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

| The encouragement given to it by the gen.
eral government, and the systematic manner
in which it il now conducted, has recon
mended and made the Sanitary Commission
n. acceptable mode of sending to our armies
the needed hospital comforts.
The Soldiers Aid Society at Milwaukee, IN
der the very efficient management of the Ia
dies of that city, and In the fact Of its being
the center Of larger population than any
other locality Of the State, has heea made
the depot and channel for distribution of
Sanitary stores from a large area of the
State.
very interesting report of their labors
FOR the past six months, has just beer issued,
giving statistical results, and making an ap-
peal, which should have thorough circulation
in the State. This Society does not howev-
er, BY any means represent the labors of the
women of Wisconsin, Nearly every city,
town, and village has its weekly gathering
where busy hands prepare comforts, sending
them direct by private haxds, or through
other channels to swell the tribute of graft
tude Tor our suffering ildiers in hospitals.
An English gentleman, now in our army,
in writing me says: "There is no one thing
in the whole course of the war that has i'm
pressed me more strongly than the uhselish
and noble manner in which the wives, moth
ers and daughters of America have taken up
their share of the burthen, and the b,ave
and accomplishing way in which they have
sustained it. God bless them for it." The
benefcent influence of their action has miti-
gated the sufferings and cheered the heart of
many a one "ready to perish" giving en-
enlargement for still continued and needed
labor.
OFFICE MATTERS.
The assumption by the General Govern
ment of much of the labor heretofore de-
volved upon the State authorities in the man
ner of raising troops has in some measure
changed, although it has not lessened the
labors of this office.
While the State has less to do with the
original foi nation of regiments, the course
pursued by the War Department renders the
heeping of proper records much more COM
pick and laborous, which, with the labor in
cident 10 the increase of regiments from the
State, has rendered an increased aud uni
form assistance necessary the entire year.
There have been sixteen hundred and sixty
five commissions, thirty general and fifty
three special orders issued during the year,
and almost numberless certificates in connec-
ton with the death, muster out, pension and
back pay, county and town bounties or State
aid, of those formerly, or now In che service.
here take occasion to again acknowledge
the faithfulness and efficiency of the gentle
men engaged in this office, whose ability aud
readiness in the unremitting aud oft.times
perplexing labor, has lightened many bur-
then OF official duty.
La this connection it also affords me pleas
ure TO record the pleasant and courteous re-
lations which have existed between this De-
partment and the United States officers sta
toned in the State, with whom have been
brought into official contact
No special duties have devolyed upon me
as Inspector General of the State, rendering
a report necessary.
CONCLUSION.
In closing my report for the year, can
but refer your Excellency TO the record
which our State presents in a review of the
past three and half years. Over seventy
five thousand of her sons,-within a fraction
of one-tenth of her entire population, brave
and true men-have responded to the call of
the General Goverlment-offeringt their lives,
if such need be, for the maintenance OF its
power and supremacy, in the resistance of an
armed rebellion.
For three and half years, side by side
they have ever borne the National colors
and the flag of our own Badger State-upon
the banks of the Rio Graude, in the forests
of ID cOtah, in the mountains of Tennessee,
upon the fertile plains of Alabama and Geor-
gia, and the now devastated fields of the
once venerated old Dominion"
On the march, in the conflict, wherever
they have been, the State may point To their
record with a true maternal pride, claiming
them as her sons. Many have fallen upon the
field of battle, sealing their devotion 10 their
country in their own life's blood. Others
have fingered in hospitals, or wasted under
uatod suffrrings in Southern prisons
Others there be in all portions of our State
hearing honorable and honored scars of con-
fiict, others still whose three years of ser
vice have expired without the realization of
their TOO sanguine hopes, after a faithful per-
formance of duty have returned, and again
quietly resume their stations, honored citi-
gems in the business walks of civil life while
the many still press foI ward in the ranks of
our army, bearing high the banners of victory.
Heroes are they all-the living and the dead
are alike TO be honored.
Another year closes around us, the strife
yet continued and our hopes yer unfulflled; a
year, more than any other, full of interest in
the history of the State and the Nation-du-
ring whichthe heart of the people, more than
in any other of this rebellion, has yibrated
between hopes and fears-yet pressing right
onward through the darkness and danger is,
through the late brilliant achievements of our
arms, made to rejoice in the Frightening dawn
or returning peace.
Trusting that the incoming year, opening
SO auspiciously. may record its glorious con-
summation throughout all our borders,
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
AUG. GAYLORD,
AdJutant General.