Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-05

In this connection 1t viii be proper to ad-
wise you of my action in another branch of
the militia system and State defcnses. i
found the State without an artillery arm of
its own, and with but one light battery
within its borders belonging to the Govern
ment, which was liable to movement at any
time out of the State, as it was taken during
the month of August. The General Gov
ernment was largely indebted to us in this
branch of armament but the War Depart
ment assured me it was impossible to re-
spOnd to our calls. | consequently deter
mined to make this branch of the State de-
| fense matter of immediate action. | ac-
cOrdingly contracted for four batteries OF six
guns each, two of six, and two of twelve
Founders, with carriages, caissons, and har-
ness complete. Two of them were furnish
ed with one hundred horses each. The eX-
penditure for this purpose, from the million
| appropriation, has been $l039l0.36. A bat
terry organization Of the National Guard
was called out at Camp Dennison. in June,
| for the term of sixty days; which was re-
placed by another in August, for like
term. An organization was also called out
Mt Cleveland in August, which was after
wards transferred to Johnson's Island; and
this was replaced by another in October.
| While in service these organizations, except
the first one. were paid and subsisted by
the General Government. As they are not
required for winter service, the last one at
Camp Dennison has not been replaced. The
one at Johnson's Island has been again
transferred to Camp Cleveland, and will be
replaced at the expiration Of its present
term, by special order of the War Depart
ment. The batteries are in good condition,
and have been securely placed in proper
positions, for any acquisitions that may be
made upon them.
I, .,Ntsx Hons
| in the State that have each been effectively
drilled for sixty days, and that are subject
to call at any moment the defenses of the
State may require their services. During
next summer. should hostilitiPs continue,
the same course should be adopted, and our
organizations perfected in the use of their
guns. The expense is mparatively light,
so long as the Government has employment
for the batteries and pays and subsists the
horses and men. True there has been no
special use for them during the present sea-
son, to repel invasion; but in times like
these the power of State consists equally
in preparation for hostilities as in ability
to rcpel them. The former, rs preventive,
is not unircquently more advantageous and
economical than the latter as a cure.
The men composing the first of these Or
CARNATIONS at Camp Dennison did not re-
spoDd promptly or cheerfully to the call,
nor depOrt themselves very soldierly dur
ing their service. The other organizations
met the call with alacrity, and discharged
their duties in manner crcditable to them
selves and the requirements of the law.
The cavalry arm of the National Guard
consists of thirteen companies, now num-
bering about six hundred men, but which
could and should be increased to full COM
| pany organiZatiOns-Say about one thou
| sand men, exclusive of officers. These or
| ganiZatiJns have all been made with the
understanding that for all purposes of drill
and muster, the men are to provide their
own horses, without compensation. When
called into service they also furnish horses
and horse equipments, receiving for use the
amount allowed by Governmentin in similar
cases. On the other hand, the State agreed
to furnish the arms and equipments for the
men. This has not been done, and the fail
ure has created 10 little dissatisfaction
| The interests of the State imperatively re-
quire that this arm OF the National Guard
! should be effectively organized and equip
| ped. In cases of raid and invasion the
| want OF it heretofore has been seriously felt,
and its benefit in such occurrences in the fu-
ture would be speedily recognized. The
Quartermaster-Gen has very properly
presented the matter in his annual report,
to which refer you, and suggest its favor
able consideration.
| The act of March 30tb, 1864. providing
for the defense of the State, expires, by cx-
press provision, on the 30th day of March,
| 1865. | recommend that it be extended for
at least one year from the latter date.
CALLS AND QUOTAS OF MEN.
Since the first of January, 1864, the Gov
ernment has called upon this State for men
for the army as follows:
February lst, 1854 ....................... 51,465
| July 18th, ....................,..... 5O,792
Total Observation-Disclosures. l22,s52
Upon revision of our credits prior to Jan
uary 1st, 1864, under preceding calls, the
| last-named amount was reduced to 30593;
| leaving our quota to be furnished under the
three calls 102,G53. To fill deficiencies un-
der the two first calls, a draft was ordered
| in May, which produced 7,71l men; of whom
| 6,290 paid communication, amounting to ST.
SS7 900, and the balance went into service
in person or by substitutes. For the same
purpose draft was ordered under the last
call, commencing in September-the def
ciencies of the sub-districts amounting to
1905. That draft is about closed. 1t will
more than fill the quota OF the State, for
the reason that many of the sub-districts
had a surplus; but all objected to having
their credits given to districts that were de-
ficient. This excess over the State quota
amounted, on the first day of December, to
1854 men. The amount that will be de-
rived from supplementary drafts now pend
ing cannot be esafely estimated. LII under
stood between the State and Government
authorities that our account of credits is
defiEitely adjusted. There are undoubtedly
other credits, though not to very large
amount which we should have received;
but they could not be presented in such
shape as to procure them. The amount of
credits established and reclaimed during
the year is 90, 1919. - slee
In view of the possibility OF still further
calls for troops, it is very essential that
some action should be taken in regard to
our State enrolment. From the best esti-
mates can make, the lists upon which the
Government authorities are acting are from
twenty-five to forty thousand in excess of
the actual number of men subject to call
and draft in the State. The War Depart
ment has twice called upon the people of
the respective States to attend to the cor
rection of the enrolment lists; and have
circulated and enforced these calls by all
the means in my power. But there is in
many cases neglect, and in nearly all a want
of concentrated or organized action in the
matter; and SO the time goes by until call
comes, and then the authorities are CEN
sured, and the injustice is again perpe-
trated. a. sag.s fo- ,ei.roe ~
l In New York, last year, an enrolment
of the city was made by the State authori-
ties, and, after examination. was accepted