Year: 1861

In response to the call Of the General
Government for Military aid in defense
Of Federal authority and Federal proper
ty, the State of Iowa has furnished three
regiments of Infantry, who are encamp-
ed at the rendezvous designated by the
War Department, undergoing the neces-
sary preparatory discipline for active
service. Two Of the Regiments, the
Second and Third, enlisted for the term
of three years. or during the continu-
ance of the War while the First, organ
lied under the first call for volunteers,
were enrolled only for the period of three
months. At the expiration Of their term
of service the companies composing this
Regiment will be at liberty to disband.
or re-enroll and re organize for the full
term of service. Until these Regiments
were fully accepted as a portion Of tho
United States Army, the responsibility
of providing for their subsistence de-
volved upon the State authorities.


During the late extra Session of the
General Assembly an Act was passed,
authorizing and empowering the Govern
or to organize two Regiments of Infan-
try, one Battalion of Artillery, one
Squadron of Cavalry, and one Regiment
Of Mounted Rifemen, which force, in
whole or in part, was intended for the
protection of the inhabitants of the from
tier Counties from marauding parties Of
Indians or Southern Insurgents, and to be
held also as a reserve force for the assist
ance of the United States Government.
These volunteer organizations will be
called into requisiton as the necessities
Of the State or National Government may
be developed. In order. however, that
men shall be Withdrawn from the pur-
suits Of Productive Industry for those Of
War, no faster than the public security
shall render imperative. would suggest
that volunteer companies be organized
for purposes of drill, merely, in each
county having sufficient population.
Without alb ndonment Of business or alb
sence from home, the elementary disc-
pline of military education can be thus
thoroughly acquired, SO that when the
companies SO drilled shall be mustered
into service, they will be qualified with
little additional experience for the prac-
tical duties of the field.


Military movements, even when most
economically conducted are necessarily
expensive, and the burden liable 10 bear
heavily upon the industrial classes. If
the means for prosecuting the war, how
ever, be promptly furnished, the power
OF the Governmental Authorities 10 spec
dily conquer Peace, will be increased.
That our brave Volunteers who have al
ready assumed. or who may soon assume.
the responsibilities and perls of military
life, may be rendered as comfortable As
possible during their term of service.
and permitted to return TO their homes
at an early day, earnestly appeal to the
property holders of the State 10 aid in
the prompt payment of delinquent taxes.
We have Men. brave and true, in super
abundance. There is Money due the
State Treasury sufficient 10 meet the pre-
sent legal demand upon the General Fund
for Civil and Military purposes. and pay
OF large portion of the State indebted
ness but while sum exceeding S4OO.
600 OF former levies is in arrears, the
! LAeeuuNe department OF the State IS
rendered comparatively powerless, and
the military service subjected TO extreme
mbarrassments. Will the patriotic mas
ses of Iowa, in their individual capacity,
see 10 il that this barrier to effective mil
itary service shall be as speedily as pos
sible removed?


| have been induced to make the fore
going sug gestons in this manner because
OF my belief that the People Of the State
would cordially Co operate with me in
any honest, prudent endeavor to advance
the public interest. While only few
may be permitted to endure the hard
slips and face the hazards OF the camp.
and TO meet the foe in the shock of bat
tie, each citizen, in this hour of our Ma
sional necessities has public obligation
to discharge. and it may be as effective
ly Cancelled while in the prosecution Of
the peaceful pursuits of industry, as at
the most hazardous posts of duty.


SAMUEL j. kIRKWOOD.
] Des Moines, june IL 1861