Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-07-04
HENRY DODGE.

An act for the prosecution of the existing war
between the United States and the Republic of
Mexico.
Whereas, by the act of the republic Of Mexico,
state of war exists between that Government
and the United States:
Be it enacted 5y TIE Senate and House Of Rep
resentatives Of the United State, Of .dneriea, IN
Congress assembled, That for the purpose of en-
abng the government of the United States to
prosecute said war 10 speedy and successful ter
mination, the President be, and he is hereby au-
tholize6 to employ the militia, naval and militia
ry forces of the United States, aud TO call for and
accept the services of any number of volunteers,
not exceeding fifty thousand, who may offer their
services either as cavalry, artillery, rilemen, TO
serve twelve months after hey shall have arrived
at the place of rendezvous, or TO the end of the
war, unless discharged; and that the sum of
ten millions of dollars out of any money in the
treasury, or 10 come into the treasury, not other
wise appropriated, be, and the same is hereby, APP
propfated, for the purpose of carrying the provis
ons of this act into effect.
SEC. 9. find be it further enacted, That the m-
lita, when called into the service of the United
States by virtue of this act, any other act, may,
if in the opinion of tho Presidentof the United
States the public interest requires it, be compelled
to serve for n term not exceeding six months, af-
ter their arrival the place of rendezvous, in any
one year, unless sooner discharged.
SEC 3. find be it further enacted, Tha, the
said volunteers shall furnish their clothes, and
if cavalry. thei own horses; and when mns.ersa
INTO service shall be armed and equipped at the
expense of the United States.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That said
volunteers shall, when called into actual service,
and while remaining therein, be subject TO all the
rules and articles of war; and shall be in all re-
spects except to clothing and pay, placed on the
same footing with similar corps of the U. States
army; and in lieu ofclothing every non-commis-
stoned officer and private III any company who
may thus offer himself shall be entitled, when call
ed into actual service, 10 receive in money sum
equal 10 the cost of clothing of a non-commission-
ed oficersor private las the mayl in the regu-
lar troops of the United States.
SEC. 5. find be 10 further enacted, That the
said volunteers so offering their services shall be
accepted by the President in companies, battal-
ions squairons, aud regiments, whose officers
shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by
law in the several Stetes and Territories to which
such companies, bsttalons, squadrons and regi-
ments shall respectively belong.
SEC. 6, find be 10 further enacted, That the
President Of the United States be- and he is here
by authorized 10 organize companies so rendering
their services, into battalions squadrons; battal
ions and squadrons into regiments; regiments into
brfgadcs, and brigadcs into divisions, as soon as
the number of volunteers shall render such organi-
cation, in his Judgment, expedient; and shall, BY
and with the advice Of III 20 Senate, appoint the
generals of brgadcs and divisions, ard the general
staff, as now authorized by law: PrOUsded, howeU-
er, That major generals and Drigadier generals
shall have the appointment of their own aids-de-
camp, and the President shall, if necessary, APP
portion til staff, field and general officers, among
the respective States and Territories from which
the volunteers shall tender their services, as he
may deem proper.
SEC. Z. And be it further enacted, That the
volunteers who may be receivedinto the service of
the United States by virtue of the provisions of
this act, and who shall be wounded or Otherwise
disabled in the service, shall be entitled to all the
benefit which may be conferred on persons wounded
in the service of The United States.
SEC. g. .4nd cit fUTtbsr enacted, That the
President of the United States be, and is hereby
authorized forthwith to complete all the public
armed vessels now authorized by law, and 10 pur-
chase or charter, arm aAd equip, and man such
merchant vessels and steamboats, as, upon examin-
alton, may be found TT, or easily converted into
armed vessels fit for the public service, and in such
number as he may deem necessary for the pro,ec-
ton Of the seaboard, LIKE coast, and the general
defence OF the country.
SEC. 0 find be IL further enacted, That, when
ever the militia volunteers are called and re-
ceived into the service Of the United States under
the provisions Of this act they shall have tho
ganizatiou fthe army Of the United States, and
shall have tho same pay and allowances, except as
fosws, io-wt: Pryates of infantry, artillery, and
r,hemen shall receive ten dollars per month. and
pYates Of volunteer mounted corps, twenty dollars
per month, for their services and the use and risk
Of their horses.
JOHN w. DAVIS,
Speaker Of the House Of Representatives;
G.. NJ. DALLAS,
Vice President ofths Unifsd States and President
Of the Senate.
Approved, May 10, lo46.