The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-02-08
,BURG. PA, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 8. 1866

1t will be remembered that this patri-
otic action of the Legislature occurred
before it was known that hostilities had
actually commenced-and it is believed
to be the first offieial action by the authori-
ties of any State, or by the National
Legislature.
The FIRST call made by the President for
troops to aid in suppressing the rebellion,
was on the 18th of April, 1861, for seven
ty-ive thousand men and that OF this
number, the quota of Pennsylvania was
settled at fourteen regiments, to serve
three months unless sooner discharged.
With unsurpassed .aiacrity and earnest
ness, volunteers answered to this call, in
such numbers as manifested the intuitive
conviction of the people, that the mon
trous wickedness which had conceived an
armed rebellion against the Constitution
and the laws, could no: be suppressed but
By a colossal force.
Major General Robert Patterson was
assigned, by the General Government, to
command, which included the forces
raised in Pennsylvania. Within a week
after the call of the President, communi-
cation with Washington was almost entire
ly cut off, General Patterson, prompted
by the necessities Of the situation, made,
on the 18th of April, a requisition for
twenty-five additional regiments of infan-
try and one of cavalry, to be forthwith
mustered into the service Of the United
States. Under this requisition | accep.
| ted, from amongst the many pressing to
be admitted into the service, sufficient
number of companies to fiji it; care be-
ing taken to allow each county, as nearly
as possible, fair representation. Only
eleven regiments, however, in addition to
the fourteen called for by the President,
were organized and mustered into the SER
vice, before the order of General Pattcr-
son was countermanded by him, under
instructions from the War Department.
On the 14th day of May, 1861, the
| Secretary Of War, in letter communica-
! ting the plan Of organization, for three
years regiments, confirmed the revocation
of the order in the following language :
I" Ten regiments are assigned to Penusyl-
vania, making in addition to the thirteen
! regiments of three months militia, al
ready called for, twenty three regiments.
! Ii is important to reduce rather than eu-
large this number, and In no event to ex-
ceed 1t. Jet me recommend to you, there
| fore, to call for no more than twenty-ttree
regiments, Of which only ter are to serve
during the war, and If more are already
called for, to reduce the number by dis
charge"
The twenty-five regiments raised as
above stated, comprised 20,979 men,
The ardor of our people was uuabated
Many of the companies, under my order,
had arrived in camp at Harrisburg, and
others maintained their organizations o.
home at their own expense, aud by con-
triouticns from their neighbors and
| friends
In the critical condition of the country,
and anticipating that. in case of reverse
| 20 our arms, the borders of PENNSYLVANIA
would be the portals to the rich granar-
| les, manufactures and store-houses of the
| North, [ deemed it my duty to convene
the Legislature, that adequate provisions
might be made TO enable me to render
the military power of the State as availa-
| ble and efficient as it should be, for the
common defense Of the State and Gener-
| al Government; and accordingly, on the
10th OF April, 1861, issued my procia-
ton, calling for meeting of the General
| Assembly, on the Both, OF the same
| month.
In my message to the Legislature at its
opening, recommended the immediate
organization, dicipliuing and arming of at
least fifteen regiments, exclusive of those
called into the service of the United
States.
The Legislature acted promptly upon
this suggestion, and made full provision
for Its effectual accomplishment The
result was the early and complete organi-
za.lon, clothing and equipment of the
Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps,
with its thirteen. regiments of infantry,
one of light artillery and one of cavalry,
under the supervision of George A.
M'Call, who was selected to command it,
with the commission and rank of Major
General. This corps contained 1886
men, and the whole expense of raising,
clothing, equipping, subsisting and pay
ing them, until their entry into the Uni
ted States service, was 1856 ,444 81
They were encamped in different parts
of the State, except two of the regiments,
commanded by Coloncls Chas. j. Biddie
and Seneca G. Simmons, and two batter
les of artillery, under the command OF
/ Colonel Charles L. Campbell, which at
the request OF the War Department, were
sent on the 22d of June, 1861, to the re-
lief Of Colonel Wallace at Cumberland,
Maryland, and remained for about six
weeks there, and in Western Virginia,
engaged in active operations. Towards
the close of July the whole corps was cal
led for aud taken, on a requisi1ion, into
the service of the United States. With