The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-05
From the Montgomery Mail
THE MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS OF THE


Much Misrepresentation exists in the public mind /
in regard to the military organizations established
by the Congress. for the protection OF the Confed /
crate States. We observe that even the New Or
leans Delta has fallen into popular error-that Of
supposing that State troops are, may be, iucor-
porated into the Regular Army Of the Confederacy.
It spoke, days ago, of the Zouave Battalion of
Louisiana as having been thus Incorporated. As
we proceed, we shall show that this is not and can
not be the case.
On making some inquiries in the proper quarters
ascertain that ro distinct armies have been pro-
vided for by the act of the Congress. They have
connection with each other; the mode of offering
them is essentially different; and their terms of
vice are dissimilar.
The first OF these armies is what is called the
"Provisonal Army" 1t is this to which the
Zouave Battalion and all other volunteer corps,
now in the service Of the Confederate States, be-
long. 1t was raised by the Congress, to meet the
pressing exigencies upon US; and will be disbanded
when the emergency shall have ceased which called
it into existence. 1t is composed of such "eom-
panies, battalions and regiments, " as have been,
Tor may BEL turned over 10 the Coniederacy By
the several States from their several armies,
or corps of volunteers, with the consent of the
troops transferred. The minimum term Of service
is one year. rule of the War Department re-
ouires these troops to be received only from the
several State Executives: they, of course, having
previously secured the assent of the organizations
transferred These troops retain the organizations
! with which they enter the Provisional Army;
|
such and retaining their officers. But the Presi-
dent has the right, by law to appoint certain Field
Officers for this 'Provisional Army,"-a right
which he has exercised, in making Brigadiers
thereof, of Coils Bragg and Beauregard, and APP
| pointing Col Hardee, Colonel Of its First regi-
ment
MANY "crack" volunteer companies, not only
from the Confederate - ates but also from the
border States, have sought, independently, to be
| incorporated into this "TroviSional Army" but
the rule is infexible, and unless they are offered
by some of the Confederate States upon re-
| uuisition from the War Department, they not
received. Practically. the "Provisional Army" is
about full; the patriotism of the people was fully
up to the mark of the needs of the country.
Memorandum: That in contemplation Of law Sur
geons and Assistant Surgeons of the Volunteer anC
State Army troops, turned over to the Coniedera
cy, to make part of the "Provisional Army" are
not "oficers," and they are therefore not retained
The deficiency is supplied by appointing (tempora
ry) acting Assistant Surgeons for such troops.
Memorandum: Also, that the single slight excep
ton to the rule, that the component organization;
of the "Provisional Army" derived as aforesaid
from the several States, remain as when muster '
into the service of the Confederate States-is, tina
, independent or isolated companies will be consoli
dated into battaons or regiments. This, oil course
is indispensable.
Another point about the "Provisiona Army" it
Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons are only tempo
rary appontees, acting as such a0hhc the service ma
D require them. .
! The Regular Army of the Confederacy is entirel
distinct from the "Provlslonal." IL as not get OF
ganzed. The officers of only too regiments hnv
yet been appointed: the officers OF four othe
regiments will be appointed. The organization
very similar to that of the United States Army.
As soon as appointed, many of the officers of tn
| regular army will be ordered to the recrutin
service. And it is in this way only that the regu
lar army will be raised. As vet, it does not contai
E a single nOn-commissoned officer or private, Will
the provisional army has thousands Of men in th
field.
c The regular army will begin to take form an
s substance probably within six months.
t Officers resigned, account of secession, fro
: the army of the United States, receive appoin
ments, as of course, in the regular army. Civil
ians eligible; but the former certan
provided
Applications by civilians for positions as Su
geons and Assistant Surgeons in the regular army
need now hardly be made with expectation of SUI
, cess. There is only limited number of appoin
= ments to fill; and these, necessarily, will be give
to resigned Surgeons and Assistants from the arm
, of the United States.
e The Engineer corps is, we learn, most inaccess
: BILE to civilians; probably because there accom-
= plished officers (resigned) from the U. S. arm
3 to fill the positions. We doubt-wthout beir
Y able to state Observation-Disclosures any ciyilia
e whatever his attanments, will be received in
the Engineers. Position for civilians, is next mo
y difficult of attainment in the artillery.
Ne believe that we have corrected above sco
, or more OF popular errors in regard to our mit
~ organizations. Those who feel special intere
in the subject will, of course, notice the emphas
of the foregoing. Doing so may save good de
{ of trouble, feel confident that our statemen
are accurate.