Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-02-07

| by discharge.
| The twenty-five regiments raised as above
stated, comprised 20,979 men, The ardor
OF our people was unabated Many OF the
companies, under my order, had arrived IN
camp at Harrisburg. and Others maintained
their organizations at home at their own ex-
! pense, and By constitutions from their
neighbors and friends.
! In the critical condition of the country,
and anticipating that, in case of reverse to
our arms, the borders of Pennsylvania would
be the portals to the rich granaries, manu-
factories and store houses of the North, /
deemed it my duty to convene the Legisla-
ture, that adequate provision might be
made to enable me to render the military
power OF the State rs available and efficient
as it should be- for the common defense of
the State ant the General Government and
accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1861 issued
my proclamation, calling for the meeting of
The General Assembly. on the 30th of the
same month.
In my message to the Legislature at its
opening l recommended the Immediate or
ganization, discipiining and arming of at least
fifteen regiments, exclusive of those called in
to the service of the United States.
The Legislature acted promptly upon this
suggestion, and made full provisions for its
effectual accomplishment. The result was
the early aud complete organization, clothing
ana equipment of the Pennsylvania Reserve
Volunteer Corps, withits thirteen regiments
of infantry, one of light artillery and one OF
cavalry, under the supervision of George A.
VI Call, who was selected to command it,
with the commission and rank of Major Cen
arai This corps contained 1886 men, ,and
the whole expense of raising. clothing, equip
ing, subsisting and paying them, until their
entry into the United States service. was
$S55.444 81. They were encamped IN dit
farent parts of the State, except two OF the
regiments, commanded by Colonels Cbas. j.
Bidde and Seneca G. Simmons, and two
batteries Of artillery. under the command Of
Col Chas [. Campbell, which, at. the request
OF the War Department, were sent on the
22d OF June, 1861, to the relief OF Colonel
Wallace, at Cumberland, Maryland, and re-
| uainsd for about six weeks there, and in
Western Virginia, engaged in active opera
tions. Toward, the close OF July the whole
corps rg..s called Tor and taken. on a requisi-
ton into the servica OF the { hfted Srftes:s
Within four days after the disaster at Bull
| Rrn. eleven regiments, in all respects ready
for active service, were in Washington and
| Baltimore
The troops sent to Western Virginia were
recalled, aud with the other two regiments
Of the corps. fUrwardcd TO Washington.
On the 10Th of July, 1881, the Secretary of
War expressed his eradication and thanks
for the prompt response from Pennsylvania
'ihe wisdom Of the Legislature IN proyid
ing f;or the formation OF tins corps, for the IN
| yerestS of the State and the Nation, was fully
shown by subsequent events. Most oil the
| men who filed its ranks, had been accepted
! by me under the call for TWENTY-FIVE regi-
ments. but which was afterwards resclnded.
| a deep sense of duty to their country, and to
| have sent then back unaccepted would have
caused serious difficulty in making future
enistneutS.
By acts of Congress of 22d and 25th of
July, 1861, the President was authorized to
call upon the several States for volunteers to
serve for three years Uunder this authori-
| ty acquisitions were made on this State, and
| fourteen regiments were promptly furnished.
| In the meantime authorities had been grant
ed by the President and the War Depart
ment to number of individuals to raise
regiments in different parts OF the State,
| which seriously interfered with the action
| of the State authorities in filing acquisitions
regularly made under the acts OF Congress.
The embarrassmenJs arising from this con
| fict of authorities became at length SO serI-
Gus that was constrained TO call the atten-
/ ton of the President and Secretary OF War
! to the subject, by communication, dated
/ the Ist of August, 1861, and on the 25th OF
| September following, an order was issued
requiring these independent regiments to
] report to the Governor, and placing them
/ under his authority and control. Acting
under this order, many of the independent
regiments were filled up, Others consolidat-
ed, aud seventy-three regiments, with an
/ aggregate strength OF S9,Oio men, were
promptly sent forward.
During the year 1862 a draft was ordered
by the General Government, which was exc
| cuted under the State authorities. OF the
Quota of the State, under the call of July /,
/ 1862, forty three regiments OF volunteers,
aggregating 40, 1888 men. were put into ser
vice, and under the draft, ordered August
4th of the same year fifteen regiments, con-
/ tanning an aggregate force of $4,000 men,
or ganized and sent forward During the
same period nine independent batteries OF
artillery were organized in the State, with
an aggregate strength of 35S officers and
! men. 1t will be remembered that the ar
dor and promptness of our people, under
/ such trying circumstances, in pressing the
troops forward. was such as to call from the
President especial thanks and to request me
to express them to the people of the State.
/ During the year 1868. forty three thou
sand and forty six (45, 046l men were furn-
ished for the service, principally to fill regl,
! tments in the field which had been reduced
4 by the exigeueiess of the war.
4 During the year 1854. under the various
! calls Of the General Government, thirty
two regiments, two battaions and eight uI-
! attached companies of different. arms OF the
service and for various periods, were organ
4 lied and sent to the field, aggregating, with
! - ,,,Sl,,t ,lopts IN th, field amounting to