The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-08-18

III tuiS CUuuCCIiOu piodcO oOo GHO nv VI
Congress, approved February 16, 1862,
as promulgated in General Orders No.15,
series of 1861, from this Office.
I have the honor to remain, sir, very
respectfully, your obedieht sevant.
(Signed) THOMAS NJ. VINCENT.
Assistant Adjutant-Gcneral.
Mem.-Similar letter sent to his Excel
lency the Governor of Maryland, this
date.
The reason given for the refusal to act
on this proposition can be made consist
ent with the enlistment of men for one
hundred days, to serve in Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and at Washington and vicin-
ity.
The following communication, dated
22d July, 1864, was made by Major Gen
eral Couch to the Secretary of War -
coPY.]
Headquarters Dept. of Susquehanna,
at Harrisburg, July 22.-Hon. E. M.
Stanton, Secretary of War-Sir:-During
the recent raid into Maryland, the citi-
Gems of Chambersburg turned out with
determination to stand by the few soldiers
present and hold the town against any
cavalry force that might assault it. Five
hundred citizens of York, irrespective of
party, volunteered and were armed, and
went down the Northern Central Railroad
and repaired the bridges
In order to 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, endorsed | invite your at
tention to letter addressed to the Gov
ernor, together with the Endorsement, up
on the subject of forming a special corps
from six border counties most exposed.
If ten thousand men can thus be organ
lied, its existence would be protection
and give confidence. / am informed that
the general sentiment of the people in
question is in favor of something being
done at once and as military measure [
think it will be of essential service to the
General Government, and recommend
that the War Department encourage the
movement by authorizing the loan or is
sue of uniforms, provided the law in ques
tion is enacted
1t is believed that the new militia law
of this State will practically prove of no
value, excepting that an enrolment will
probably be made.
| am, sir, very respectfully your obe-
dient servant, (Signed) ID. n. CoUCH.
Maj Gen. Commanding Department.
Headquarters Department of Susque-
hanna, Harrisburg, August 4. A true
Copy; respectfully furnished for the in
formation of his Excellency, Governor A.
G. Curtin Signed, John s. Schultze, A.
A. 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 at its adjourned
session, on the 23d of August.
am furnished with an official copy of
the following reply, dated August l 1864.
to the proposition of General Couch =
(coPY.)
War Department, Adjutant Generals
Office, Washington, d c., August !, 1864.
Major G General D. NJ. Couch, Comman-
manding, &c., Harrisburg. Pa.-General:
1 have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 22d of July,
relative to the United States providing
uniforms for special corps of militia
from certain border counties of Pennsyl-
vania.
In reply, I am directed to inform you
that the subject has been carefully con-
sidered by the Secretary of War, who
cannot sanction the issue of the clothing
in question.
l am, General, very respectfully; your
obedient servant.
(Signed) THos. NJ. VINCENT, A. A. g..
Headquarters Department of the Sus-
quehanna, Harrisburg, August 6, 1864.
"A true copy. Respectfully furnished
for the information of his Excellency.
Governor A. G.. Curtin. Signed, John 5.
Schultz, A. A. General
In each of the three years, 1862, 1868,
and 1864, it has been found necessary to
call out the State militia for the defense
of the State, and this has been done with
the essent and assistance of the General
Government.
From the want of organization we have
been obliged to rely exclusively on vol
unteer military, and with few exceptions
to organize anew for such occasions.
This has caused confusion and loss of
valuable time, and has resulted in send
ing to the field bodies of men in great
measure undisciplined.
The Militia bill passed at the last ses-
sion is, I think, for ordinary times, the
best militia law we have ever had, but
under the existing extraordinary circum-
stance it seems to require modification.
I suggest that the Assessor be directed
to make an immediate enrolment, classify
ing the militia as may be thought best,
That the officer be appointed by the
Governor, on the recommendation, ap-
proved by him, of Board of Examination,
composed of three MajorGenerals for each
Division, of whom the Major General OF