Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-01-20


imated the body of the men composing the
Guard. | do not intend to say that these men
are entitled to any more cOmmendatiOn as sol
diers, or patriotic citizens, than the thousands
of brave men who make up the volunteer forces
of our State; but the circumstances under
which they responded 10 the cali certainly en-
title them to honorable mention. From the ma
ture of their organization it was entirely unex-
pected TO them. They had comparatively no
notice and but few hours to arrange their
home affairs. They left farms, and stores, and
offices, and mechanical pursuits, many of them
without ability, and all of them without time or
opportunity, to make provision for their fami-
lies, arrange for the protection Of their indus
trial interests during their absence This they
did not only without a murmur, but with zeal
and enthusiasm. This fact which so materially
enhances their credit should not be withheld.
The Guard was returned home as speedily rs
practicable, upon the expiration of its time
but owing to the unavoidable delays in trans
pOrtation, payment and muster, the average
term of service was about one hundred and
twenty days.
As the force was TO be delivered to the Gov
ernment ready for the field, there were expen-
ses that must necessarily be incurred in the or
ganizatiOn. These were met, and paid, so far
as they have been presented, from the million
appropriation made last winter for the defense
of the State. The amount of this expenditure
ESTIMATING that not yet presented for payment)
will be about as follows: 1aR
For transportation ... $52553 81
For substance 6S,j2O III
For payment of officers before muster. IS, ,77S 81
Total 49, -.--......-------- 5 l96, 652 40
The two first of these items have been assumed
by the War Department and an order given for
their repayment to the State. The third is un-
der consideration, and see no good reason why
it should not also be allowed.
This movement of the National Guard has
demonstrated its value and Importance as an
arm of State defense-even if no other duties
are again required of it; and it becomes the du-
ty Of the Legislature at least during the coutin-
uance of the war, TO adopt all necessary meas
ures to strengthen it and perfect its organiza-
ton. 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 a. raid or invasion you have
something better than an inexperienced and un.
organized militia to rely upon and in proper
tion as you foster and encourage it, you viii
strengthen the power of the State to resist any
danger that may threaten it. To this end call
your attention to The suggestions made by the
Adjutant General in his report. They commend
themselves to my own judgment, and limited
experience and therefore recommend them
TO your careful consideration.
The influence of this organization was very
happily illustrated ON its return to the State
AS the time approached for the commencement
OF the draft in September there were strong
manifestations OF a spirit Of finsubordinatiOn, if
not Of open resistance to the laws. In several
counties men possessing high standing in the
political party that has arrayed itself against
the Government openly denounced the call for
troops, with the draft that must follow to en-
force it and cOunseled resistaUce, by force, if
necessary, To both measures. So far as their
influence extended short of the commission Of
acts that would bring themselves within the
penalty Of the laws, they strove to educate their
followers to the point of armed rebellion "a
position which, it may be admitted, they never
intended to occupy themselves. A secret or
ganizatiOn styled the Sons of Liberty, had es-
tablished its lodges all over the State. In many
sections considerable portion of the members
OF this institution were drilled at night in mill
tary maneuyers,-and measures were secretly
instituted TO procure arms and ammunition for
as large a number as practicable As they ac-
quired strength they became more open and
defiant. Threats were freely uttered of forci-
Die resistance,-which their leaders and presses
more eOvertly couDseled. Secrecy wss no longer
of its power and strength The National Guard
was absent, and the State regarded as defense
less. While they publicly denounced the Gov
ernOr for calling the Guard TO the common de-
fense Of the country, they secretly reiOiced at
its absence, and exulted over the opportunity
which they supposed it afforded them to carry
their plans into execution, with but compare
lively feeble resistance. Our people in nearly
every section Of the State became very much
alarmed at these demonstrations and seriously
apprebended domestic insurrection.
On the I'D of August issued PIoclanIa-
tiOD, cOuDseliDg these parties against their
course of conduct /; and temperateiy, but firm
ly, assuring them of its consequences, and Of the
entire ability of the State and National Govern
ments to protect themselves against any such
insurreetion. About that time the National
Guard was coming into the State. | claim
very little credit for my own cOuDsels,--but as
regiment after regiment was discharged from
the camps, and went to their homes with arms
in their hands, aud well known loyalty in their
hearts, the wave Of rebellion very rapidly sub
sided I; and the cOnspiratOrs who had been the
boldest in their demonstrations Of resistance 60
the laws, were among the first to hurry substi-
tutes into the ranks of the army, or relieve the
State Of their presence in order to avoid the SER
vice they had openly threatened could not be
imposed. The draft went forward promptly,
and in the most peaceable manner. The prose-
cutiOn and abuse of Union citizens ceased at
once. Law and order were again in the ascen-
dant, and no doubt or fear was entertained as
to the perfect ability of the State to maintain
them. And yet no force was used mo con-
siderable body of Wen kept under arms in mill
tary array no parade or exhibition Of armed
forces. But there spread all over our territory
consciousness that the State was prepared for
any emergency that its protectors were ready
at moments warning, and could be implicit
ly relied upon and that the first movement
towards forcible resistance to the laws would
be speedily crushed, entailing It's consequences
upon those who might inaugurate it. II was
peaceful triumph, achieved by the inherent
power of State in its least pretentiOus mani
festation aud its result and consequences of
thousand times more value than the expendi-
ture of the organization and support of the Ma
ttODal Guard has imposed upon the people.
In this connection it win be proper TO advise
you of my action in another branch of the mill
tia system and State defenses. / found the State
without an artillery arm of its own, and with
but one light battery within iis borders, belong
ing tOthe Government which was liabletO move
ment any time out of the State, as it was taken
during the month of August The General |
Government was largely indebted to us in this |
branch OF armament; but the War Department
assured me it was impossible to respond to our
calls. consequently determined TO make this
branch of the State defense matter of immedi-
ate action. ] accordingly contracted for four
batteries of SIX guns each, two of six, and two
Of twelve Founders, with carriages, cassons and
harness complete, Two Of them were furnished |
with one hundred horses each. The expendi-
ture for this purpose from the million appropri-
ton, has been SlO3, $40 80. A battery organi-
zatiOn OF the National Guard was called out at
Camp Dennison, in June, for sixty days; which
was replaced by another in August, for a like |
term. An organization was also called out at
Cleveland in August which was afterwards |
to JOhnsons's Island; and this was |
replaced by another in October. While in the |
service these organizations, except the first one,
were paid and satisfactorily the General Govern |
neDt. As they are not required for winter SER
vice, the last one at Camp Dennison has not
been replaced. The one at JObnson's Island !