Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-18

lief Similar charity bias been heretofore exercised IN the
Of accidental and destructive fire at Pittrburg aud
caunot doubt the disposition of the Legislature on the
present occasion.
On the 5h day Of this month large rebel army was in
Maryland and at various points the Potomac far west
New Creek and as there adequate force within
the State | deemed it my duty that day to call for
thirty Thousand volunteer militia for domestic protection
They will be armed, transported and supplied by the
United States but provision is made Tor their pay
ment it will be necessary should you approve my action
to make an appropriation for that purpose,
Feeling it To be the duty of the General Government to
afford full protection to the people of Pennsylvania and
Marylan by the defence Of the line OF the Potomac
united with Gov Bradford il the following letter to the
President, dated July 2lst, A, ID, 1864:
STATE or MARYLAND,
E1ecutioe Department, annapolis, july 81, 1864.
His Exceleney ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States.
SIR The repeated raids the Potomac river, made
by portions of the rebel and the extent OF the damage
they have succeeded frequently III uhctng, have most
inJunonsy affected the people OF Maryland and Pennsyva
in the peghborhood of that river and many of them it
is believed the only security against such losses in the
future are seriously considering the propre OF abandoning
their present homes and seeking safety at the North
1t that merely 10 this sectional view of the
case but in ts national relations the security of this hor
der line between the loyal AID rebellion States Is an
justityng and requ ing disposition OF portion OF the ma
tona force with especial view It's defence The Poo
river only be crossed in it's ordinary state of water
five six fords, and propose 70 enlist from
respective States volunteer force that shall sufficient
with the aid OF the forhcaons hch the torcs Itself
speedily construct to eflectualIy guard them all.
We ask the Govenmsr that the recruits raised shall
be credited the quotas Of States the call last
mace and be armed equppe and supplied other volun-
eers III the service.
We aware that as general rule well founded obec
ous exist The enlistment force be exclusively led
for home or local defence but we regard such service
we suggest exceptional and the complete
protection OF this part OF our frontier as OF admitted national
importance.
Soon after the outbreak this rebellion the Importance of
special defence OF the region bordering the Upper Poto
Ei oogniseS py rns uosernue' h .p 20 ;
three regiments til view the protection of the countes
oa either SIDE OF That river These regiments were Iased
n
employment elsewhere and they therefore afford at present
no part enr security TO that region beond other troops IN
The necessity, think peculiar prov sion haa
now be- ONE Obvious that would with great respect
dency of accedng the suggestions have made and
will immediately about rrug the forces required and
we have no doubt they will be promptly procured
dent servants A. W. BRADFORD,
A. G. CURTIN.
The following letter from the Assistant Adjutant Gene.
sal, dated August ls A ID. 1864 is the only reply 70
celved by up to this time
WAR DEPARTMENT,
4djutant Generals Office
Wgshing0n ID. august l. 1860
His Tx the Governor Of pennsy vania Harrisburg Pa
SIR; have the honor to acknowledge the receipt Of the
dated uy 2lst 1861 asking authority volunteer
force IN yonr respective States be exclusively used for
Potomac
Inrepy am directed by the Secretary Of War inform
you that the proposition has been fully considered and that
the authority "a ed for cannot be g'ant,d
m hs connexion please the Of Congress approved
February IL 1856 as promulgte lin General Orders No ID
series OF 1862 from this office
have the honor to remain sr, very especially, your
obedient servant, THOMAS NJ VINCENT,
Assistant AID iutant General.
MEM-siml.r letter sent his Excecncy the Governor Of
M r. land ,his date
How the given for the refusal to act on this pro
position can 6e made consistent with the enlistment
men for one hundred days, to in Pennsylvania
Maryland and at Washington and vicinity it is hard tc
perceive
On this suggestion, made by citizen, Of the border
ties, the following standardization dated Odd July 1864
made by Major Gen Couch to the Secretary Of War
HEADaUARTERs DEPARTMENT SUsoUEHANNs,
Harrisburg (Pa.) July %, 1864
Hon. EDWIN NJ. STANTON Secretary Of War.
SIR During the aid into Maryand the citizens OF
Chambersburg turned with determination stand by
the few soldiers present and hold the against any
airy force that might assault it. Five hundred citizens
York irrespective Of party, volunteered armed and
vent down to the Northern entral railroad guard The
bridges hol their This is stated in order
YOU that the border citizens beginning realize that
by united action they have the protect themselv
az inst ordinary rsidng party Enclosed invite your
attention to letter addressed TO The Governor. together
with his endo upon the subject Of forming special
corps from the six border cou ties most exposed III
thousand thus be organized existence would
| a protection and give confidence.
inf rmed that general sentiment Of the people in
question something being done at once and az
military measure think II will be of essential service the
General Govern men and that the War Depart.
ant encourage the movement by authorizing the loan
i.r - forms, provided the law 10 question is enacted
Ii; hsliavsd thai 80 new militia law Of this State will
| practically prove OF no value, e. 80 . ~ = -
| viii probably be made.
m, .ir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
| d. N. Couch,
Msjo. General Comma, ding Department
On the same day approved in writing Of the proposl.
ton and expressed ny opinion that the Legislature woud
psss ia accordance with it at s adjourned session
on the 23i Of August. / furnished with official
copy Of the following reply dated August lc69, the
proposition Of Gen. Couch:
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJT GENERAL's OFFICE,
/ Washington, ID & 1uguSt |, 1864.
Mi Gen ID. N. CoUGH, Commanding &c Harri burg, Pa
GENERAL: have the honor 10 ~ vledge ths ipt
p DIVIDING uoforms for Special Corps" Of militia from
| cerain border counties If Pennsylvania
In reply directed TO inform You that the subject has
been fully considered by the Secretary Of War who
sanction II issue of The clothing in question
am, General, very respectfully, yon obedi servant
i THos M. VINcEHT,
| Assistant Adjutant General
been found necessary 10 call the state militia for the de-
fence Of the Stat and this ha. been done The
aud assistance Of the General Government From tue
want Of organization have been obliged to rely exclu
svrly the volunteer militia, aud with few exceptions IL
organize them for each occasion This has used
Confusion and logs ~ valuable Time and has ut in
sending t. the field bodies Of ia great I'M
disciplined.
The Governor thea proceeds to recommend the organ-
ziton of military force to be kept und the control Of
the authorities u the Stale 10 order to ensure it's efficient
protection This force be suggests should be put up to
the standard Of fifteen regiments to be obtsined by youn
teerng BY draft aud to be mustered into the service Of
the State for three years lie proposes that they be-
armed aud equipped at the # the State aud paid