Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-21


The following is a correct copy of the i'm
portant Bill which passed the House of Rep.
resentatives on the | It'll inst, by vote of Ia
10 ID:
"An act providing for the prosecution ofthe
existing war between the United States and
the Republic of Mexico"
Whereas. by the act Of the Republic OF
Mexico, a state of war exists between that
Government and the United States There
fore
BE Il enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States If JQiaetica
IN Congress assembled, That, for the purpose
OF enabling the Government Of the T. States
10 prosecute SAID war TO speedy and success
full termination. TIE President be and is here
by authorised to employ the militia, naval and
military forces of the United States, and TO
call ior and except the services Of any number
OF volunteers, not exceeding fifty thousand,
who may offer their services, as cavalry, aTti!-
lery, infantry or rlaemen, TO serve six months
after they shall have arrived at the place OF
rendezvous, or TO the end Of the war unless
sooner discharged. That the sum Of ten mil
lions Of dollars be and is hereby appropriated
cut oil any money in the Treasury or TO come
INTO the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
Tor the purpose OF carrying the provisions of
this act into effect
Sec. 2. .4ad be Il further enacted, That the
militia, when called into service Of the United
states by virtue OF this act, or any other act,
may, II IN the opinion Of the President of the
United States the public interest requires il. be
compelled 10 serve foi term not exceeding
six months after their arrival at the place Of
rendezvous, IN any one year, unless sooner
discharged.
Sec. 5. Ind be IL further enacted. Tia, ,be
said volunteers shall furnish their own clothes
and, If cavalry, their own horses and. when
mustered INTO service, shall be armed and
equipped at the expense Of the United States
Sec, 4. lind be IL further oimcteI, That said
volunteers, when called into actual service.
and while remaining therein. shall be subject
10 the rules and articles OF war, and shall be.
in all respects. except as 10 clothing and pay,
placed ON the same footing with similar corps
OF the United States army; and, in lieu Of
clothing, every non-cUmmiSsioned officer and
private in any company who may thus offer
himself. shall be entitled, when called into ac-
tual service, 10 receive in money a sum equal
10 the cost Of clothing of a non commissioned
officer or private Gas the case may be) in reg
ular troops of the United States.
Sec. 5, ind be IL further enacted. That the
said volunteers so offering their services shall
be accepted by the President in companies,
battaonS, squadIons,snd regiments. whose Of
iicerS shall be appointed 10 manner pIescrib.
ed by law in the several States and Territories
70 which such companies, batralions, squad.
rons, and regiments shall respectively belong
Sec .. lind be Il further enacted, That the
President OF the United States be and is hereby
authorised TO organize companies SO rendering
taeir services into battalions and squadrons or
INTO regiments regiments into brgades, and
brigades into divisions, as soon as The number
Of volunteers shall render such organization.
IN his judgment, expedient; and shall, by and
with the advice of the Senate, appoint the
generals of brigade and divisions. and the gen
eral staff, as now authorised by law: Prori
Ged, ho,cerer, That major generals and briga-
der generals shall have the appoinim ent Of
their aids.de-camp, and the President 81 ali. If
necessary, appoFton the staff, Geld, and en-.
,ral o4icers among the respective SsxsI nd