Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-06-27
HENRY DODGE.

| An act for The prosecution Of the existing war
between ,hs 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 1t enacted by The Senate and House Of Rep
resentatiUes of the United State, of .4aeriea, in
Congress assembled, That for the purpose of en-
abling the government of the United States to
prosecute said war a speedy and successful ter
moation, the President be, and he is hereby au.
tholze9 TO employ the militia, naval and militia
ny forces of the United States, aud 10 call for and
accept the services of any number of volunteers,
not exceeding fifty thousand, who may offer their
services either as cavalry, artillery, remen, to
serve twelve months after hey shall have arrived
at the place Of rendezvous, or TO the end of the
war, unless sooner discharged and that the sum Of
ten millions of dollars out of any money in tho
treasury, to come into the treasury, not other
wise appropriated, be, and the same is hereby, APP
propriated, for the purpose OF carrying the provisi
on. Of this act into effect
SEC. 2. find be it further enacted, That the mi
litia, w 4 called into the service the United
Stat y virtue Of this act, or any other act, may,
e "A the opinion Of the President of the United
the public interest requires it, be compelled
to serve for term not exceeding six months, af-
ter their arrival the place of rendezvous in any
one year, unless sooner discharged.
SEC g. find be IL ftrttor enacted, That the
said volunteers shall furnish their 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. find be IL 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 10 clothing and pay, placed on the
same footing with similar corps of the u. States
army; and in lieu ofclothing every non-comms-
stoned officer and private in any company who
may thus offer himself shall be entitled, when call
ed into actual service, 20 receive i'll money sum
equal TO the cost of clothing Of a non-commission-
ed oficeEor private as the case may IN tine regu-
lar troops Of the United States
Sec. 5. .4nd be ii further enacted, That the
said volunteers SO offering their services shall bs
accepted by the President in companies, baual.
ions squadrons, aud regiments, whose ofiicers
shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by
law in the several Steies and Territories TO which
such companies, batialions, squadrons and regi-
ments shall respectively belong.
SEC. 6. find be IL further enacted, That the
President of the United States be, and he is here
by authorized 10 organize companies go rendering
their services. into battaons sqaadrons; battal-
ions and squadrons into regiments; regiments into
brigades, and brigades 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 the Senate, appoint the
generals of brigadss and divisions, aud tho general
staff, as now authorized by law Proptded, hoceU-
er, That major generals and brigadier generals
shall have the appointment Of their own aids-de-
camp, and tho President shall, if necessary. APP
portion the staff, field and general officers, among
the respective States and Territories from which
II - - h.
may deem proper.
SEC. 7. find be 1t further enacted, That the
volunteers who may be received into 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 all the
benefit which may be conferred on persons wounded
in the service ofthe United States.
SEC. 8. find BEL frrther enacted, That the
President Of the United States be, aud is hereby
authorized forthwith TO complete all the public
armed vessels now authorized by law, and to pnr-
chase charter, arm and equip, aud such
merchant vessels and steamboats, as, upon examin-
alton, may be found IT, or easily converted into
armed vessels 81 for the public service, and in such
number as he may deem necessary for the protec-
tion of the seaboard, LIKE coast, and the general
defence Of the country.
SEC. 9 find be IL further enacted, That, when
ever the militia or volunteers are called and re-
ceved into the service Of the United States, under
the provisions Of this act, they shall have tina or
ganizalion ofihs army Of the United States, and
shall have the same pay and allowances, except as
follows, io-wt: Pivaies Of infantry, artillery, and
riasmen shall receive ten dollars per month, and
priyates Of volunteer mounted corps, twenty dollars
per month"; or 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 United States and Persistent
Of the Senate.