USA > Pennsylvania > Pennsylvania, colonial and federal : a history, 1608-1903, Volume Three > Part 15
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"other grain" referred to, according to Franklin, meant black grains, otherwise gunpowder, and while the assembly would not directly sanction the purchase of munitions of war with its ap- propriations, there is nothing to show that the governor ever was charged with misapplication of public moneys in making use of them for that purpose. But, so far as the assembly was con-
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GEORGE GORDON MEADE Etched for this work by Albert Rosenth. From the photograph by Gutekunst
Estohed by Albert Rosenthal
From Photo by Gutekonst
Copyright by the. Penningtvenun Historical Publishing Association . Philos 190.
Military Affairs
cerned, there was no provision made for raising and maintaining an armed force, that power having been vested in the governor under the terms of the charter.
In 1747, largely through the efforts of Benjamin Franklin, a plan was effected for a military association, which was signed by twelve hundred men of means and prominence in the province, and under this inspiring influence the number was increased to ten thousand. In 1748 the aggregate membership of the "associated companies," by which name the organization soon became known, was twelve thousand, horse, foot and artillery. This notable body was a purely volunteer organization, and was armed and equipped at its own expense, while its officers were selected by the members. Franklin himself was chosen colonel of the Phila- delphia regiment, but being unable to serve, another was elected in his stead. During the French and English wars the associators rendered excellent service in the common defense, and later on, after the adoption of militia regulations, the organization was preserved and constituted the effective forces of the State during the war of the Revolution, as may be seen by reference to subse- quent pages. In 1756 in the city of Philadelphia there were three of these companies with a total of seventeen officers and two hundred and sixty private men ; one troop of horse with five officers and forty men ; and one battery of artillery with three offi- cers and one hundred and fifty men. In Bucks county there were nine companies, with a total of thirty-nine officers and five hun- dred and thirteen men. In York county there were eight com- panies, with twenty-four officers and six hundred forty-two men. In Lancaster county there were nine companies, with twenty-seven officers and five hundred and forty-five men.
In 1775, in a message to the assembly, Deputy Governor Mor- ris informed that body that the province was still without organi- ized militia or necessary means of defense; but notwithstanding the exigencies of the occasion growing out of the war then in progress the legislative body was slow to act. However, after
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Braddock's disastrous defeat the governor gave an order on his receiver-general for £5,000 for the defense of the province, which had the effect to stimulate action by the assembly, and £60,000 were at once voted for "the King's use," but no provision was made for a regularly organized militia, although it was not long deferred. On November 25, the assembly passed "An Act for the better ordering and regulating Such as are willing and de- sirous to be United for Military Purposes within this Province."
The act was provided to continue in force from its adoption until the 30th of October, 1756. It set forth the opposition of the Quakers, who "are principled against bearing arms them- selves," although they do not, "as the world is now circumstanced, condemn the use of arms in others." Under the act it is declared lawful for the freemen of the province to form themselves into companies, "as heretofore they have used in times of war without law." Each company is to choose officers by ballot, a captain, lieutenant and an ensign, who are to be presented to the governor or commander-in-chief for approbation and commission. The companies are to be formed into regiments by the governor.
Another section provides that the governor, or commander- in-chief, and the officers shall meet and make and establish "Ar- ticles of War," conformable to the military laws of Great Brit- ain as established by the last parliament for "punishing mutiny and desertion, the different circumstances of this province com- pared with Great Britain, and of a voluntary militia of freemen, compared with mercenary standing troops, being duly weighed and maturely considered." It is further provided that nothing in the act shall be understood or construed to give power to the governor and officers to make articles or rules that shall in the least affect those of the inhabitants who are "conscienciously scrupluous of bearing arms, either in their liberties, persons or estates, nor any other persons of whatever persuasion or denomi- nation soever, who have not first signed said articles, after due consideration aforesaid." Persons under the age of twenty-one
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years and any bought servant or indentured apprentice is not per- mitted to enroll himself in any company or regiment without con- sent of parents or guardians, masters or mistresses, in writing.
