W. M. A. Buckingham to Edwin M. Stanton, June 15, 1863

(Received 8.35 a. m.) Hon. E. M. Stanton: Governor and adjutant-general not returned from Vicksburg. Have telegraphed your dispatch to Memphis. This State has few militia organizations. Three or four six-months’ regiments could be raised in twenty days. One battalion of cavalry here ready for field excepting horse equipments. HARRISBURG, June 15, 1863. (Received 3.50 p. m.) I do not believe that you can get troops in time under your call for six months, but if you authorize General Couch to accept them for the emergency, a very large force will be on hand immediately. NEw YorK, Jwne 15, 1863. (Received 4.45 p. m.) His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President: Have you considered the question of calling upon the Governor of New York at once for such number of militia regiments as can be spared from this city, to garrison the Defenses of Washington? I suppose 10,000 such could march on very short notice. Wak DEPARTMENT, June 15, 1863—7.30 p. m. Governor Top, Columbus, Ohio: Care must be taken not to establish too many places of rendezvous for troops and arms. It is deemed safer to concentrate in large masses at few points for organization; otherwise troops, arms, and supplies will be greatly exposed to detached forces moving rapidly against them. The movement of the enemy is in concentrated force with their whole army, which will operate in strong detachments. Wak DEPARTMENT, June 15, 1863—7.30 p. m. The President has referred your telegram to me for answer. No one can tell how long the present emergency for troops in Pennsyl142 N. ©, V. A. W. V. A. M. D., P. A., ETC. [Cuap. XXXIX, vania may continue. The present movement is but the execution of the theater of war. The rebels are encouraged by the hope of assistance and encouragement held out to them by opposition to the war and resistance to the enrollment in Pennsylvania. The law has fixed the period for which troops shall be called. If the emergency is over before that time, they can be discharged; but as human roi cannot say how long it may take to drive out the rebels, especially if they should find aid and comfort in Pennsylvania, the President thinks he must obey the law. NorwicuH, Conn., June 15, 1863. (Received 8.05 p. m.) I regret that we have not in Connecticut an organized militia which can be turned over to the President. Whether volunteers can probably be obtained I will advise you to-morrow.

W. M. A. BUCKINGHAM,