The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-02-08

Soi'0u nun tHe OHieIS OF the DEPART
ments aud officers of my personal staff.
Anapproxlmate judSmeu of the amount
OF labor performed by these departments,
aud In the Office of the Secretary of tho
Commonwealth, may be made, when it is
stated that over forty-three thousand (43.-
OOO) military commissions were Issued
during the war.
The first request for troops from this
State was dated at Washington, on tho
10th April, 1861, and on the 10Th the
telegraph announced to the War Depart :.
ment that over 1000 men were at Harris
burg, awaiting marching orders.
1t Is our proud privilege to have it
remembered, that the first military aid
from the loya: States, which reached
Washington, was the force of 460 Penn
syivanians, who arrived there on the 18th
day OF April, and that, when the Canital
OF the Nation was the second time threat
ened, after the battle of Bull Run, the
regiments of the Penhsylvania Reserve
Corps, were the first troops sent forward.
From the beginning of the war to its
close, the State has never faItered in its
support of the Government.
Proceeding In the strict line of duty.
the resources of Pennsylvania, whether in
men or money, have neither been withheld
nor squandered. The history of the con-
duct of our people in the field is illumina-
ted. with incidents of heroism worthy of
conspicuous notice but it would be i'm
possible to mention them In the proper
limits OF message without doing inius-
tice, or perhaps making invdious distinc-
tons. Arrangements are In progress TO
have complete history of our regiments,
such as has been contemplated and is
provided for In an act of Assembly already
passed and on this subject | commend
the report OF the Executive Military De-
partment to your favorable consideration.
1t would be alike impossible TO furnish a
history of the associated benevolence and
of the large individual contributions to tho
comfort of our people in the field and hos
pital, or of the names and services, at all
times. OF our volunteer surgeons, when
called to assist in the hospital or on the
battlefield ; nor is it possible to do justice
to the many PATRIOTIC Christian men who
were always ready to respond when sum.
moned 10 the exercise of acts of humanity
and beneyolence.
Cur armies were sustained and strength
ened in the feld by the patriotic devotion
of their friends at home and we can new
cr render fell justice TO the heayen-direc-
| ted, patriotic, Christian benevolence of the
women Of the State.
During the war, | had occasion, from
! time to time, TO communicate freely with
the Legislature on subjects bearing upon
the Interests OF the men representing tho
State In the armies of the Republic
It is with sense OF unfeigned gratitude
that acknowledge how cheerfully and
promptly the Legislature and the people
acted upon my suggestions, whether for
| the support OF the government, the en-
listment and organization of troops, or for
the comfort Of our people already IN the
field
Without this generous confidence and lib
eral support, the lahors of the Executive
would have been in vain the treasure
that has been expended would have been
wasted, precious lives lost would have
been an empty sacrifice, the bruised hearts
of kindred and friends woulQ have beea
without solscc, the strong men, whose
health has been broken and whose bodies
have been manned, would have been mon
uments of heroism wasted, and the honor
of this great Commonwealth would have
been degraded amidst the fallen ruins Of
the institutions OF tho republic
The report Of the Hon. Thomas II.
Burrows shows the gratifying result, un-
der his active management, of the system
adopted 5y the State for the maintenance
ard education of the orphans of our SOL
diers. His report exhibits the fact, that
1912 orphans are now actually admitted
to the schools, and that 1876 appiica.
tons in all have been allowed, and orders
issued for their admission, many of whom
have been admitted since his report. It
will also be seen, that the largest appro-
priation that ever will be required, will
be fer this and the two ensuing years,
and that the amount will be gradually re-
duced. l have heretofore commended
this charity to you, and deem it un
necessary to add another word, in ask
ing continuance of an appropriation,
which Is to provide for and educate the
best blood OF the State, aud support tho
living legaces which have been beq2eath
ed us by the men who have laid down
their lives for the country. When We
remember that every sort OF public aud
private pledge that the eIoquemce OF
man could devise or utter, was given to
our soldiers as they went forward, that
if they fell, their orphans should be-
come the children of the State, [ eau
not for an instant suppose, that you will
hesitate to continue an appropriation,
which is to bless their little ones, proyi
ding comfortable homes, instead of lear
ing them in want aud destitution, many
I'll fail