One of the most extraordinary provisions of the act is that which specifies that no regiment or company, or party of volun- teers, shall be compelled or led more than three days' march be- yond the inhabited parts of the province, nor detained longer than three weeks in any garrison without express agreement first voluntarily entered into and subscribed by every man so to march or remain in garrison.
The entire act, while it accomplished the establishment of a temporary military system in the province, was unsatisfactory to the governor, who complained bitterly of its provisions, and char- acterized it as "a senseless, partial and impracticable bill," but he adds, "as it was to continue only until October next, I passed it, with the hope that experience may convince them (the assembly ) that such bills will do infinitely more harm than good." He also says "it is hardly to be expected that the assembly, who are Quakers, will co-operate with the other provinces or defend their own to any material purpose."
On March 29, 1757, less than six months after the expiration of the term of the act just mentioned, the assembly-in which the Quakers had now become a minority only-passed an act for regulating the militia which was more remarkable in its provisions than the former act was unsatisfactory ; and because of the unique character of this second assembly bill for the establishment of a military system in the province, free quotation from its sections is made. First, the bill provides for the compulsory enrollment of all male persons between the ages of seventeen and fifty-five years, with instructions for noting against every name the re- ligious society to which each person belongs, "especially such as are Papists, or reputed Papists."
The lists are to be made by the constables and their assistants, and returned to the sheriff, upon which officer is imposed the duty
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of dividing their respective counties into districts. Each district is to choose its military officers, but especial provision is made that "no Papist, or reputed Papist," shall be allowed to vote for officers or be chosen as such in any district. No person shall be chosen or commissioned captain of a company unless possessed of freehold worth £150, or be otherwise worth £300; lieutenants must possess freehold worth £100, or be otherwise worth £250; and ensigns must possess freehold worth £50, or be otherwise worth £100. Keepers of taverns, tippling-houses, dram-shops, victualing-houses and houses of public entertainment are not to be commissioned as company officers or as colonel, lieutenant-colonel or major of any regiment.
The captains of the several companies are required to receive the lists and prepare muster-rolls, and all persons so enrolled, "not conscienciously scrupling the use of arms," are to be armed with a good musket, fuzee, or other firelock well fixed, a cutlass, bayo- net or tomahawk, a cartouch-box filled with twelve or more cart- ridges of powder, twelve or more sizable bullets, and three good flints ; and thus armed and equipped, each person is required to at- tend muster for training, discipline and military exercise on the first Mondays in the months of June, August, November and March.
The bill also provides that the governor, or commander-in- chief, is to form the companies into regiments, and the company officers and men are to choose for each regiment a colonel, lieuten- ant-colonel and major. Every colonel must possess real estate ' in this province worth £500; every lieutenant-colonel, £400, and every major, £300, or double the value in personal estate in each case. Any number of men not less than seventeen nor more than sixty are authorized, with permission from the colonel, to form themselves into a troop of horse; and any number of men not less than sixty nor more than one hundred, in or near Philadelphia, are authorized to form a company of artillery. Not more than three companies are to be formed for managing the artillery of the province and the battery or fort near the city.
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George Brinton McClellan
Soldier in Mexican and Civil wars; major- general Ohio volunteers, 1861; and of the United States Army, 1861; commander of all the armies of the United States, 1861; com- mander Army of the Potomac, 1862; candidate for president of the United States, 1864; gov- ernor of New Jersey, 1877
Military Affairs
One section of the act provides "that all Quakers, Menonists, Moravians and others conscienciously scrupulous of bearing arms, who shall appear on any alarm with the militia, though without arms, and obey the commands of the officers in extinguishing fires, suppressing insurrection of slaves or other evil-minded per- sons during an attack, in caring for wounded, conveying intelli- gence as expresses or messengers, carrying refreshments to such as are on duty, and in conveying to places of safety women and children, aged, infirm and wounded persons, are free and exempt from the penalties of the act."
