Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-22
AcrIox oF THE SECRETARY OF WAR RELATIVE

LITIA We announced yesterday that an order
was about being issued by the War Department
designed to increase the efficiency Of the militia
of the District Of Columbia, In accordance with
the urgently expressed wish Of the District Repi-
ment. The new organization is ordered as fol-
lows:
The President Of the United States has had
under consideration the report Of the Board Of
Army and Militia Officers appointed on the 5th
of October, ISIS, relative TO the organization of
the militia Of the District of Columbia, and I'm
view Of the insuficiency Of the old organization
for the large increase Of force has TT to give
the following commands, in pursuance Of the
c t0i ~ weSn the Board was and Of
more efectually to provide for the organization
of the militia Of the District Of Columbia
l. The whele militia force Of the District shall
be under the command of a Major General and
he organized into two divisions, each division to
BE composed Of two brigades, and commanded by
a Major General; each brigade TO be com posed
by Brigadiet General, each regiment to have one
Colonel, one Lieutenant Colonel, and one Major
and otherwise be organized like regiment Of
infantry OF the regular army; which divisions
brigades nd regiments shall be designated, First
and Second Division-First, Second Third, and
Fourth Brrgade-First, Second, Third. Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Regiments,
respectively.
>. Brigadier General Roger c. weightman is
appointed Major General in the militia Of the
District, to rank rs such from March Is, 1860 and
VIII al once enter on the duties OF fCOmnandin
officer OF the District Of Columbia
3. All persons now holding commissions in the
militia Of the District. whether volunteers or
others. will, on or before the 18TH day of April
prOximo. report ia writing to the Major General
commanding the District Of Columbia, stating
whether they desire to retain their commissions
and have the PHYSICAL ability to perform the du-
lies II called on stating, also, their age place of
residence. military rank, and the regiment and
company to which they belonged under the old
organization; and all commissions not responded
10 within the time and in the manner indicated,
will be considered vacated. Other persons
desiring commissions in the new organization
will also address their applications to the Major
General commanding, who will, as soon as Dos
sioe after the first OF next month submit, for the
consideration Of the President the names of ap-
plicants, and othersif necessary, for appointment
Is commissioned officers.
4. The District OF Columbia shall be divided
into districts corresponding to the several Divi-
sioIs, Brigadss, and Regiments rs follows:
First Division District All that part of the Dis
trict Of Columbia south and east Of line begin
ming at the mouth Of the Tiber creek, where it
connects with the Potomac river, and running
with the middle CT the Tiber and the canal to
Seventh street west, thence by and with the middle
of said Seventh street and the Seven,h-street or
turnpike road to the northern boundary line Of the
District of Columbia
Second Division District-An that part of the
District Of Columbia north and west Of the line
above described
First Brigade Dstrct.-All that part of the irst
division district north and west of line COM
menctDg at the centre Of Seventh street bridge on
the canal thence east with the middle of the canal
10 the centre Of Third street west, thence north
with the centre of said street to the centre of
Pennsylvania avenue, thence east with the centre
OF that avenue to the centre Of the road surround
ing the Capitol so uare thence north and east with
the same to the centre of MARYLAND avenue thence
eastward along the middle Of said avenue to the
northeastern corner boundary of the city of
Washington, thence by the centre of the road
leading to the Anacostia bridge to the middle
thereof and thence north with the centre OF East
en- Branch river to the northern boundary line
of the District of Columbia.
Second Brigade District.-All that part Of the
first division district south and east Of the line
last above described
Third Brigade District-An that part Of the
second division district, east Of line beginning
at the southern extremity of Eighteenth street
west at the shore Of the Potomac river and run
ming thence north with the centre of that street.
TO the northern boundary line of tine city of Wash
ington, and thence with line running due north
TO the northern boundary line Of the District Of
Columbia.
Fourth Brigade District ALI that part Of the
second division district west of the line last above
described.
First Regimental District-All that part of the
FIRST brigade district east and north of line COM
mencing at the centre of Third street west. where
1t lntersects the north side of the canal and run
ming north along the centre of Third street to the
centre Of street. thence along the centre of said
street west
Second Regimental District ALI that part of
tue nrst brigade district lying to the west and
south of the line last above described
Third Regimental District ALI that part of the
second brigade district lying east of line COM
m:ncing at the intersection Of the centre of Sec
ond ST. east with the centre of Maryland avenue,
and running thence south with the centre of Sec.
ond ST. east to the Eastern Branch river
Fourth Regimental District-AlI that part of
the second brigade district west of the line last
above described
Fifth Regimental District-An that part of the
third brigade district north Of line commencing
az the Intersection Of the centre Of street north
with the centre OF Seventh street west and thence
running west with the centre of said FL st. to the
centre of Eighteenth street west
Sixth Regimental Ds:rct,-An that part Of the
third brigade district south Of the line last above
described.
Seventh Regimental District ALI that part of
the fourth brigade district east of d line conmenc-
Ing at tre southern extremity Of Washington
street In GeorSetown, and running thence north
with the centre Of that street, to the northern
boundary of Georgetown, thence east with the
said boundary to the centre of lock creek, thence
north with the centre of Rock creek to the north
ern boundary line of the District Of Columbia.
Eighth Regimental Dsrict.-Ali that part Of
tie fourth brigade district west of the line last
above described
5. "A further division into company districts will
De made under the orders of the General CON-
nanding the District Of Columbia; first appr0yi
mately, with view to enrolment and the assign
ment Of company officers. As soon as the appoint
Mems sha ASS nens shall have been made, the
rate enrolment Of all persons liable to militia
duty He will thereupon make a permanent ar
ranSement OF the company districts see that the
necessary non-commissioned officers are appoint
ed, and otherwise give attention to what is neces-
sary to carry the law into operation and give ef-
nctency to the organization for which 1t provides
o: Tne provision for forming volunteer corps is
an important feature in the law, as affording the
means OF securing an efficient force for any ordi.
nary emergency, without drawing too much upon
the time of the mass Of tbs militia. The forma-
tons Of such corps should therefore be encouraged
The companies will be consolidated according to
arms OF service, and attached to some particular
brigade; and as far az the public interest will per-
mt regard will be paid to the choice of the vofun-
Ieers IN appointing their officers. The law does not
ProVi0e ior any but company officers for such corps
neh, therefore, two or more companies are
unlteo 70 FORM corps. the field officer or officers
Tor IL must belong to some of the regular militia
regiments, The position Of Lieutenant Colonel
In the ist Sd, 9Th, and eth reyim.nts and that of
MAJOR In 10. I'd, 18th, 9th, and Sth regiments will
De reserved 10 meet that requirement to be filed
oy appointments for the volunteer CORPS whenever
tneY nave the requisite strength according To the
foilowing rule: To Two companies or any greater
number less than six, Of Cavalry or lnfantsy one
MAJOR to six or more companies of Cavalry y, In.
f'nIY, one Lieutenant colonel and one nosio,. IN
two companies or batteries, or anypreater nnmhe,
less than four of Held ayfili.,,,