Doc. 79-invasion of Pennsylvania.
Proclamation of Governor Curtin.
in the name and by the authority of the Com monwealth of Pennsylvania, Andrew Curtin, Governor of said Commonwealth.
A Proclamation.
Pennsylvanians: The enemy is advancing in force into Pennsylvania.
He has a strong column within twenty-three miles of Harrisburgh, and other columns are moving by Fulton and Adams counties, and it can no longer be doubted that a formidable invasion of our State is in actual.progress.
The calls already made for volunteer militia in the exigency have not been met as fully as the crisis requires.
I therefore now issue this my proclamation, calling for sixty thousand men to come promptly forward to defend the State.
They will be mustered into the service of the State for a period of ninety days, but will be required to serve only so much of the period of muster as the safety of our people and honor of our State may require.
They will rendezvous at points to be designated in the general order to be issued this day by the Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania, which order will also set forth the details of the arrangements for organization, clothing, subsistence, equipments, and supplies.
I will not insult you by inflammatory appeals.
A people who want the heart to defend their soil, their families, and their firesides, are not worthy to be accounted men. Heed not the councils of evil-disposed persons, if such there be in your midst.
Show yourselves what you are — a free, loyal, spirited, brave, vigorous race.
Do not undergo the disgrace of leaving your defence mainly to the citizens of other States.
In defending the soil of Pennsylvania we are contributing to the support of our national government, and vindicating our fidelity to the national cause.
Pennsylvania has always heretofore responded promptly to all the calls made by the Federal Government, and I appeal to you now not to be unmindful that the foe that strikes at our State strikes through our desolation at the life of the republic.
and our people are plundered and driven from their homes solely because of their loyalty and fidelity to our free institutions.
People of Pennsylvania!
I owe to you all my faculties, my labors, my life.
You owe to your country your prompt and zealous services and efforts.
The time has now come when we must
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all stand or fall together in defence of our State and in support of our government.
Let us so discharge our duty that posterity shall not blush for us. Come heartily and cheerfully to the rescue of our noble Commonwealth.
Maintain now your honor and freedom!
Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at Harrisburgh, this twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Commonwealth the eighty-seventh.