Another section provides "that all arms, military accoutre- ments, gunpowder and ammunition of what kind soever, any Papist or reputed Papist within this Province hath or shall have in his house or houses, or elsewhere, one month after publication of this act, shall be taken from such Papist or reputed Papist," etc. ; and further, if any such Papist or reputed Papist shall at- tempt to conceal such arms, military accoutrements, gunpowder and ammunition, as aforesaid, or refuse to declare the same to the justice of the peace, such person so offending shall be imprisoned for the space of three months, "without bail or mainprize." A sub- sequent section says that whereas all Papists and reputed Papists are by the act exempted from performing military duty, but par- take of the benefits and protection thereof, that every male Papist or reputed Papist between the ages of seventeen and fifty-five years shall pay to the captain of the company in the district where he re- sides the sum of twenty shillings. It is also declared that in as much as the British parliament has exempted from military duty all members of the Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, all such are required to pay twenty shillings to the county commissioners.
The records fail to disclose the strength of the militia in the province under the act just mentioned, but one authority states that in 1757 there were in service during the year twenty-nine cannon, fourteen swivels and 4,789 firearms, from which it is in- ferred that the entire military forces at that time numbered be-
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tween 5,000 and 6,000 men. The act was continued in force until the sitting of the assembly in 1758, but the system estab- lished was maintained until after the close of the French and Eng- lish war, in 1763. Subsequently and previous to the outbreak of the Revolution there does not appear to have been any distinct control of military affairs except that exercised by the assembly and the provincial council, and there was no further effective legis- lation in relation to the militia until 1775. On June 30 of that year the assembly by resolution approved of the "association entered into by the good people of the colony for the defense of their lives, liberty and property." At the same time the legislature estab- lished a Committee of Safety, of twenty-five members, to consti- tute a board of war for the purpose of calling into service so many of the associators as was deemed sufficient for each occasion; for paying them, and supplying them with necessaries incident to their service; for providing for the defense of the province against insurrection and invasion, and for encouraging the manufacture of saltpetre. The committee of safety was formally organized July 3, 1775, with Benjamin Franklin as its president, and thence- forth had supreme control of the land and naval forces of the province until October 13, 1777, when its powers were transferred to the body known as the council of safety, the latter comprising the supreme executive council and nine others. The council of safety was continued only to December 6, 1777, and then was dis- solved by proclamation of the supreme executive council, the mili- tary authority then being resumed by that body and the assem- bly.
The associators, previously mentioned, constituted the effect- ive defensive body of the province during the Revolution, and was organized under "Articles of Association of Pennsylvania" with the following compact : "We, the officers and soldiers, engaged in the present association for the defense of American liberty, be- ing fully sensible that the Strength and Security of any Body of Men, acting together, consists in just regularity, due subordina-
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John Fulton Reynolds
Soldier; commander State defence militia dur- ing Maryland campaign; commissioned major- general of volunteers, 1862; colonel 5th United States infantry, 1863; commander left wing on first day at Gettysburg and was killed soon after placing his men
Military Affairs
tion, and exact obedience to command, without which no indi- vidual can have that confidence in the support of those about him, that is so necessary to give firmness and resolution to the whole, Do Voluntarily and freely, after consideration of the following articles, adopt the same as the Rules by which we agree and re- solve to be Governed in all our Military concerns and operations until the same, or any of them, shall be changed or dissolved by the Assembly, or Provincial Convention, or in their recess by the Committee of Safety, or a happy reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and the Colonies."
The articles comprise thirty-two sections, and are signed by all the members. So nearly as possible all the exigencies of the war were contemplated in framing the sections, and full provision was made for complete military discipline and regulation.
