Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-22
GENERAL ORDERS.
Richmond, Angnst rs,


of july, the President Of the United States
has urged on the Governor of this state,
the Importance of encouraging, by all the
means he may possess, such Volunteer as
soCiations as are contemplated and autho-
rised by the Act of Congress, passed the
Oath dav of February last, and when or
ganized, to be. received, as part of the quo
ia OF Militia recently required to be held in
readiness at the shortest notice.
The Governor decn,S it unnecessary TO
maze any observations on the Importance
Of placing ourselves in a state of the most
perfect preparation for every issue. Al!
parts Of The state have manifested SO deep
:, sense OF the injuries and insults offered to
us, So firm determination t. have our
wrongs redrcsscd or avcnged, and So ar
dent desire to second, by every effort,
whatever measures may be adopted by our
government, that it only remains or the
constituted authorities to prescribe the
course in which the eNertions of our fellow
citizens can be most useful TO oar common
country. Standing armies arc incompati-
bic with the genius of our government and
the spirit of our people, But body OF men
formed on the principles and on the terms
of the act of Congress above referred to,
will afford us, at the commencement Of war,
Should the injustice or in!atuation of the
British government lead to that issue, all
the advantages, without any of the evils of
a standing army; and the period of their
service, being for twelve months, will give
ample time TO raise and organize a regular
force for taking the field in place Of such
OF them rs may not be inclined to become
part of the regular army. The Nolun-
teer Corps will consist of such companies,
Battalions, Regiments, Brigades or Divisi.
ors, already organised and forming part
OF the Militia, as shall voluntarily tender
their services; or Of such associations of
individuals, from any or every part Of the
state as may be formed for the sole rur-
pose of rendering their services to the Pre-
sident. Corps of the above description will
continue to be commanded by the officers
holding comm ssions in them at the time OF
rendering their services But it is deemed
essential to the formation of volunteer as
sociations OF the second class, that their
first officers should be of their own choice
Let not the present officers of the Militia
suppose for moment, that by this princi-
pie it is intended to detract from their me-
Tit, or deprive them of the opportunity OF
serving their country in their present or e.
ven higher stations. They have a double
advantage they may either, by their influ-
ence, prevail on their present corps to ten
der their services, in which case they will
still continue at their head, or failing in
that, they have the best opportunities of
forming associations consisting of all such
persons as may be attracted by their great
respeCta6ility and superior knowledge of
military affairs-Of associations, which
they may thus form. thew will certainly
have the command. Their merit is well
known to the Governor, and their lust
v.tr- l.
ly guarded.
In these associations, so anxiously dcsir-
ed by the President and so useful to our
country, the Governor is so far from per-
ceiving any thing to wound the honor of
the present Officers of the Militia, that he
calls upon them all, of every grade, for
their Jealous cooperation in encouraging
them by all the means their prwer.-Thc
call is addressed TO their patriotism, and
he is confident that it viii not be made in
vain.--As 20 those corps not already or
ganizod, and TO which il viii therefore be
necessary ~ appoint Officers, the Execu-
tive of Virginia will commission officers on
the principles above mentioned and as il
may he one of the best means of cncoura p
ing them, they will even grant commissi-
nns, previous TO the formation of the assoc
Citations, to persons approved by them, and
who may give satisfactory assurances Of
their ability to form tbem.-The Govern
or has the pleasure to state from the as
surances of the Secretary at War, that the
members OF all Volunteer Corps under the
act of Congress referred to, will stand on
high ground as candidates for officers in the
regular army, If such an army shall be dee
med necessary.
is not intended 20 exclude such voiun-
teers as may tender their services for six
months, under the act of Congress OF the
18th of April, 1906, but only 20 give a pre-
ference 60 those who may tender them
selves for l. months under the act of the
18th Of February last and IF there shall be
any who win not only tender themselves for
twelve months, but viii also engage to be
transferred 20 the regular army, i'm case ono
should be established, for and during the
War, they will be preferred 10 all others
lhe tenders Of service should in all cases
designate the act Of Congress under Which
they are made In the event of more Vo.
lunteeis rendering themselves, under Ell
theT or both acts Of Congress, than shall a.
mount TO the proportion required from any
particular division, the Major Generals will
not reject them, but VIII report the cases
specially
Where the Drafts shall not already have
been made, they should be completed as
soon as practicable, for volunteers WHO NAV
tender themselves at any time before or
defs for taking the field, will be accented
as substitutes FOR the drafted Militia.
The Major Gene rats ttftt H.. ,,,...-5