Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-12-03
Reorganization of the Militia.

The bill for reorganizing the militia, the char
acter of which we noticed last week, was modl-
fed by the Convention and adopted insecret ses-
sion on Friday last. As amended it provides
that all persons subject to military duty IN this
Commonwealth shall be classed as follows: All
over twenty one years of age aud under thirty
one shall constitute the active class, and all the
rest shall constitute the reserve. The Governor
is to forthwith cause a re-arrargement OF fegi
mental and company districts, divisions and orig
ides of the militia, and cause one company e.
each class to be enrolled in each company district.
The enrolment is TO be made by present conman-
dants OF companies, or, in case of their absence,
inability, refusal, or failure to act, by such per-
sons as the Governor may appoint, who shall De
allowed suitable compensation. In time OF wal,
commandants of regiments may cause enrolnents
to be made whenever recruits are needed for
their respective commands. The classification is
preserved in the organization of divisions, brig
AIDES, regiments, battalions, and companies
class being separate and distinct from the other.
General and field officers of the militia and
volunteers to be appointed by the Governor--the
reserve to serve under the General officers of the
active class. In time of war, howeve-, the Gov
ernor may refrain from making appointments Ct
General officers, or from calling them into SER
vice, and may permit the troops to serve under
the General officers appointed By the President
OF the Confederate States, bat without prejudice
to the Constitutional rights of this Common
wealth. Volunteer companies to elect four com
inissioned officers; and vacancies in volunteer
and militia co panes to be filled as heretofore.
al appointments made by the Governor to be
submit.ed to the Senate for confirmation. Com
mandants oi regiments and Independent battal-
inns shall recommend suitable persons to fill va
cancies among company .lficers in their respec-
i've regiments and battalions, which recommep-
daticns shall not be obligatory, but shall be com
inunicated to the Senate by the Governor, with
his nomination to fill such vacancy all sucn
nominations, as well as those of General and
Field officers, to lie Oh the table one week before
being acted on.
When the militia are needed for active service,
the Governor will first call out the active class.
or such portion of it as may be necessary, anless
the exigency is such to require both the ac-
tive class and the ieserve, but he need not call
out the entire active class before calling out any
portion of the reserve. In all cases when the
reserve is called out, it shall be relieved by the
active Glass;
| The term of service Of the reserve will con.n-
ne as heretofore that of the active class as fol-
lows: All under 26 years of age, three years I;
and all the rest, two years. Service as volnD-
tee as well heretofore as hereafter, will be esti-
mated as service in the active class, but will no
shorten the aggregate service which would other
wise have been due from such volunteer; though
if he be in service at the time of the passage Of
the Ordinance, and shall serve continuously two
years. no further service will be required from
him in the active class, and lie will be deemed
| in the reserve. If the term of service due from
member of the active class be not rendered
continuously, he may again be called out for the
remainder of the term, but not longer.