The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-12
COMMUNICATED.
or THE MILITIA OF THE


ORGANIZE TON OF THE MILITIA OF THE |
UNITED STATES
December G, 1859
The editors of THE DAILY EXCHANGE have been
requested to publish the following abstract of the
organization of the militia and volunteer corps as
prescribed by the laws of the United States ,oAic
are paramount on the subject, although many of the
States have passed militia laws at variance with the
acts of COngress).
1t being important at this time that the subject
should be properly understood, some pains have
been taken to present it correctly for public consid
GRAFTON, and it is to be hoped the press will give cir
culation to the abstract.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER CORPS
Every one is aware that Congress has the exclu-
sive right to organize our militia and volunteer
CORPS and, having done that each State is bound
IN its legislative, as well as in its executive depart
ment to conform to that general organization But
there is subject, perhaps, less understood than
the provisions of the several acts of Congress in re-
lation to the militia and volunteer corps and hence
the frequent and much to be regretted discrepan-
ces in some of the State militia laws from the pro-
visions prescribed by Congress- and the equally ir-
regular and improper action of some of the State
executive departments in commissioning officers not
authorized by the acts of Congress, and in some in
stances not authorized by the laws of the State in
which the appointments are made.
This lack OF information arises from the fact that
various amendments and changes in the militia svs
TEN have been made by acts of Congress- passed
since the original act of Sth Nav, 1892; but fortu-
natey volume entitled "Military Laws of the
United States,' published with the sanction of the
War Department, processes to contain all that has
been enacted by Congress the subject up to 10th
August, 1916; and (presuming that no material
changes have been made since that tme) it appears
that the organization of the militia and volunteers
is as follows:
For each Sate.-1 Adjutant General-rank not
hnE hut ID II
same as Adjutant General of the United States ar
my. Quartermaster General, rank not defined
but assumed to be that of Brigadier General the
same as Quartermaster General of the United
States army.
For each Observation-Disclosures of brigades not nre
scribed, but supposed to be composed of two or
more brigades; l Major General, 2 Abide Camps
rank of Major; Division Inspector with rank of
rank of Major.
For each brigade Ito be composed of four repi
ments, ii conveniently Brigadier General; Aid
de-Camp, with rank of Captain; l Brigade Major
and Inspector, with rank of Majors | Brigade Quar-
termaster, with rank of Captain.
For each Regtment.-l Colonel l Lieut. Colonel;
l Major; Adjutant, with rank of Lieutenant /
Quartermaster, with rank of Lieutenant; l Paw
master, rank not defined; / SurgeOn; | Surgeons
Mate; Chaplain; Sergeant Major; l Drum Ma
jor; Fife Major.
Each regiment to consist of two battaiens. each
battalion OF five companies, and each company of
be commanded by Major.
For each Company OF hydntry.-l captain, lieu
tenant, ensign, sergeants, cOrporals drum
mer, tifer GA privates.
For each Company Of Rifemen.-No special pro
vision made, but supposed to be the same as for In
tantry, except the necessary addition of bugler
or the substitution OF one or more buglers for the
drummer and ffer. Number of privates not pre-
scrlbed, but supposed to be GA, in the Infantry
For each Company Of ArtiNery-I captain,
ieutenants, sergeants, corporals, gunners, G
bombardiers, drummer, fifer.
Number of privates not prescribed but sunnosed
to be Ga, as in the Infantry.
For each Troop Of Horse.-1 captain, 2 lieuten-
ants, cornet, sergeants, corporals, saddler l
farrier, trumpeter.
Number of privates not prescribed but supposed
to be g., as in the Infantry.
II any act OF Congress, prior or subsequent to
the 10th August, 1916, has made any further modi-
hcatlon OF our militia system, under the laws of
the United States, than as above stated il is honed
that the person discovering the same will BRING the
matter to the knowledge of the public.
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.-It is now believed by the
naval authorities in Florida that the steamer FnI-
ton, which was wrecked off Santa Roses Island
some months ago, may be reconstructed as to re-
pair to the squadron from which she was so sudden
" detached They are of opinion, we understand
that her value when repaired, will recompepse the
Government for the money expended on her.
The United States steamer Dispatch is nearly
ready for sea, at Norfolk, Va. She has been thor
oughly oVernauled recently. The line of battle
ships Pennsy vania, Columbus, Delaware and New
York (the latter is yet the stocks ;frigaes Rari-
tan, United States and Columbia; steamers Rich
mond, Dacotah and Dispatch are at Norfolk Navy
ard at present The work of repairing the splen-
did steam frigate Minnesota is progressing at the
Boston Navy Yard; the unaccountable rottenness
OF that vessel becomes more apparent 1t cost the
Government an immense sum of money to put her
In proper trim, but she is not needed for service
expedltlously, the authorities are in no hurry with
her. The Minnesota rates with the Niagara, Wa
bash, Merrimac, &C.
News from the Brazilian Squadron is as follows.
United States briggs Perry and cambridge had ar
rived at Rio, and were taking in provisions and |
making Preparations for home. They will sail on |
the arrival OF he Congress at Rio. The latter YES
sci on reaching Rio was to relieve the Temporary
fiag-shlp Dolphin, which has lately been looking |
after the interests of American citizens ON the la
Plate The health OF the officers and men was good.
KENTUCKY UNITED STATES sESAron.-A n,iv.ts
despatch, dated Frankfort, KY, December sib
states that Vice-President Breckenridge was on |
the evening of that day, nominated for United |
States Senator on the first ballot in Democratic
caucus of the Legislature. The vote stood-Breckn-
ridge AS; Hise, ID Mason, 5.
Miss Harriet Lane, niece OF President Buchanan |
has sent large and valuable collection of auto |
graphs to the fair, now open at the Academy of |
Music, New YORK, for the benefit of the charities |
carried on by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Char
itV. The ladies who manauinO tho fai how 10