Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-28
Arms for Volunteer Companies.


Frequent calls having been made upon His Excel
lency the Governor for arms for volunteer Compa-
MES, the following letter. addressed to Mr.. Aber-
nethy, Of Lnconton, is published for general infor-
nation. The reader will learn from the Governors
letter that the State has but small supply of arms
even of the old-fashioned kind; and that quota
for the next year will not exceed four hundred and
twenty muskets, or two hundred rifles of the i'm
proved kind! In addition to this militia system
is almost entirely inefficient If the dangers which
impend be real, does not the condition of affairs
which these facts disclose call for legislative action
The Governor has done and qciW do all in his power
to organize the militia and Put the State in an atti-
tude of defence; but an examination of the mil tia
law, and the facts in relation to the want of arms
contained in the Governors letter to Mr. Abernethy,
will show that he is comparatively powerless. We
repeat what We have said in another article in to
days paper-and we do so, we beg leave to add,
without any ntimation from, or consultation with
His Excellency the subcct-thtt if the people of
the State desire legislation no,o let them signify
their wishes in primary meetings, or in such mode
as they may deem best.
EXECUTIVE OrEIcE,
Raleigh, Dec. esd 1859.
SIR:-YOur favor of the 18th instant is at hand,
from which am pleased to learn that your neigh
bSrs have resolved upon forming volunteer COM
pany for the defence of the State.
feel obliged to every gentleman, as doubt not
the public WILL who interests himself in organizing
military companies of this character, as our voun-
teer corps is almost the only species of military or
ganizaton now existing in the State. The militia
system, as established by law has become complete
ly prostrated in many parts of the State there
neither men enrolled, nor officers to whom orders
can be issued nor do hope to be able to give this
system any very useful vitality until additional leg
iSation can be had upon the subject. The defects
of the law are radical. and until they are amended
it will not be possible effect complete orsanza
ton of military forces.
regret exceedingly that it is out OF my power to
com;ly with your request to lie furnished with the
modern improved rifle There is not one gun of
this description at my disposal. Fifteen hundred
flint and steel rifles and two thousand flint
and steel muSkets together with small number OF
pistols and cannon, the only fire arms now to be
found in our armorieS and these for all practical
purposes may be considered as almost useless =
With such weapons our rn Fps could not face those
armed with the modern rifle ,~l
In consequence of this deficiency, and the large
demand for arms by the volunteer companies recent.
ly formed, all of whom desire the modern rifle.
made requiStion upon the Secretary of War for
two thousand long range rifles. have not yet re-
ceived from him reply to my letter, as had rca'
| son to expect but learn through one OF our Sena
tors that the Secretary will not furnish us with
these arms.
There will be due the State early in the coming year
four hundred and twenty muSkets only. If receive
our quota in rifles, as Texpcct to do, we would mo-
| get more than two hundred, the rifle being more
costly than the muSkct1-and this number wonlt
not furnish more than one ith part of our volun
| teerS who are now without arms of any kind.
This sir, is the condition Of the State with refer
ence to arms foI our defence, and have no powe
by law to improve it.
would suggest that all volunteer companies ac
cept such arms as we have. as they would answe
the ordinary purposes of drill.
remain yours,
Very respectfully.
JOHN W. ELLIS.
H. W. ABERNErEIY, ESQ.,,