Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-15
The New Militia Law.

Legislature.
The Militia is divided into sedentary and active,
the sedentary to consist of all white male per
sons subject to bear arms under the State Con
sttution who do not belong to the active militia.
The active militia consists of able bodied white
males between eighteen and forty-fye years, who
shall be enrolled members of armed and uni
formed companies duly mustered into the State
service.
The sum Of $4,000 is appropriated for 1861,
and like sum for 1862, which constitutes spe-
cial fund for military purposes, one-fourth of
which (SI7 ,500) remains in the State Treasury to
nay the salaries Of the adjutant and quarter.
master general-SS00 each-and to pay expenses
Of State and Brigade Encampments, Brigade
Courts Martial, printing of necessary blanks. &c.
The balance (s52, 500 is to be distributed, pro
rata, to the counties in proportion to the number
of active militia, to be paid over by the county
treasurers to colonies of regiments. One fourth
of each county's share is held to pay actual ex-
penses Of the quartermaster Of the regiment, for
the preservation Of arms, and all expenses of rsgi
mental and battalion drills, parades, encamp-
be distributed among the captains of active mi
litia, in proportion to the number of members in
each, to be used by such companies to defray e1-
penses Of company drills and courts martial, of
armories and music, and for the procurement of
equipments and munitions.
The active militia is styled the Indiana lie
oiOn," which, in its complete organization, shall
be considered as a single army corps, composed
Of divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions and
companies, and the requisite general and field and
staff officers.
A company to consist Of captain, a first and
second lieutenent. an orderly sergeant, four
sergeants. four corporals. company clerk, to
be elected by the company, and not less than 30
nor more than 100 privstss. -Four companies
make a battalion, three battalions a regiment,
three regiments a brigade. and three brigades a
division-but this organization, except as to COM
panies, may be modified BY the Governor, ac-
cording to the conveniencss and necessities of the
service.
Majors to command battalions, are elected by
the men composing regiment, and has power to
appoint an ad;utsnt, paymsster, quartermaster
and cOmmissary, and in case of necessity may
assign all these duties to one officer. He may
also appoint two non commissioned officers as the
assistant surgeon.
Colonies and lieutenant colonies are to be ap-
pointed BY the Governor, for each regiment, and
are commissioned for four years. The colonel
appoints his regimental staff, to consist of bril-
gade Inspector, who discharges the duties of as
sistant adjutant general, q quartermaster, pay
master, surgeon, and judge advocate, and the non-
commissioned staff to consist of sergeant major,
quartermaster sergeant, and color bearer.
The Governor appoints brigadier general for
each brigade, and major general for each dyis-
ion. The brigadier generals appoint the brigade
staff, to consist Of brigade inspector (who dis
charges the duties Of assistant adjutant general
aquartermaster, paymaster, surgeon, Judge advo-
cate, aid-de camp. and four staff sergeants.
The major general appoints the division staff,
to consist of division inspector, (who discharges
the duties of assistant adjutant general,) quar-
termaster, paymaster, surgeon, judge advocate,
two aids-de camp, and four staff sergeants.
to volunteer as company in she Legion, they
shall first i,e With tie County auditor copy of
their articles Of association, accompanying it
with an undertaking. with security to the salts
faction of Auditor, that they will uniform them
selves. list OF members of not less than forty
six, shall be foruar iel to she Adjutant General,
who if he be satisfied OF tbs loyalty of the mem
bers, that they are legally qualified, and will
uniform themselves. shall issue an order for the
election of officers, naming time and place. Be
fore such election is held, he shall appoint three
disinterested persons to receive and count the
ballots, either in his presence or in presence of
she officer to whom he may have delegated his
authority to preside at such election, and to
muster the company into State service. No
election is valid unless tuo-thrds of the members
vote, and candidates must receive a majority of
all the votes to be elected. After the election
the presiding officer shall proceed to muster the
company into the Legion by causing every mem
Der to take in his presence the oath of allegiance
which is as follows 81 solemnly swear that
win honestly and faithfully serve the State of
Indiana against all her enemies or opposers. and
that will do my utmost to support the Constitu-
ton and Laws Of the United States, and of the
State Of Indiana against all violence of whatever
kind or description. And I further swear that 1
will obey the legal orders Of all officers legally
placed over me, whom on duty so help me
God"
The mastering officer then reports to the adju-
tant general ths result OF the election, who will
cause commissions TO be forwarded to the officers
elected
Subsequent members, on joining companies,
are required to take the oath Of allegiance Ev-
cry member of the legion shall provide himself
with his proper uniform within three months af-
ter becoming member Of the organization, fail
ing in which, he will subject himself to penalties,
to be fixed by the by laws or sentence of court
martial. The company clerk may be allowed
such compensation for his services as the coun-
eli Of administration Of the company shall allow,
TO bspaid out Of the company fund.
The commanding officer of every company
shall make a requisition on the quartermaster
general for such supply Of arms and equipments
as may be necessary for bis company, which
rcquisition, with the commanding officer receipt
to the quartermaster general, shall be forwarded
TO the Governor. Should the Governor approve,
he viii gif4fRprder on the back of the requisi-
ton, direeud ie quartermaster. general to make
the issue ussu&ss<irgs hstn iszned, the re-
ceips and re'i1il n -sIses quarter
master general as veusletzt 70 accompany his. an
nual return. Arms, equipments and military
stores and equippage, when issued, viii be charged
by the Auditor of State to the counties receiving
The same. The officers and members of all vol
unteer companies shall file with the county audi
Tor such bond and security as he may deem requi-
site to secure the county from loss on account of
she use or misapplication Il such arms, equip
ments or stores, such bond to be payable to the
Board Of Commissioners.
When arms and equipments which have been
issued, shall again come into the possession Of the