Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-11-13
Calling out the Militia.


military operations in this State, of the movement
OF troops ard preparations for defence Nothing
sraties us so much as the exhibition of fervid pa.
trictism on the part Of people, their ready and
efficient co operation with the military authorities,
and the most prompt and energetic movements on
the part OF our officers in securing the best possible
defence OF our seacoast and inland towns Since the
appointment of Gems. Anderson and Hill to the i'm
mediate supervision of our coast they have display
ed unwonted energy in their preparations which has
inspired our Eastern people with sense of security
which they had not felt before; and we are glad to
say. with some slight exceptions, our people have
rallied galantly to their aid No one can truthfuly
charge either of them with nertness or ineficiency.
And so far as we are informed the authorities of the
State and Of the Confederate States have seconded
their movements. If they have not we have not
heard of it.
To make our coast still more secure against sue
cessful invasion, it seems that Gov. Clark has au-
thorlzed them through Gen. Gatlin, the commander
of all the Confederate forces in the State 10 call out
the militia of the lower Counties at such times and
IN such numbers as they might deem advisable in
great Naval expedition of Lincoln was designed to
operate against our coast-an opinion in which we
did not coEcur-Gen. Anderson last week called out
the militia of Brunswick and New Hanover Coun-
ties to rendezvous at Smithville and Wilmington,
and Gen. Hill called out the militia of Currtuck,
Camden, Pasquotank, Perqumans, Chowan, BERTHE,
Martin, Washington Tyrrell, Hyde, Beaufort Cra-
7 md to of
Carolina City, Newbern, Washington, Hyde Coun-
ty, and Roanoke Island.
We do not doubt that these gentlemen were fully
convinced of the propriety and the necessity of the
CALL and we concede to them much ripper judgment
and far more skill in military matters than we pre-
tend to claim; nor 10 we attach an iota of blame to
them, being assured that they acted from the high
est motives, believing it to be military necessity.
Yet We forced by our own convictions of what
is right and best, to differ with them to the wis
dom or utility of the measure. We conceive it to
be doubtful policy at any time for the Governor
or any one acting under .lS authority, to call out
the entire militia of any County in North Carolina
| and RENDEZVOUS them at points distant from their
own h0mesand. fires des. The hazard is immense and
should never be incurred but under the most urgent
and imperious necessity. Had the Naval expedition
actually attacked our coast it may have been wise
but we doubt it, even in that case but as the feet
has passed by and what the storm has left of it will
doubtless attack Port Royal or some point south of
u.s. we hope those excellent officers will forthwith
countermand the order and return them to their own
homes Immediately. The Wilmington Journnlsa says
that the people of New Hanover and Brunswick have
turned out almost en- aasse at the call of Gen. An
derson We rejoice at this. 1t shows the patriot
ism of our people and their ready obedience to law
and authority We hope all the Counties will mani
fest the same patriotic spirit.
Our readers are aware that we have time and
again urged our authorities months ago. to re-or-
ganize the militia of the State, and require them to
drill in companies near their own hones at least
once a aceek We have shown that the necessity for
that course was urgent We felt sure that our coast
would he attacked; not that We expected the pre-
sent large Naval expedition to do So but we may
expect to be harrassed our coast all winter at in
tervals With the regular force we have on or con-
tiguous to the coast, and with militia drilled at
home, from whom drafts for short time might BE-
| mH0G
mcnts warning be prepal ed to resist any force that
might come. But the idea of calling out the entir.
militia of all Counties bordering on the coast al
once to leave their homes and crops ungathered
surely never entered our head. And why?
First, because such call must be exceedingly
damaging to the health of our people. Summoned
from home without preparation to points where ne
provision has been made IN tents camp equipage, &c.
for SO large number, such exposure and discomfor
even for few days must place threeourths of then
upon the sick list and render them unable for ser
vice. -
Secondly, because of their ineficency when thu
summoned Undrilled and unprovided with suita
and many of them without officers of experience
they could only contribute to demoralize and ham
per those who might be efficient
Thirdly, because it is a heavy burden imposed
partially Why should the entire militia Of thos
Counties most exposed be called away from hom
at time when most needed, and those of the Coun
ties of Columbus Bladen, Robson, Sampson, Dup
lin, Onslow, Wayne, Pitt, Wilson, Edgecombe Hall
fax, Northampton, Hertford, and indeed any of tn
Counties in the Eastern and middle portions of tn
State be exempt? Are not all alike interested in
! ssting the invader? Should We not make commo
D cause with all and each section Of the State? Cel
, tainly.
But tourthly, and though last, not least becaus
of the defenceess condition of the population of th
Counties thus decimaled of their entire militia
This is most serious consideration. The preser
militia law requires duty of all white males betwee
the ages of 1s and so years. Who are left to prote.
the defenceless women and children, with servi
population in their midst, ready to be the dupes {
wicked and vile men! We are not alarmists. W
believe that our servile population, antampered wit
and let alone, may be generally relied on. But
it safe, when we are at war with a-demon like fo
whose expeditions to the South have carte bSanef
from their government to delude, steal and ARA
that part of our population against our defsncelet