Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-17
NEW SERIES-VOL. VINO. :

VI sotnethlng oelnG done at once. and as n
military measure, think it will be of 90.
sentlal service to the General Government
and recommend that the War Denartment
encourage the movement by anthorilino
the loan orissue OF uniforms, provided the
law in question is enacted.
II is believed that the new militia law
ItR' Ste|e ,RRaae ,RR5aeGrs ii earomcnt viii
probably be made.
| am sir, very respectfully, your obedi-
ent servant, (Signed)
D.N. COUCH
Maj. GensComd'g Dept.
HEADQUARTERS, DEPT SUsouEHANyA.
Harrisburg, August 18th, 1864.
true copy respectfully furnished for
the information of his Excellency, Cover
nor A. G. Curtin.
'JNO. S. SCHULTZE,
Asst Adj't General.
On the same day approved in writing
o! the proposition, and expressed my opin-
ion that the Legislature would pass an act
IN accordance with it at its adjourned
session on the 23d of August. Rm fur
nished with an Oil cia copy of the follow
ing reply dated August |, 1861, TO the
proposition Of Gen. Couch
Copy.
WAR DEPr, ADJ'r GENHRALs OFFICE,
Washington, d. c., Aug. |, 1851.
.HGj. Gen. ID. N. Couch Cgmaanaiaq DC
Harrisburg, Ia.
General; | have the honor TO ac<nowl-
edge the receipt OF your letter Of the 22nd
OF July, relative to the United States pro-
Vlding uniforms for Special Corps " of
militia from certain border counties of
Pennsylvania.
In reply, ! an directed to inform vou
that the subject has been carefully consid-
cred by the Secretary of War, who cannot
sanction the issue Of clothing in question.
! am, General, very respectfully, your
obcdient servant. Signed
TllOS. NJ. VINCENT,
Asst Adj't General.
HEADounrERs, DEPT SUsQuEnANSA,
Harrisburg, August 9th, 1864.
A true copy respectfully furnished for
the information Of his ExcelIency, Cover
nor A. G. Curtin.
JNO. S. SCIULTZE,
Asst Adj't Gen.
In eAoh of the three years, 1862, 1863
call the State militia for the de(euc. Of
the State, and this has been done with the
assent and assistance of the General Gov
eminent. From the want of organization
We have been obliged 10 rely exclusively
on the volunteer militia, and with few ex.
captions TO organize them anew for each
occasion. This has caused confusion and
a loss OF valuable time, and has resulted
in sending TO the field bodies of men i'm a
great measure undisciplned The militia
bill passed at The last session is think
for ordinary times the best bill We ever
had; but under the existing extraordina-
ry circumstances, it seems TO REQUIRE mod
itications. | suggest that the assessors TO
directed to make an immdiate enrolment.
classifying the militia as may be thought
best that the officers be appointed by the
Governor, on the recommendation, ap-
proved by him, ofa 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 officers and men who
have been in service, and shall have been
honorably discharged by the UnitedStates,
and that etfectual provision be made for
drafting tho militia when required. The
recommendation in regard to appoint
ments is made to avoid the angry dissen,
tons, and, too often, political jealousies
which divide military organizations by the
election of officers, and 10 secure the ser
vices of the most deserving and competent
men.
The election OF officers in the volunteer
forces in the field has beer found TO be in
furious to the service. while promotions
by seniority, and appointments Of merito-
rious priyates, has produced harmony and
stimulated to faiihfulness, In the enlist
ment Of new organizations the plan adop-
ted of granting authority to officers TO re-
oruit companies has been found to be the
best policy. | also recommend that tho
Governor be authorized to form Ieither by
the acceptance Of volunteers or by draft
in such parts of the State as he may deem
expedent) a special corps Of militia to
consist in due proportion Of cavalry, ar
tillery and infantry, to be kept up to the
lull i!AiilpVA VI hAtCCll ltSlllculs, lO tt
styled " Minute Men" who shall be sworn
and mustered into thelservice of the State
for 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 as
sembed for drill or called into service, and
who shall a. all times be liable to be call
ed into immediate service for the defence
of the State, independent of The remain
der of the militia.
As this force would be subject TO sudden
calls, the larger part Of it should be organ
lied in the counties lying on our extreme
border, and as the people Of these coun-
ties have mole pefsonal interest in their
protection, the recommendation is made
to authorize the Governor to designate the
parts Of the State iu which it should be
raised and to save the time and expense
of transporting troops from remote parts /
of the State and the subsistence and pay
in going to and from the border.
A body of men SO organized will, 1t is
believed, be effective to prevent raids and
The expenses Of clothing,
,l a.,t,ip,. oh forca nj