Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-24
rne Gan for the -rlli,in.

The Cali fer the Militia
We have scarcely doubt that the Governors
Proclamation, calling out thirty thousand Of the
Militia Of the State viii be promptly responded to
by the brave men of Tennessee, voluntarily, during
the present week. We have heard of q large num-
Der Of companies being formed in this city and
county, to be rendered to the Confederate States
and the work is going brsvey on. 1t now evident
that Davidson county viii furnish any number of
brave and devoted men, that may be called for
among her patriotic population. In this connection,
we wish to make correction Of All error, which
inadvertently appeared il our columns yesterday
morning, with regard to calling out the militia for
the defence of our soil against a threatened
invasion. The word drafting" was erTone-
ously applied to the calling Of a detail
of the militia into active service, to repel an
invasion of the enemy 1t is not in the reproachful
sense in which that word is used, dratlilg men, to
call into active service the militia or portion of
the militia of the State, for the defence of the
State, when they to be discharged as the
danger may disappear. This is the legitimate
province of the militia to defend the State against
invasion and without it the militia systemwoud be
farce. They are not received for any specified
bGEflCt,
whenever the Governor, who is their Commander
inChief shall think the danger of invasion has pass
ed and shall order. We can see no reproach that
viii attach to any mans name in thus serving for
the defence of Tennessee. There are thousands Of
men, who it is impossible to spare from their
homes and families, for long campaign, who, new
ertheess can perform this SERVICE that will render
the danger of invasion less, W hich must necessari
iy be brief. Many cannot volunteer for twelve
months, who can yet spare few weeks in a cam
paign for the security and defence of their homes
Almost the entire military force now in readiness,
to defend New Orleans against the invader We un>
derstand is composed of this kind of force, citizen
soldiers, who remain in their counting rooms, off
ces and workshops every day until O'Clock in the
afternoon, when they close their doors and repair
regularly to the psrade graund, where they drill
until night, in regular corps.
These citizen soldiers are ready at given sigma
of alarm, to rally to the defence Of the city at any
moment during the day or night. It is true they
do not 60 into camp, but this is because is as con-
venient for the defence of the city, to remain at
their homes, and rally to their respective rendez>
vous at an agreed signal This cannot be done in
less densely settled country than large city, and
for this reason different rendezvous Of the troops are
necessary. 1t may also become necessary to cross
the State line to prevent the entrance of the
enemy's force upon our soil. These organizations
of citizen sOldiery are also very useful in war as
furnishing nucleus for volunteer regiments as
rapidly as they may be called for by the Govern.
nsnt. Some of the best regiments from Louisiana
now in the Confederate service have been created
in this way, among others, the celebrated Wash.
ington Artillery Battalion, which did such effective
service on the glorious plains of Manassas.
1t becomes more and more evident that our nj,
Iitia system should be perfected and the entire
adult male population required to drill regularly
from time to time. An invasion of our extended
border either on sea or land, is liable to occur at
any moment during the present war, as the enemy
are determined to worry and hsrrass our people, |.
a. much as possible at every point. Such inva>
sions are only formidable ION the fact that it is
always, uncertain where they may strike. But if
our militia were properly armed and drilled, they
could be rallied at any time and to any point, to
repel the attack, foil the eremys plans and entrap
him into q surrender. 1t is one Of the first msxms
Of free Government, that 4 well organized militia
Is the frmest bulwark of freedom. A people who I.
have such system, well perfected, can never
be conquered. The ridicue into which the militia
has heretofore fallen in the South, has arisen from
the fact of its imperfect organization, and the in
capacity and ridiculous pretensions of the officers,
selected to command. This should be at once rem
edied by well digested and matured militia sys-
TEN. Our Legislators can perform no more valua-
BILE, desirable or important service to the people /
than by devising and enforcing such system.
If this were. done, we should hope to see our cit-
zens take high and patriotic pride in sustaining it,
by complying with all its regulations and requires
ments, and by even exhibiting readiness to march,
in its ranks, to the battle field and there vindi +
cate it from the unjust and unfortunate re,
prOsch that has fallen upon it. The Legs
islGture has remedied some of the defects,
Is far it is possible in short time by prOvi-
ding that vixen the militia go into the field, they
shall elect their officers anew, and thus march
to meet the enemy under leaders, chosen for their
capacity, in view of the emergency. Our sacred
soil being threatened we are compelled to do the
best we can under the defects arising from long
neglect, and to repair the evil, as well as we may
By promptness, industry and energy in preparing
for whatever conflict may come. 1t is no time to
asspise the militia or reprOach those who may be
called to do duty in its ranks, when the enemy are
numbering at our gates, nor is tia time to indulge
n useless regrets or criminalities. But as we have
isid we are satisfied that the immediate necessity
Ter employing the militia will be superseded by the
prompt rally Of volunteers, st the call Of the Gov
srnor. This shOuld not however prevent US from
to organize and drill the militia, with
Energy aod system, so as to be prepared for any
,ther emergency in this war, which now promises
% be protrscted beyond previous expectations
TmsT EAST TENNESSEE RIFLE REGIxENT.-This Reg.
lAent, raised here under Brig. Gen. CAROLS imme-
iiSte supervision and now under command of Lieut.
Col. White, arrived here yesterday and encam ped
1t Camp Sneed. Brig. Gen, VIM. 81, Carroll also
arrived last evening, and we learn win shortly be
followed by the rest of his brigade, which now con