American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-08-17

militia from certain border counties of
Pennsylvania.
In reply, am directed to inform you
that the subject has been carefully consid-
cred by the Secretary of War, who can
not sanction the issue of the clothing in
question.
lam, General,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed,) THos. NJ. VINCENT
Assistant Adjutant General.
HEADo'Rs Dept OF THE
SUsQUEHANNA,
Harrisburg, august 9Th, 1864.
A true copy respectfully furnished for
the information of His Excellency, Gov.
A. G.. Curtin.
JOHN S. SHULTz,
Assistant Adjutant General.
In each of tho three years, 1859, 1868
and 1864, it has been found necessary to
call the State militia for the defence of
the State, and this has been done with
the assent and assistance of the General
Government. From the want of organi-
zatlon, we have been obliged to rely ex.
elusively on the volunteer militia, and
with few exceptions to organize them anew
for each occasion. This has caused CON
fusion aud loss of valuable time and
has resulted in sending to the field bodies
Of men in great measure uudisciplined.
The militia bill passed at the last session
is | think for ordinary times the best mill
Iin ln,u hn,so l.,I I,,G Al.
existing extraordinary circumstances it
seems to require notifications. Isuggest
that the assessors be directed to make an
immediate enrolment, classifying the
militia as may be thought best; that the
officers be appointed by the Governor, on
the Recommendation, approved by him,
of board Of examination, composed of
three Major Gems. for each division, of
whom the Major General of the division
! shall be one, the other two to be designa-
ted by the Governor, from adjoining di-
visions. or in such other mode as the Leg
islaturo may think fit; that in all cases
,he officer shall be selected by preference
from officers and men who have been in
service, and shall have been honorably
discharged by the United States, and that
efectual provisions be made for drafting
the militia when required. The RECON-
lnendation in regard to appointments is
made to avoid the angry discussions, and,
too often, political jcalousies which divide
military organizations by the election of
officers, and to secure the services of the
most deserving and competent men.
The election of officersin in the volunteer
forces in the field has been found te be in
furious to the service, while promotions
by seniority and appointments by merito-
rious privates has produced harmony and
stimulated to faithiulness. In the enlist
ment of new organizations, the plan adopt
ed of granting authority to officers to re.
cruit companies has been found to be the
best policy. also recommend that the
Governor be authorized to form (eithcr by
the acceptance of volunteers or by draft,
in such parts of the State ashe may deem
expedient,) a special corps of militia to
consist in one portion of cavalry, artillery
and infantry, be kept up to the fullnum-
Der Of fifteen regiments, to be styled
Minute Men," who shall be sworn and
mustered into the service of the State fol
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 assembled
for drill or called into service, and who
shall at all times be liable to be called in
to immediate service for the defence q
the State independently of the remainder
of the militia.
As this force would be eubject to sud
den calls, the larger part of it should be
organized in the counties lying on our ex-
treme border; and as the people of these
counties have more personal interest in
their protection, the accommodation is
made to authorize the Governor to desig-
nate the parts of the State in which il
should be raised, and to save the time and
expense of transporting troops from re.
mote parts of the State, and the subsis-
tence and pay in going to and from the
border.
A body of men so organized will, it is
believed, be effective to prevent raids and
incursions. The expense.of clothing, ar
ming and equipping such force can
not be correctly ascertained, but the Quar-
termaster General has been directed to
make approximate estimates for your in
formation, which will be independent of
pay and subsistence.
The State should provide at least six
four-gun batteries of field artillery with
all the modern improvements.
The suggestion has been frequently
made by unrehecting persons that the
State should raise force and keep it
permanently in the field for her defense.
Apart from other considerations, it is to
be observed that the expenses of such a
measure would be quite beyond the present
ability of the State.
To raise and maintain an army of ff-
teen regiments, would involve an annual
expenditure of more than fifteen million
of dollaas, and any smaller force would
be inadequate. The plan which have
about proposed would, | think, give to the
State efficient protection, and if the Leg
islature should think fit to adopt it, the
exnense can be readily provided for by