Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-02-04

pie are 50 engaged In actual warfare, to Gre
ate any degree Of enthusiasm in what upder
the Circumstances, appeais but nimickry.
While still deem il matter Of much i'm
portance, ! DO not expect an efficient organ
ization under the present law. The legisla.
turs of last winter adopted sundry amend
ments recommended in the report Of last
year but omitted the vital point, to-wit: COM
pensation TO members Of the organized mill
tia. do not repeat the recommendation, al
though if it is deemed best TO make any exer-
tions to keep up State militia, my views of
the necessity of q compensation are I'M
changed.
Ia the absence of military pride and en-
thusiasm, some motive must be presented TO
encourage organizations, aud that in my
opinion must be q reasonable compensation
for time actually spent. In all other States
where an effective State militia is maintained,
payment is made for specified service and is
its acknowledged life.
Of the forty four companies nominally con-
shutting the organized militia of the State,
four have during the past year been disband-
ed, two of which, the Lafayette County
Guards and the Benton Union Guards were
consolidated TO form one company, the La
fayette County Guards.
The Badger State Guards, at Cascade, She
Waukesha county, have, at their own request,
been disbauded.
OF the forty remaining companies of in
fantry and artillery, have received the
semi-annual report of mu ter required by the
statute, fro n fourteen companies.
The total number of men reported for the
four regiments of infantry and two batteries
of artillery is eight hundred and seventy
nine (S79.) | have appended in schedule I
roster giving the numerical strength of COM
panies and regiments at date of last semi ian
nual muster, TO which reference is respectful
ly made for detailed information of their
present condition.
Section SO of the present militia law pro-
vides as follows
SECTION SO. If the number of volunteer com
panes of the militia Of this State shall not. within
three months from the passage of his act. amount
to a force equivalent {, three tuI regiments II
ganized militia, rhe Commander-in-Chiefm may pro-
coed TO araft and organize trm the enrolled mill
tia of the Srate force equal to such number of
regiment, ia the same manner and with ike fleet
provided in his act for draf lug enrolled militia
tor active seTv &c; and all the provisions this
act hereby made applicable TO he enrolled
militia drafted aud organized, to the end q hat
TIN re shsll always be force OF organized militia
OF the state equal TO three regiments.
Such a course is in my opinion at the pres
ent time impracticable without mourning !,
heavy and unwaranted expense; owing to
the frequent calls of the General Govern
ment for recruits from the State for active
service in the field, by which action the
State organization would be as frequently
destroyed, and render a draft for State militia
a necessity as frequent as tue calls of the Gen
eral Government. And although as is evil
dent we have not the military force required
by law, | would recommend the delay of a
State draft at least another season, it being
deemed within the discretion OF the Execu-
tive.
In view of the probable necessity for a
draft of State militia, to maintain the organ
ization, and owing TO the many changes since
the enrolment OF 1862, it was deemed best
To make new enrolment the present year,
under the provisions OF section 8, of the mill
tia law, and blanks for that purpose were
sent from this office early in May last. From
the returns OF the eyeral Assessors so far re-
ceived, II appears that there were in the
State last June, 1881 persons between the
ages oil eighteen ami forty live, who were
subject 30 military duty, from which the re-
qumed force may at any time be drafted
for State service. 4 schedule showing the
enrolment by counties is appended in pa
per s.
In view Of the expense attending the en-
rollment, amounting the present year TO over,
six thousand dollars, and IN view of tie fact
that any draft for State purposes is at present
improbable, l respectfully recommend the
OMISSION of a further enrolment until more
lmme date occasion shall demand.
have said more than / contemplated at
tile commencement relative TO the State mill
TIA, deeniing it as | do III its present cou-
dition more fareIcal than otherwise. | do
hot think that there is among the people
enough interest in the matter to maintain a
volunteer organization under the present law
In the future, should immediate dangers
threaten W., or, what is more probable, when
tAose who are now beng made familiar with
the science of warfare by experience, and
who :" have learned to love it by the dangers
they have passed." shall again return among
Us, 1t may coniider tly be hoped that we shall
have an organization worthy of the name.-
Meanwhile, most earnestly recommend the
passage OF an act authorizing the appoint
uent Dy the Governor Of military commits
sion composed OF three members, from resi-
dents oi the State best qualified for the duty,
who shall be instructed TO avail themselves
OF all necessary Information for the purpose
Of preparing mllta law which can be rem
dered practicable aud operative in this State.
MUSTER AND DESCRIPTIVE ROLLS OF VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATIONS.
While the mass OF records here pertaining
to the volunteer organizations IN the service
OF tile general government are constantly ac-
cumuiating, and are properly filed for future
reference, 1t is a matter of regret that we
lack complete muster and descriptive rolls of
many of the regiments from this State. We
have original muster rolls of all the organi-
cations now in the service, but il is found
that the character of all is not such as to
make them reliable authority for the purpose
for which they are intended. The great impor-
lance OF these records in the future, is known
by very few persons. l think it was not rec
ognized by our legislators the past year.
fhelr Importance should be understood, in
the fact tuat II Is from the evidence presented
IN these records, that the bounties and premi-
ums are allowed and paid by the United
States to discharged and invalid soldiers, and
TO the widows and children of those who
have died in the service. The frequent in
qury from the War Department. during the
past summer for this information, led me-
while at Washington in August, to investi-
gate this subject to some extent. | found
that the Department have some records
that we have not, but am satisfied that this
Office is now possessed of more information
in regard TO our troops than the War Depart
ment, and that neither, or both together,
have such complete records as the require
ments of the future will render imperative.
In my report of last year, | recommended
such measures and such expense under the
direction and approval of the Executive, as
should be necessary TO correct and complete
the records. | respectfully renew the re-