The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-12


bads fair, aided by the proper stimulants of
increased local interest, and Sufficient
State bounty, to fill the entire quota of our
little State prior to the 10th of March.
Such statement as this seems at first
sight, we admit, devoid of reason. But let
us Tor moment look into the subject, and
eldeavor to ascertain the exact demand made
of US as people, by the Government.
To run no farther back than the call for
100000 volunteers, made last summer,
(prior to which we believe the State vas
not indebted to the War Department for
any part Of her former quotas) we have
the following facts to deal with. Under
the call last mentioned, there was draft
in August last, for 1920 men, being the
number then due upon said call for 300,-
600. By means Of that draft the Govern,
ment obtained S45 mep or its equivalent,
leaving deficit of 775, There was
another call for 100000 in October,
upon which the State was due the Depart
ment Gas given to the public 1852 men;
and in lieu of the requisite volunteering a
draft was ordered for January 1st 1864;
which has been postponed from time to
time, so as now to be incorporated in the
recent call of the President for 500, 900
troops, to be drafted for on the 10th of
March next. We have been given to un-
derstand that should this State furnish
By Votmtcers, her quota under the order
for the last 100000, (being the greater
part of the number of 100000 last called
out that there should be no draft for the
former deficiency Of IT'S men under the
first call alluded to. Should this be as
stated, we have the question (of what are
we yet due the Department. reduced to
the fact of demand for 500, 900 troops,
less the credits already allowed, of whics
Delaware's quota is, about 1900. OF this
number we have furnished (including the
Veteran Volunteers, enlistments, and me-
gro recruits) eight hundred troops, leaving
less than the States quota under the call
for 100000 men yet due, or less than 1000
men.
Now should the Legislature grant
State bounty, at all creditablc to the State
and commensurate with the importance of
the cause, and our people continue their
efforts as for the last ten to twenty days,
we think the quota of the State will be
made up; or 50 far reduced by the time
fixed for the draft, thai our authorities
may again effect postponement, thereby
enabling the people to complete the work
WITHOUT resort to the damaging and dis
honorable method of draft. But in de-
fault of the Legislature passing any appro-
priation for bounties, and to increase the
already rapid enlistment, we would recon-
mend that local subscriptions be opened.
and some arrangement be made (if such
can possibly be done) by which every en-
rolled party may be constituted a recruit
ing agent. For instance, let il be under
stood that each and ereYy party fit,aishing
t'eo or more acceptable recruits, aehite or
cotored, free or Stare, shall be relieped from,
any further liability uasder the existing en-
'lolment. At the same time let there be
offered bounty sufficient to defray reason
able expenses; and we shall no more lie
disturbed by future demands for troops,
as the volunteering under such system
will always anticipate any, even the largest
call yet made, or to be made.
We call the attention of the public to
this subject, and ask them not only to con-
tinue, but to increase their efforts to aid
eniistments, and at the same time to Sc
cure to ourselves a selfsustaining volun-
teer system, one which will always be lrae-
ticable, and of but little expense. We
should like an interchange of sentiment
respecting the above; for unlike most men
in our midst, we believe that there will be
heavy battles (perhaps the greatest of the
war; and great amount of hard Fl Lighting,
before this contest is ended, and conse-
quently many more calls upon the resources
of the federal government to support it.
Let us then devise some plan. the lest one
possible, to meet the necessities and re-
quirements of our Country.