The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-02-09


The ardOr of our people was unabated.
Many Of thecOmpanies, undermy0rder,
had arrived in campat Harrisburg, and
others maintained their organizations
at home at their own expense, and by
contributions from their neighbOrS and
friends.
IN the critical condition of the conn
try, and anticipating that, in case OF
reverse to our arms, the borders of
Pennsylvania would be the portals TO
the rich granaries, manufactures and
store houses of the North, ! deemed it
my duty TO convene the Legislature,
that adequate provision might be made
To enable me to render the military
power Of the State as available and eff
Cient as it should be, for the common
defence of the State and the General
Government; and accordingly, on the
20th OF April, 1861, issued my proclana-
tion, calling for Il meeting Of the Gen
eraI Assembly, on the 30th of the same
month.
In my message 10 the Legislature at
it, opening, / recommended the imne-
djate organization, di~clplining and
arning Of ut least fifteen regiments,
exclusive of those called into the>arVice
of the United States.
The Legislature acted promptly upon
this suggestion, and made full provision
for its etlectual accomplishment. The
result was the early and complete
organization, clothing, arming and
equipment0f the PENNSYLVANIA Reserve
volunteer corps, with its thirteen regi-
mpnts ofinfantry, one Of light artillery,
and one of cavalry, under the SupcrVi-
sion OF George \. Mccall, who was Sc
lected to command ii. with the commits
sion and rank OF Major General. This
corps contained Il, 5,Sj6 men, and the
whole expense of raising. clothing, sub
sisting and paying them, until their
entry INTO the United States service,
was $500, III 81. They were encamped
in different parts of the State, excepting
two Of the regiments, commanded by
Colonies Charles J. Biddle and Seneca
g. Simmons, and two battcriC, of artil-
lery. under the command OF Colonel
Charles I. Campbell, which, at the re-
quest Of the War Department. were sent
on the I'D Of June, 1861, 10 the relief Of
Colonel Wallace, at Cumberland, Md,
and remained Orabout six weeks there,
active operations. Towards the close
Of July the whole corp, was called for
and taken. on Il requisitiOn, into the
service Of the tniied States. Within
four days after the disaster at Bull Run,
eleven regiments. in all respects ready
for active service, We're in Washington
and Baltimore.
The troops sent to Western Virginia
We're recalled, and with the other two
regiments Of the corps. forwarded TO
Washington.
On the 18th of July, 1851, the Secre-
tary OF War expressed his qualification
and thanks for the prompt response
from Pennsylvania.
The wisdom Of the Legislature in
providing for the formation Of this
corps, for the interests of the State and
nation, was fully shown by subsequent
events. Most of the men who filled its
ranks igdd been aCTepteu ny me undEf
hecaii for rtWenty-fiveregimen which
was afterwards rc~cinded.
They had left their families and homes
under a deep sense Of duty to their
country, and to have sent them back
unaccepted would have caused serious
difficulty in making future enlist
ment~.
Byaci~ OF congress Of 22d and 25th
of July, 1861, the President was au-
thorized TO call upon the several States
for volunteers to serve for three wears.
Under this authority acquisitions were
made ON this State. and fourteen regi-
ments were promptly furnished. In
the meantime authorities had been
granted by the President and the War
Department TO Il number OF lnhVldu-
ais to raise regiments in different parts
of the State, which seriously mterte-
red with the action Of the STATE author
tiles in filling acquisitions regularly
made under the acts Of Congress.
The embarraSoments arising from
this conflict Of authorities became at
length 50 serious that | was cOnstrain-
ed 10 call the attention Oi the President
and Secretary Of War to the subject, by
a communication. dated the 81 of Au-
gust. 1861, and on the 18th of Septem-
ber following, an order was issued re-
Quiring 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 consolidated and SeVenty-three
regiments, with an aggregate strength
Of S9,0in men were promptly sent for
ward.
During the year 1862 a draft was or
dcred by the General Government,
which was executed under the state
authorities.
OF the quota of the State, under the
call Of July :, 1862, fOrty-three regi-
ments of volunteers, aggregatng 40
3S3 men. were put into service, and un-
der thedraft. ordered August lth of the
same year, fifteen regiments, contain
ing an aggregate force of 5000 men,
organized and sent forward During
thesane period nine independent bat
terieS Of artillery We're 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, un-
der such trying circumstances, in press,
inc. the troops forward, was such a. tC
call from the President especial thanks
and to request me to express them tC
the people Of the State.
During the year 1868, forry-thref
thousand and fOrty-siN 1905 men
were furnished for the service, princi.
pally to till regiments in the field which
had been reduced by the eXigencies o
the war.
During the year 1861, under the Va
riouS calls OF the General Government
/ thirty-tWo regiments, two battalion,
and eight unattached companies Of diff
! ferent arms of the service and for va
rious periods, were organized and sen
/ to the field, aggregating, with re-en