The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-01-18
Governors Message.
[cOn,inucd from Firs, Psee.l

/ Va
was to give to each of our operating ar
mics large reserve force. Tho time be-
fore the opening Of tho campaign was too
short to admit OF CALL with its attendant
Of draft, even if tho legislation of Congress-
not then completed, had admitted of such
a measure. Tho policy was therefore APP
parent, of supporting our active armies by
the militia, until legislation could be per.
feeted, and an additional call be made.
Tho States Of Ohio, Indiana aud Illinois
had another manifest interest in this move
ment. Ia order to save our southern Dor
ders from iuoursions aud raids, it was CIV.
idently sound policy 10 SO strengthen our
, main armies as to furnish full employment
for tho rebel forces in their own territory.
In this particular the result fully justified
the wisdom of the movement. But one
raid was attempted during the season, and
that was checked and overwhelmed in Ken.
lucky before reaching the Ohio river.
This offer OF the States was promptly ac-
ccpted by the President on the 26th OF
April, and this fact, being then in Wash.
| iugton, com nunicated by telegraph to the
Adjutant-G General. lie imme lately issued
his order for the assembling of the Nation.
al Guard at their respective places of rem
devious on the 81 day of May. On very
iuclement day, amid storm of snow aud
rain, there met and reported for duty near
| ly forty thousand mon. who, without qucs-
ton or reservation, offered their services
to the country in its hour of need. From
these were organized forty-One regiments
and one battalion, with an aggregate
strength Of 1882 men. OF these, one reg
iment and the battalion were reserved Mt
Johnson's Island, one regiment at Camp
Chase one at Gallipolis, and two at Camp
Dennisnn. The remaining thirty-six reg
iments embracing an aggregate strength OF
81 ,05l men, were sent out of the State into
! Virginia, Maryland and the District of CO.
lumbia. Six of these regiments went to
the front under General Butler; two OF
them were in the battle of Monocacy, where
they suffered loss of four killed and sew
en- wounded, and a number of prisoners;
one was stationed at MartnsburG, Virgin
ia where it suffered loss of over two
hundred prisoners, who are still in rebol
hands; one regiment was with Gen Hun
ter in his severe march to Lynchburgh and
back, reporting the loss of only one man;
other regiments were stationed at Baltimore
and Washington, and saw active service
in the raid upon the latter city. OF the
force retained in the State, the l56th, l69th
and l7lst were all thrown into Kentucky to
meet the raid of Morgan, where they did
good service. lii the fight near Cynthiaua
tho l6oth had nineteen wounded of whom
two died. The Colonel and Lieutenant
Colonel were both included in the list of
wounded-the former very severely. In
the surrender by General Hobson large
number of this regiment was inclnded,
but they were afterwards paroled, rs the
retreat OF Morgan was necessarily SO eXpe-
dlti0us that he could not retain them.
This statement of tho services OF the
Guard, am well aware is imperfect. and
does not do justice to them Efforts have
been made to get full returns of casualties
and record of the service anticipated
that the Adjutant General would be able to
present such statement in his annual re-
port, but he is not prepared to do so. In
process of time hope this record will be
completed. In every position the conduct
of the forcs was highly creditabIe, and the
entire success of the movement reflected
honor upon the men aud the State.
The Guard was returned home as speedi-
ly AZ practicable, upon the expiration of
Us -tlmei--hpt owing 10 unayoldilble delays
III transportation, payment and muster, the
average term OF service was about one
hundred and twenty days.
This movement of the National Guard
has demonstrated it's valuo and Importance
as an arm of State defense-cven if no 9th.
er duties are required of it; ana it becomes
the duty OF the Legislature, at least during
the continuance OF the war to adopt all ne.
cessary means to strengthen it, and per-
tect Its organization. The experience of
the men acquired in their late brief term
OF service, will be of great value not only
to themselves but to the State. In the
event OF raid or invasion you have some.
thing better than an ineXperien ;ed or nm
organized militia to rely upon; and in pro.
portion as you foster and encourage it. you
will strengthen the power of the State to
resist and danger that may threaten it.
TO this end | call your attention to the
suggestions made by the Adjutant Gener-
al in his report. They commend them
selves to my own Judgment, and limited
experiences; aud therefore .recommend
them to your careful consideration.
In this connection it will be proper to
advise you OF my action in another branch
OF the militia system and State defenses.
found the State without an artillery arm
OF ITS own, and with but one light battery
within It's borders, belonging to tho gov.
erhmeht, which was liable to movement
at any time out of the State, as it was
taken during the month Of August. The
ueheral government was largely indebted |
to us in this branch of armament; but the |
War Department assured me it was impos- |
sible to respond to our calls. CONSEQUENT
~ determined to make this branch of the
State defense a matter of immediate action.
l accordingly contracted for four batteries
OF SIX guns each; two of six, aud two of
with carriages, caissons.
and harness complete. Two OF them were
furnished with one hundred horses each.
The expenditure for this purpose, from
the million appropriation, has been SiO3.-
0iO56' A battery organized of the Nation
al Guard was called out at Camp Dennison
IN June, for the term of sixty DAYS; which
was replaced by another in August, for a
Ike term. An organization was also call
ed out at Cleveland, in August, which
was afterwards transferred 10 Johnsou's
Island; and this was replaced by another
N October. While in service these or.
except the first one, were
paid and subsisted by the General Gov.
'rnment. AS they are not required for
winter hervice, the last one at Camp Denni.
ION, has not been replaced The one at
'ohnsoni Island has again been transferred
o camp Cleveland, and will be rcplaced
u the expiration of its present term. by
'peclai order OF the War Department The
batteries are in good condition, and have ,
'een securely placed, in proper position
OF any requisitions that may be made
lpon them.
We have thus four battery organizations
tha State that have each been effective {