Proclamation of Oliver P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, April 16, 1861

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR.

Whereas, An armed rebellion has been organized in certain States of this Union, having for its purpose the overthrow of the Government of the United States;

And WHEREAS, The authors and movers in this rebellion have seized, by violence, various forts and arsenals belonging to the United States, and otherwise plundered the Government of large amounts of money and valuable property;

And Whereas, Fort Sumter, a fortress belonging to the United States, the exclusive possession and jurisdiction over which were vested in the General Government by the Constitution of the United States, has been besieged by a large army, and assaulted by a destructive cannonade and reduced to submission, and the National flag hauled down and dishonored;

And Whereas, The President of the United States, in the exercise of the power vested in him by the Federal Constitution, has called upon the several States remaining true to their allegiance to aid him in the enforcement of the laws, the recovery of the National property, and the maintainance of the rightful authority of the United States;

Now, therefore, I, Oliver P. Morton, Governor of the State of Indiana, call upon the loyal and patriotic men of this State, to the number of six regiments, to organize themselves into military companies, and forthwith report the same to the Adjutant General, in order that they may be speedily mustered into the service of the United States. The details of the organization are set forth in the instructions of the Adjutant General, herewith published.

OLIVER P. MORTON, Governor.

Lewis Wallace, Adjutant General.

Indianapolis, April 16, 1861.

SOURCE: William H. H. Terrell, Indiana in the War of the Rebellion, p. 332