Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-08-17
New Series---Vol. XVIII. No. AZ.

ernor be authorized to form leither by the
acceptance OF volunteers or by draft in such
parts of the State as he may deem expedient)
a special corps Of militia TO consist in due
proportion OF Cavalry, Artillery and Infan-
try to be kept up to the iull number of
fifteen re ments to be styled Minute
Men," WHO shall be sworn aud mustered in
to the service of the State for three years
who shall assemble for drill at such
times aud places as he may direct, who
shall be clothed, armed and equipped by
the State, and paid when assembled for
drill or called into service, and who shall
at all times be liable to be called into
immediate service for the defence of the
State independently of the remainder of
the militia.
AS this force would be subj sot to sudden
calls, the larger part of it should be organ.
ized in the counties lying on our extreme
border, and as the people of these counties
have more personal interest in their pro-
lection, the recommendation is made to
authorize the Governor to designate the
parts of the State in which it should be
raised and save the time and expense of
transporting troops from remote parts Of
the State and the subsistency and pay in
going to and from the border.
4 body Of men so organized, will, it is
believed, be effective to prevent raids aud
incursions. The expenses OF clothing, arm
ing and equipping such force cannot be
correctly ascertained, but the Quartermast-
er General has been directed to make ap-
proximate estimates for your information,
will Be independent OF pay and subsistence.
The State should provide at least six
four gun batteries of field artillery with all
he modern improvements.
The suggestion has been frequently
made by unrefiecting persons that the State
sholld raise force aud keep it permanent
ly in the field for her defence Apart
from other considerations, it is to be OBJ
served that the expenses Of such meas
ure would be quite beyond the present
ability of the State.
To raise and maintain an army of fif-
teen regiments would involve an annual
expenditure of more than fifteen million
of dollars, and any smaller force would be
proposed would, | think, give to the State
sufficient protection, and, if the Legisla-
tnre should think fit to adopt it, the ex.
pense can be readily provided for by loan
| or otherwise.
Having an organized force under the
control of the authorities of the State, and
mustered into service for domestic protec-
tion, we would not, as heretofore, lose time
in arranging for TRANSFORMATIONS and sup
| plies with the National Government, when
it becomes necessary to call it into the field.
When thoroughly organized, it should be
in all its appointments an army which
could he increased by draft made from our
| enrolled and classified citizens.
The plan which | have above suggested
! is the result of reflection and expert.
ence which I have had during the last
| three years, aud | have felt it to be my
duty to submit it for your consideration.
Of the purpose of providing for the effec-
tual defence of the St, te, of course can
not doubt your approval. If the Legisla-
ture should prefer the adoption of any
| other plan more efficient, and economical,
than the one which | have herein propos
ed, it will give me pleasure to CO operate
heartily in carrying it into effect.
! In accordance with the act of May T.,
1864, | have appointed tor the Eastern
| Armies Col K. Jordan as Agent at Wash
ington, and Lieut. Col. james Gilliland as
Assistant Agent at that place; aud also for
the Southwestern Armies Lieut.. Col JAS.
Chamberlin as Agent at Sas hville. These
Agents are now actively engaged in the
performance of their duties, and it is de-
sirabIe that our people should be aware
that part of them consists in the gratuit.
Gus collection of all claims by Pennsylva.
MIA volunteers or their legal representa-.
tives in the State and National Govern.
ments Volunteers having claims on eth.
er of these governments can have them
collected through these agents without ex-
pense, and thus be rescued from the extor-
tions to which it is feared they have some
times heretofore subjected. Having re-
ceived information from the agents of the
State that our sick and wounded were suf
fering greatly from the want of comforts
and even necessaries, l have been recently
compelled to call on the people to contrib.
ute supplies mainly in kind for their relief,
and it gives ne pleasure to say that this
appeal has been cheerfuly responded to,
as have been all my former appeals to the
same end.
1t seems impossible to exhaust the lib.
eralities of our generous people when the
we'll being of our brave volunteers is In
question. In my special message Of Both
April last. stated the circumstances at.
tending the advance by banks and other
corporations, of funds for the payment of
the militia called out in 1868. La consa-
quence the Legislature passed the act Of