During the Revolution the associators comprised one of the most efficient bodies of men in the service and were the mainstay and support of Pennsylvania during that long struggle. The aggregate number of men on the rolls was more than 35,000, al- though not all were constantly under arms. In 1775 the effect- ive militia of the province numbered 5,998 men, of whom 5,000 were associators, comprising ten battalions. Besides these there were 600 men of the Pennsylvania battalion and 398 in the naval service. In 1776 the associators comprised fifty-three battalions
and a total of 25,000 men. The other forces of the year were the Pennsylvania line, enlistments for one year, 6,000 men ; the Fly- ing camp of 6,000 men ; in privateer service, 1, 137 men, and in Pennsylvania navy, 2,190 men. In 1777 the associators were diffused through various branches of the military forces, the lat- ter then comprising the Pennsylvania line, three years men, 7,800; the militia, 2,500; the rangers, on three calls, 7,500 ; the Pennsyl- vania navy, one year men, 1,500; the continental navy, 350; and privateers, 164. Total number in service for the year, 19,814.
. In 1778 the total forces comprised 14,514 men, divided sub- stantially as follows: Frontier rangers, 7,500; militia, 1,500;
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A continental line, 1,200; seven-months men, 1,800; eighteen- months men, 720; privateers, 1.314; navy, 480. In 1779 the total number of militiamen in service was 1,500; rangers, 3,420; recruits to serve during the war, 1,230; seven-months men, 375; continental navy and privateers, 4,665; Pennsylvania navy, 250. In 1780 the total was 10,699, comprising militiamen enlisted for three years, 1,350; frontier rangers, 4,400; continental navy and privateers, 2,809 ; regular militia, 1,260 ; seven-months men, 600; Pennsylvania navy, 280. In 1781 the rangers numbered 3,080; the Pennsylvania militia, 1,375 ; re-enlistments, 700; continental navy and privateer service, 4,322 ; Pennsylvania navy, 195, total, 9,672. In 1782 the total forces were diveded as follows : Ran- gers, 2,640; militia, 450; recruits for service outside the State, 550: Pennsylvania navy, 217; continental navy and privateers, 1,953 : total, 5,810. In 1783 the total was 2,210, viz. : Rangers, 1,760 ; militia, 450.
The grand total of men in all arms of service, under various calls to duty, during the period of the Revolution, was 120,514. This, however, is an estimated aggregate, due to the imperfect manner in which records were kept during the early years of the war, the brief periods of service of many bodies of militia and the fact that many men were inder arms of whose service no record whatever was kept.
Frequently during the war for independence the legislature passed acts for regulating the military forces of the Common- wealth, but in most cases the laws adopted were for temporary purposes, necessitated by the exigencies of the period, and all were repealed by the more formal act of 1780. The date of passage of these laws were March 17, 1777, June 19, 1777, December 30, 1777, and April 5. 1779. The act of March 30, 1780, entitled "An Act for the regulation of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," was the first approach toward the establishment of the military system of the State upon a practical basis, and pro- vided for the maintenance of militia companies in every county,
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Franz Sigel
Mathematician; educator; soldicr; editor; com- missioned major-general 1862; commander Pennsylvania Reserve 1863; commander de- partment of the Army of West Virginia 1864
Military Affairs
the division of the State into districts containing not less than 400 nor more than 1,000 men each, the enrollment of all male white persons between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three years, the appointment of lieutenants and sub-lieutenants for each com- pany, and the formation of companies of infantry, artillery and horse. In 1783 a supplemental act modified many of the pro- visions of the former act and made more specific regulations for the discipline and maintenance of the troops. As then estab- lished, the military laws were continued in force until 1793, when they were superseded by other and more adequate legislative en- actments.
The act of April 11, 1793, was authorized by the constitution of 1790. It repealed all former laws relating to the militia and served as the foundation on which the present splendid mili- tary establishment has been built up. The preamble to the enact- ing clause reads as follows: "Whereas, a well regulated militia is the only safe and constitutional method of defending a free State: and whereas the several laws enacted by the legislature of this Commonwealth, for the regulating of the militia thereof, have been found to require material alterations, in order to which it has been thought more advisable to revise the whole system than to amend it by supplementary statutes, therefore be it enacted," etc.
