Year: 1861

prompt repayment. That resource was


found amply sufficient, and l desire now,


on behalf of the whole State, in this pub


lie manner, to thank those public spirited


gentlemen who came forward with such


promptness TO aid me with their money


and their advice in that emergency.---


You, gentlemen of the two houses, will


take care that no man suffers in the small


est degree in consequence Of his generos-


ity in that respect.


The people answered the call for volun-


teers with such enthusiasm and alacrity


rs will forever be an honor both TO them


and the government under which we live.


In just nine days from the time when the


call of the President was received, the


ten companies, composing the first regi-


ment were full, and the officers commits


stoned; in one day more the second reg


iment was in like manner organized. On


the 30th day of the same month of April,


both the regiments were in camp in De-


troit, in good order and in fine condition.


When it is taken into account that at


the time the President called for one reg


iment of infantry from Michigan there


was not anything like full regiment in


the State, nor even single company with


the full compliment of men required by


the call, and that there was no money in


the treasury that could be used for militia


ry purposes, / am more than satisfied with


the progress made.


|


For q more detailed account of the
present condition of the military forces, l


refer you to the report of the Adjutant


General, John Robertson, which will be


laid before you, and of whose efficiency 1


have occasion to speak in the highest


terms.


In the choice of companies to compose


the first and second regiments, some en-


barrassment was felt in consequence of the


great competition between them TO be in


cluded therein, arising chiefly from the


fact that many of our fellow-citizens either


did not understand the statute under
which we were acting, or in their zeal re-
} fused to recognize its justice. That stat
, ute left me no discretion, but absolutely
required me TO select first such compan-
les of the uniformed militia of the State
as might be offered, and these were near
{ ly sufficient to answer the entire CALL


The people, however, will not be satisfied
with the two regiments provided by law,
r and already full companies enongh have
| been formed to fill at least three more reg
5 iments, while the business of recruiting
goes on as briskly as at first. They rec
ognize the fact that the struggle is immi-
: nent and great-that the existence of the
| government is involved in its success. II
! had not been really believed by our coun-
| trymen of the free States that such a gov
. ernment rs this could be broken up by
those who had grown great and rich un-
der its benign protection; but the attack
: upon Fort Sumpter, and the fall of that
: stronghold, reused them like the shock Of
5 an earthquake! All previous political
, differences were at once forgotten, party
! lines obliterated, and the whole mass o.
2 the people seized their arms and demand
, to be at once led forth TO battle against
] this most foul and unnatural rebellion
{ They are not satisfied with an army o.
t $4,000 men, and they mean to quadru
/ pie it. They call upon the President O
a the United States to abandon at once and
j. forever the policy of mere defence of the
: national forts and property, and immedi
e ately to take the field TO punish the trait.
n ors who are in arms against their country


81 tA
0 tional obedience. A dishonored flag and
r gallant little band, driven forth with fire
o and sword from national fortress, cal
g for speedy redress, and the people of The
i country declare that they shall get it.
! 1t has been thought best in all respects
Q that the troops to 90 from Michigan into
the service of the United States should
: be fully armed, equipped and uniformed


before they leave the State. So far, thi'
g has boen, believe, well and economically
n done, and the two regiments are prepared
S to march to the assistance of the the ma
J. tional government in condition immedi


ately to take the field, and, if need be, t
il fight battle. They are under command
II of the most intelligent and thoroughly ed
Il ucated officers, several Of whom have seer
l. previous and honorable service in the ar
If my of the United States. Both officers
C and men are rapidly perfecting themselves
n in military drill and warlike SCIENCE
+ Thev are gallant citizens from all th,
:, walks of life, who 90 forth TO fight, no
IL for conquest, but for liberty, security anC
y peace. l look to see them return bearing
@ the laurel wreath Of victory.


If Though the President has thus Ear call
If cd for but one regiment from this State
n there can be little doubt that he will Fl
: nally ask for several more, and it will b,
1t your duty TO provide amply in all respect
IS Cor meeting promptly and efficiently suel
i demand. / recommend, therefore, tha
o the law of your late session, authorizing
l. the raising of two regiments, be so amend
$ ed as to authorize calling Immediately in
o to the field for drill, and placing on a wa
, footing, four more regiments, making ii
:, NIL six, with power, in case OF emergency