The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-08-18


aud that effectual provision be made for
drafting the militia when required
The recommendation in regard to ap-
pointments is made to avoid the angry
dissention, and too often political jealousy,
which divide military organizations by
the election of officers, and to secure the
services of the most deserving and COM
petent men. The election of officers in
the volunteer forces in the field has been
found to be injurious to thesservice, while
promotions by seniority and appoint
ments of meritorious privates have pro-
duced bravery, and stimulated to faith
fulness. In the enlistment Of authority
to officers to recruit companies has been
found to be the best policy
also recommend that the Governor be
authorized to form, either by the accep-
tance of volunteers or by draft, in such
parts of the State as he may deem ex-
pedient, spesal corps of militia, to con-
sist due proportions of cavalry, artillery,
and infantry,to to be kept up to the full num-
Der of Is regiments, TO be styled minute
Men, who shall be sworn and mustered
into the service 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 assembled for
drill or called into service and who shall
at all times be liable to be called into i'm
mediate service for the defense of the
State, independently of the remainder of
the term enlisted for.
AS this force would be subject to sud-
den calls, the larger part of it should be
organized in the counties rdjoining our
exposed border, and as the people of those
counties have more personal interest in
their protection, the recommendations is
made to authoize the Governor to des-
ignate the parts of the State in which it
shall be based, and save the time and ex-
pense of transporting troops from remote
parts of the States, and the subsistence
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 expenses of clothing, arming, and
equipping such force cannot be correctly
ascertained, but the Quartermaster Gen
eral has been directed to approximate
estimates for your information, which will
be independent of pay and subsistence.
The States should provide at least six
four gun batteries of field artillery, with
all the modern improvements. The sug
gestion has been frequently made by more
rejecting persons that the States should
raise a 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 pres
ent ability of the States,
To raise and maintain an army of fifteen
regiments (and any smaller force would
be inadequate) would involve an annual
expenditure of more than fifteen millions
of dollars
The plan which | have above proposed
would, [ think, give the State efficient
protection, and if the Legislature should
think fit to adopt it the expense can be
readily provided for by loan or otherwise.
Having an organized force under the
control of the authorities of the State, and
mustered into sevice for domestic protce-
tion, we would not, as heretofore, lose
time in arranging for transportation and
supplies with the National Government
when it become necessary to call it into
the field.
When thoroughly organized, it should
be in all its appointments an army which
could be increased from our enrolment of
classified citizens. The plan which have
about suggested is the result of the re-
Election and experience which have had
during the last three years, and | have
felt it to be my duty to submit it for your
consideration, for the purpose of proVi-
ding for the effectual defense of the State
If the Legislature should prefer the
adoption Of any other plan, more efficient
and economical that which | have herein
proposed, it will give me pleasure to CO.
operate heartily in carrying it into effect.
In accordance with the act of March 4,
1864, have appointed for the Eastern
armies, Colonel +. Jordan as Agent at
Washington, and Lieut. Colonel James
Gillian as Assistant Agent at that place ;
and also for the Southwestern arimes,
Lieutenant Colonel James Chamberlain as
Agent at Nashville.
These agents are now actively engaged
in the performance of their duties, and it
is desirable that our people should be
aware that part of them consist in the
gratuitous collsesion of all claims by Penn
syivania Voluhteesr, or their legal re.
presentatives, on the States and National
Governments.
Volunteers having claims on either OF
these Government can have them collected
through these agents without expense,
and thus be secured from the extcrtlons
| to which it is feared they have sometimes
heretofore been subjected. Having receiv-
ed information from the agents of the
States that our sick and wounded were
suffering greatly from the want of com
forts and even necessaries, | have been
Il