The act provides that each and every able-bodied white male citizen between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years (with certain specified exceptions) shall severally be enrolled in the mili- tia ; that the militia shall be divided into divisions, brigades, regi- ments, battalions and companies, shall be armed, and must appear on exercise days. The provision for officers is as follows: To each division, one major-general and two aids-de-camp with rank of major ; to each brigade, one brigadier-general, with one brigade inspector, to serve also as brigade-major with rank of major; to each regiment, one lieutenant-colonel commandant; to each bat- talion, one major ; to each company of infantry, one captain, one
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lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drummer, and one fifer or bugler ; that there shall be a regi- mental staff, to consist of one adjutant, and one quartermaster, to rank as lieutenants, one paymaster, one surgeon, one surgeon's mate, one sergeant-major, one drummajor, and one fifemajor ; to each company of artillery, one captain, two lieutenants, four ser- geants, four corporals, six gunners, six bombardiers, one drum- mer, and one fifer ; to each troop of horse, one captain, two lieu- tenants, one cornet, four sergeants, four corporals, one saddler, one farrier and one trumpeter.
The act also provides for one adjutant-general for the whole militia. The adjutant-general, major-general, brigadier-general and brigade inspector are to be appointed and commissioned by the governor. It is made the duty of the adjutant-general to dis- tribute to the several corps all orders from the governor, as com- mander-in-chief of the militia of the State; to attend all public re- views when the governor shall review the militia; to obey all or- ders from the commander-in-chief relating to carrying into effect and perfecting the military discipline established by the act. The act contains nineteen rules for regulating the militia, but a recital of their contents is not deemed necessary in this article.
In 1799, by an act passed April 9, many of the provisions of previous acts were repealed and new regulations were established for the military department ; the territory of the State was set off into divisions and two "colours," or standards, were adopted for use in the militia service. On April 6, 1802, an act was passed to take effect August I, which repealed the militia laws then in force, but which re-enacted many of the provisions of the act of 1799. Under the new act the militia forces of the State were separated into divisions consisting of two brigades; brigades consisting of not less than four regiments; regiments comprising two battalions ; battalions comprising not less than four companies exclusive of a flank company ; and companies of not less than sixty-four nor more than one hundred privates.
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The regimental "colours" provided for under this act, to be fur- nished by the State, are particularly described as follows: "The length of staff to be nine feet, and surmounted with brass spears; the fly of each of said colours to be six feet, six inches in length, and four feet, six inches on the staff ; on the fly of one, to be made of dark blue colored silk, is to be painted an American eagle, with
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General Meade's Headquarters
On Tarrytown road, Gettysburg. Engraved especially for this work from a negative by W. HI. Tipton
expanded wings, supporting the arms of the State," "or some striking part thereof;" in the upper corner, next to the staff, shall be inserted in white letters or figures, the number of the regiment and the word "Pennsylvania" encircled and ornamented with thir- teen white stars. The fly of the other color is to be composed of thirteen red and white alternate stripes, with the upper corner next to the staff colored and appropriated as has been mentioned. Each color is to have two silk tassels.
In regulating the uniform, or "military dress." the act pro- vides for the infantry, light infantry and cavalry, a blue coat faced
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with red, with linings and buttons of white; for the artillery a blue coat faced and lined with red, with yellow buttons; for the gen- eral and staff officers, except regimental staff, blue faced with buff ; for the regimental staff, the uniform of the regiment to which they belong. The cockade to be worn by the militia shall be blue and red.
The arms1 of the militia are provided for as follows : The commissioned officers of the infantry, light infantry, grenadiers and riflemen shall severally and at their own expense be armed with a sword or hanger, and an espontoon ; and the artillery, with a sword or hanger, a fuzee, bayonet and belt, and a cartridge box to contain at least twelve cartridges. The commissioned offi- cers of the several troops are to provide themselves with good horses, at least fourteen and one-half hands high, and shall be armed with a sword and a pair of pistols, the holsters of which are to be covered with bearskin caps. Each light-horse man, or dragoon, must provide himself with a serviceable horse, at least fourteen and one-half hands high, a good saddle, bridle, mail- pilion and valise, holsters covered with bearskin caps, a brass plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs, a pair of pistols, a sabre, and a cartridge box to contain at least twelve pistol cartridges.
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