Edwin M. Stanton to Edwin M. Stanton, June 12, 1863

Hon. E. M. Stanton: After full consultation this morning, it has been deemed advisable to postpone for ashort period the issuing of general orders, now ready, for recruiting regiments for three years or during the war, in order to fill up speedily the army corps for General Couch. If the organizations for both should be started now, General Couch will be deprived of the best material in the State to make his force efficient, and both branches of the service be delayed. In afew weeks new regiments can be organized by transfer from the Department of the Susquehanna, and by enlistments. No doubt you will readily perceive this to be necessary to accumulate force here, to resist invasion, or cause change in the present supposed plans of the enemy. General Couch fully concurs, and believes the general service will be promoted by this course. A. G. CURTIN, Governor. ~’ Wark DEPARTMENT, ; June 12, 1863—1.55 p. m. Major-General Couc#, Harrisburg: The Department has just received a telegram from Governor Curtin, stating that— On consultation, it has been deemed advisable to postpone for a short period the issuing of general orders for recruiting regiments for three years or during the war, I hope you have had nothing to do with such agreement. The recruiting for three years or during the war should not be postponed an hour. You will spare no effort to carry that recruiting into effect, and be on your guard against giving any assent or countenance to such postponement. If Governor Curtin neglects to act under the authority given to him to recruit for three years, that is his own affair. But you are to give his neglect no countenance or assent, but, on the contrary, do everything in your power to promote the three years’ recruiting. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. WaR DEPARTMENT, June 12, 1863. Governor CurtTIN, Harrisburg: Your dispatch received. The Department cannot sanction any postponement of the order for recruiting for three years’ service, but earnestly urges you to execute without delay the authority given you for that purpose.

EDWIN M. STANTON,