Executive Office.
April 25, 1861.
Hon. Caleb Baldwin, Council Bluffs, Iowa:
Dear Sir: — I
hand you herewith blank commission for military companies in the western part
of the State. Please fill them up and deliver them to the officers elected by
companies organized under your direction. I am informed some uneasiness exists
on the western frontier lest the border counties suffer from attacks by
Indians, or lawless men from Missouri. There are not now any arms to send there
except about fifty muskets that will be sent at once. The people should
organize as minute men, and arm themselves with private arms as best they can.
I authorize you to make such arrangements as you may think the safety of the border
requires in the way of organizing and of perfecting a system of communication
with each other in case of need. You are also authorized to call any of these
companies into service, if in your judgment the public safety requires, and
continue them in service as long as the necessity may require. If they are
called on to act against Indians, they had better act as mounted men. From
necessity I leave the whole matter in your discretion, confident that you will
in all respects act with due regard to the safety of the frontier, and the
public interest. In case you are compelled to call out any of the companies let
me know at once. I will recommend to the General Assembly the payment of the
men for any time they may be in actual service under your direction.
Very truly,
SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of
Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 134
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