FURLOUGHS FOR SICK SOLDIERS.
Mr. MURRAY offered the following:
WHEREAS, The policy pursued by the military authorities having charge of the volunteer militia of this State, in the prosecution of the war, in refusing furloughs to our sick and wounded soldiers, whereby they could return to their homes for the restoration of their health, until their recovery was beyond reasonable hope, is a needless and cruel sacrifice of the lives of our citizen soldiery--detrimental to the public service by discouraging enlistments, and creating a feeling of hostility to the war; and,
WHEREAS, The Legislature of Indiana has already placed the necessary means in the hands of the Governor to avert, as far as possible, the sad calamities of this war, which is filling our State with
page: 166[View Page 166]desolated homes, and is still willing to adopt any means in its power to save the lives of those who have generously and patriotically offered them to the service of their country for the restoration of the Union; therefore,
Be it Resolved by the Senate, the House concurring, That His Excellency, Oliver P. Morton, together with our Senators and Representatives in Congress, be, and they are hereby, respectfully requested to use their influence with the War Department in such manner as shall procure for each sick and wounded Indiana soldier a furlough home at the expense of the Government, whenever the Regimental or Hospital Surgeon shall certify that such sick or wounded soldier is not likely to be fit for duty within twenty days.
Resolved, That suitable arrangements also be made whereby all such furloughed soldiers of this State shall be reported to the Adjutant General of the State, their names, places of residence, and the time for which they have been furloughed, in order that, at the expiration of their furloughs, or at such time after the expiration thereof as they shall be declared fit for duty by competent Surgeons at their place of residence, all such soldiers may by the Adjutant General of the State be ordered back to their several regiments.
Resolved, That upon the passage of this concurrent resolution, a copy thereof be presented to the Governor, and one forwarded to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress by the Secretary of the Senate.
The resolutions were adopted unanimously.
