L, anam Lincoln, Hesl-
dent of the United States;
SIR: The repeated raids across the Po-
tomac river made by portions of the rebel
army, and the extent of the damage they
nave succeeded so frequently in inhcting,
have most injuriously affected the people
OF Maryland and Pennsylvania, in the
neighborhood of that river, and uany of
them, 1t is believed, as the only security
against such losses in the future, are seri-
ousl y considering the proprieiy Of aban-
doning their present homes and seeking
safety at the North.
lt'seems to Us that not merely in this
sectional view of the case, but in its ma
tional relations, the security of this bor-
der line between the loyal and rebellious
states IS an object justiiying and requir-
ing a disposition Of o portion OF the ma
tlonal force with an esrecial view to it's
defence. The Potomac river can only be
crossed in its ordinary state of water at
some five or six tords, and we prorose 10
enlist from our respective States q yolun-
teer force that shall be sufficient, with the
aid of the Notifications, which the force
itself can speedily construct, to etTectual-
ly guard them all
We ask the Government that the re-
crults SO raised shall be credited to the
quotas of ous several States on the cal
last made, and be armed, equipped and
supplied as other volunteers ia the SER
vice.
We are aware that as a general rule well
founded objections exist to the enlistment
OF force to be exclusively used for home
or local defence, but we regard such a SER
wee as we now suggest as an exceptional
case, and the complete protection of this
part of our frontier rs Of admitted nation
al Importance.
Soon after the outbreak Of this rebellion
the Importance Of special defence of the
region bordering on the upper Potomcc
was recognized by the Government, and
the Hon. Francis Thomas, of Maryland.
ments with view to tie protection if;5l lion of the
counties on either side of that river
These regiments were raised, but the sub.
sequent exigencies Of the service required
their employment elsewhere, and they
therefore afford at present no particular
security to that region beyond other troops
in the service.
The necessity we think, for some such
peculiar provision has now become so OBJ
vious that we would, with great respect,
but most earnestly urge upon your Ex-
cellency, the expediency of acceeding to
the uggeslions we have made, and we
will i'hmedately set about raising the for.
ces required, and we have no doubt they
will be promptly procured.
We have the honor to be with great res
pect, your obedieht servants.
(Signed) A. W. BRADFORD,
A. G. CURTIN.
The following letter from the Assistant
AdJutant General, dated August lst, A. D.,
is the only reply received by me up to
this time:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, D. c., August lst, 1861.
His EXcellency, the Governor of Pennsyl-
yania, Harrisburg Penn'a:
SIR; have the honor to acknowledge,
the receipt of the joint letter from your
self and the Governor of Maryland, dated
July 81, 1864, asking authority to raise a
volunteer force in your respective States,
to be exclusively used for home or local
defence, aud for guarding the fords of the
Potomac.
In reply, am directed by the Secreta-
ry of War to inform you that the PROPOSE
ton has been fully considered, and that
the authority asked for cannot be granted.
in this connection please see the act OF
Congress, approved February l3, 1862, as
promulgated in General Orders No. 10,
series Of 1862, from this Office.
have the honor to remain, sir, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
(SignedD THOMAS NJ. VINCENT,
Assistant Adjutant General
Men, Similar letter sent His Erceilency
tie Governor Of Maryland this date.
How the reason given for the refusal tc
act on this proposition, can be made con
sistent with the enlistment of men for one
hundred days, to serve in Pennsylvania
Maryland and at Washington, and vicin
/ ty, it is hard to perceive.
On this suggestion made by citizens oI
the border counties, the following com
munication dated Odd July, 1864, was
made by Major General Couch TO the Sec
retary Of War:
HEADQUARTERS, DEP'T SusQUEHANNA,
Harrisburg, Pa, July %, 1864.
Hon. Ed,om u. Stanton, Secretary Of War.
SIR:-During the recent raid into Ma
ryland, the citizens of Chambersburg turn
ed out with the determination to stand by
! the few soldiers present, and hold the town
against any cavalry force tina. might as.
I sault it. 500 citizens of York, irrespect-
/ i've OF party, volunteered, were armed, and
went down to the Northern Central rail
road to guard the bridges or hold their
town. This is stated in order 10 show you
that the "border citizens" are beginning
TO realize that by united action they have
the strength to protect themselves against
an ordinary raiding party. Enclosed, |