Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1853-05-31
THE MILITIA LAWS.

MES anu the militia publish below synopsis of the
law as prepared by the Clerk of the House of Dele
gates and printed his Sketches ofthe Acts7 passed
at the last session of the Legislature:
THE MILITIA
An act providing for the enrolment of the militia
Oy the commissioners of the revenue the abolition
musters and reorganization of the volunteer corps
The several commissioners shall annually make
OUT an roll of all persons in their districts
peIWeen eighteen and tOrtyhve years liable to be
rolled under the laws of the United States with the
regiment and company to which each person belongs
the adutnnt general to prepare the rolls and attach
INSTRUCTIONS TO commissioners. The said rolls when
make out to be filed in the clerks office with af-
hdavlt by the commissioners of its correctness; the
oath to be administered by justice without comper-
Sauon All masters Tor miStreSSeS9 of any house,
public or private shall give the of persons resi-
ding with them liabeto be enrolled with otherprop-
er lnlormatlon If any person. when required refuse
10 give information, or falsely give it. he shall pay
ten dollars for each person concerning whom en0ui-
ry Is made or whose name concealed or improp-
ery given. Said fine to be recovered before any JUS
tce, IN the name of the regiment Said rolls to be
open TO inspection for one month without fee The
clerk of the court when required by the command
ant of company Colonel of regiment shall an
nually make out roll of all persons SO enrolled in
any company district shall forwarstO the adiu-
tant general, within two months after the filing OF
SAID rolls return of the strength OF each regiment
in his county city town. The form of the return
to be furnished by the Gdjutant general shall annu
ally consolidate the returns of the clerks supernen
d2nt OF the Virginia Military Institute and comman-
dant of the Public Guard; and or before the first
Monday in November, make out a return to the Gov
ernor of the condition of the militia, with the ord
nance, arms equipments, &C. specifying those IN the
hands OF the volunteers and those IN arScns or mag
azines.
When company is without commissioned Off
Ger the commandGnt OF the regiment TO detail any
officer to fill the vacancy until election is held
The cavalry and artillery not belonging to any vol
unteer battalion shall compose one regiment Ofcav-
airy and artillery.
From the lst ON the 10th section inclusive of the
25th chapter the 18th section from the 18th to the
29th section inclusive and from the 33d TO the 5lst
OfCl md he fOi
10th section, inclusive OF the 3St chapter repealed
except in of war, instruction invasion. The
5th 6 9Th and 10th sections OF chapter 26th of the
Code are repealed.
Two more volunteer companies agreeing to be
mustered together, shall constitute battalion and
elect major four may constituted battalion
and elect lieutenant colonel aud major; six or more
may constitute regiment and elect Cooncln leutc-
nant colonel and major. Which officers shall be
mssloncd by the Governor, drank above officers of
like graden the line The field officers of volunteer
giments TO be elected by the commissioned officers
The law further provides who shall constitute the
STAN IN the battnlllonS and regiment Companies
of artillery and cavalry drilling with carbincs mns-
ketS, may unitcwith infantry in the formation ofbHt-
talons or regiments, subject 10 the orders of the
officers may unite and form battallions squad
rOns rs infantry may do. The officer copduc-
ting the election oicld officer report the fact with
an affidavit, 10 the Governors at such elections, ma
Jority of commissioned officers TO constitute quorum.
The adjutant general to number such volunteer reg
iments battalion take the number of the dis
banded The comnandant ofcach company TO make
return of lis strength &C TO the aduunt OF the reg
imcut or battalion the morning OF the muster; the
Gdjuant, within DAYS thereafter, make return
to the cOmmandant OF the regiment or battalion;
such returns TO be ccounersigucd b. him annually and
reported TO the adutant general. The form of frCturns
shall be pres cribcd by the aduant general NOlun-
teer companies hereafter 10 be organized, and hold
elections under the sUPcrintcndcncc Of nuy field Of
tCer of the militia volunteer Muscrs OF volunteer
regiments and battalUns shall Bc annual in April,
May or June, and of each company, four other days
10 be prescribed by the courts Of enquiry of te bat
tallion and regiment; and independent companies,
five times in each year. The companies, &C- TO be
kept on duty three hours Notice OF time and place
of regmental battalion mstcrs to be advertised
fifteen DAYS at the places of company mustcrs. Com
missoncd officers to be drilled three days previous
regmental mustcrs and two days previous TO battal
lion musters when musicians may be employed at
two dollars per day Courts Of enquiry in battallions
of four consist Offcld officers and commandHnts Cf
companies; of less than four, the same officers To-
gether with frs; licutcnants; in independent cOmpa-
mics, the commissioned officers. The senior officer
present TO be president. At such courts clerk may
be appointed by the commandant. The powers Of the
court prescribed, and their decision final.
The clerks adutants and paymasters 10 be paid from
the moneys of the regiment battalion or company
The clerk shall take an oath of Office, keep record
of proccedings,and make out tickets of fines, to DO
placed in the hands of the sheriff before the 18th of
July each year. taking his receipt The sheriff TO
collect and pay said fines TO the paymastcr, and for
failure to do So may proceeded against on his Of
fetal bond. He shall make affidavit ofsuch as Inc be
leves cannot be collected and if lac due diligence
he shall be relieved from the payment. The penalty
of the bond of a pay1ster in regiment or battalion
of four companies, shall bc not less than 200 dollars;
ofa battalion of less than four, not less than loo
dollars of an independent company not less than
dollars; such bonds may be proceeded against in any
court or before any justice No moneys 10 be dis
bursed but by order of a court of enquiry. If any
battalion or regiment agree to go into camp for four
consecutive days (the fact being certified TO the adj
tant generally the companies composing such battaI-
lion &c. shall be exempt from those company mus
tiers during the year, and the Governor may furnish
wall and common tents to said regiment and battal
lion.
Musters are not abolished or the mode of makinp
returns changed during the present year, but thcrc
shall be musters of the militia except Ofvountecr
after the month Of June in the present year.
7,o1, nosr