The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-08-18


by the General Government. This authority
was denied. a letter then follows from Maj
Cen. Couch, commanding the Department of
the Susquehanna, to the Secretary of War,
requesting that the United States issue uni
forms to 10 600 men, to be recruited in Penn
sylvania, and organized into special corps,
for service on the borders of the State This
was also denied. The Governor then goes
on to say:l
In each of the three years, 1862, 1853
aud 1861, 1t 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 Gov
ernment. From the want of organizations
We have been Obliged to rely exclusively
on the volunteer militia, and with few
exceptions to organize them anew for
each occasion. This has caused confusion
and a loss of valuable time, aud has result
ed In sending to the field bodies of men
In great measure undisciplined. The
militia bill passed at the la:e session is
think Tor ordinary times the best militia
law we ever had but under the existing
extraordinary circumstances, it seems 10
require notifications. [ suggest that the
assessors be directed to make an immedi-
ate enrolment, classifying the militia as
may be thought best; that the officers be
appointed by the Governor, on the rec
ommendation, approved by him, of a board
of examination, composed Of three Major
Generals for each division, of whom the
Major General of the division shall be
one, the other tWo to be designated by the
Governor, from adjoining divisions, or in
such other mode as the Legislature may
think fit; that in all cases the officers
shall be selected by preference from off
GERS and men who have been in service,
and shall have been honorabiy discharged
by the United States, AMI that effectual
provision be made for drafting the militia
when required. The recommendation in
regard to appointments is made to avoid
the angry discussions, and, too often.
political jealousies which divide military
organizations by the election Of officers,
and TO secure the. services of the most de-.
-servingsand competent men.
The election of officers in the volunteer
forces in the field has been found 20 be-
injurious to the service, while promotions
by seniority, and appointments of merito-
rious privates have produced harmony and
stimulated to faithfulness. La the enlist
ment Of new organizations the plan adop-
ted Of granting authority to officers to
recruit companies has been found to be
the best policy. 1 also recommend that
the Governor be authorized to form (cither
by the acceptance OF volunteers or by
draft in such parts Of the State as he may
deem expedienO special corps of militia,
to consist in due proportion Of Cavalry,
Artillery and Inlantry, TO be kept mp to
the full number of fifteen regiments, TO be
styled "Aiinute Men," who shall be sworn
and mustered into the service of the State
for three ycars-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 into immediate service for the de-
fence of the State Independently of tie
remainder OF the militia.
As this force would be subject to sud
den calls, the larger part of it should be
organized in the counties lying on our
extreme border, and as the people of these
counties have more personal interest in
their protection, the recommendation is
made to authorize the Governor to desig-
nate the parts of the State in which it
should be raised and to save the time and
expense OF transporting troops from remote
parts OF the STATE and the subsistence
aud 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,
arming and equipping such a force cannot
be correctly ascertained, but the Quarter
master General has been directed to make
approximate estimates for your informa-
ton, 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 a force and keep it
permanently in the field for her defence.
Apart from other considerations, it is to
be observed that the expenses of such a
measure would be quite beyond the pres
ent ability of the State. TO raise and
maintain an army of fifteen regiments
would involve an annual expenditure of
more than fifteen millions of dollars, and
any smaller force would be inadequate
The plan which l have above proposed
would, think, give to the State efficient