American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-01-13

and in the transportation of sick and
wounded and the dead bodies of our vol
enteers, as will be seer by the report of
the Chief of TRANSFORMATION, herewith
communicated. | recommend an appro-
priation to meet the efficiency, and also
to carry on the seryiceof this department
hereafter.
COMPENSATION TO Military AGENTS.
BY the thirteenth sction of the act of
the 18th May, 1861, he sum of $4,000
was appropriated to b expended by the
Governor, for the compensation of such
persons as he might require to serve the
Commonwealth in tlp military organiza-
ton of the State or the General Govern
ment, and for the expenses incident to the
business in which they might be employ
ed.
| have, accotding to law, settled annu-
al accounts Of the expenditure of this
fund in the Auditor Generals Office, to
which the Legislature is referred. The
unexpended balance is now 4,521 9S.-
A furthe, sum should be Appropriated in
like marner. Out of this fund | have
maid the persons whom | found it neces-
sary to employ in the military department
and the expenses of the agency which |
was compelled to establish at Washington,
to attend to the interest and welfare of
ourvolunteers. The continuance Of this
agency and the establishment of similar
one in the West are of vital importance
to them. | recommend the passage Of an
act authorizing the appointment of agents
at Washington and Nashville, and defining
their duties, which should include the col
lection of all bounties, back pay, pensions,
etc, due to Pennsylvania.
On this subject | refer the Legislature
to the report of Col Il. Biddle Roberts,
late agent for the State, at Washington,
herewith communicated, and commend it
to your careful examination.
On the invasion of the State during the
last summer, the President made a call for
militia, and with his consent subsequent
ly made call for volunteer militia for the
defense of the State. Under these calls
men were assembled and organized with
promptnoss, after the reality of this emer.
gency came to be understood by our peo
pic The General Government clothed
and subsisted this force, and agreed to pay
it, but as no appropriation for that purpose
had been made by Congress, the President
and Secretary of War promised if the
money should be advanced from othel
quarters to recommend its immediate re
payment on the meeting Of Congress.
1t is understood that steps have beer
already taken to fulfil this pledge. Sevc
raj of the'banks cheerfully and readily ad
vanced the necessary funds to the amoun
of S671, ,476, ,43, on my promise to recon-
mend to the Legislature an appropriation
to repay them in case Congress should tai
to make one. | accordingly make tha
recommendation most emphatically.-
Should it be necessary, | will hereafter
in a special message, give the details anC
correspondence relating to this subject
New York and New jersey, under the
Presidents call, sentregiments to assist il
our defence, for which our thanks are du'
to those States, our good neighbors.
ESTABLISHMENT OF GETTYSBURG GENIE
Terry.
After the battle of Gettysburg, in which
loyal volunteers from eighteen States, in
cluding Pennsylvania, were engaged, i
appeared to me proper thatall those State
should unite in establishing a cemetery OIL
the spot, in which their soldiers who haC
fallen in that conflict, should be honorabl,
inferred. | accordingly appointed Davi,
Willis, ESQ, of Gettysburg, my agent
and through him. a site was purch ased at
cost of S2,475 81, and the Conveyance
made to the C Commonwealth On commu
nicating with the authorities of the othe
States, they all readily agreed to becom
parties to the arrangement, and on the 9tl
day of November last, the cemetery wa.
dedicated with appropriate ceremonies il
the presence of the President of the Uni
ted States, the Governors of the State
concerned, and other high officers, Stat
and National.
On the 10Th day of December, on tn
invitation of Mr.. Willis, commissioner
representing the States interested in tn
cemetery, me in Harrisburg, and agree
upon plan for its improvement and car
in the future, and the appoltionment of th
sum of money required, to the severa
States, which is herewith communicated
The expenses attending the establishment
of this cemetery ,inclosing the cost Of thi
site, have thus far amounted to So, ,209 2e
and an appropriation will be required t
pay these expenses, and to meet our POI
ton of those attending its future mainter
ance 1t will appear by the proceeding
of the commissioners, that their due pre-
portion of the expenses already incurre
are to berefunded by the State on who's
account they were made. 1t is just tosa
that Mr.. Willis has discharged his del
cate and important duties with fidelity, an
to my retire satisfaction.
RELIEF OF FAMILIES OF VOLUNTEERS.
The act for the relief of families of vo
unteers in service may require some reyi
ion. 1t is alleged that in some parts {
the State the county authorities are bacl
ward in executing the law. If this be s.
the members from the different countiC
will be aware Of the fact, and viii bemo'
ready to make such futher enactments ;
may be proper.
| commend to the prompt attention {
81 i. g