Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-05-17
An Act to Raise, Organize and
Equip a Provisional Force and
for other Purposes.

of the State Of Tennessee, That it shall be the duty
of the Governor of the State to raise organize and
equip, provisional force of volunteers for the de-
ense of the State, to consist of fty-6ve thousand
volunteers twenty-five thousand of whom or any
less number which the wants of the service may
demand, shall be fitted for the field at the earliest
practicable moment and the remainder of which
shall be held in reserve ready to march at short no.
tice. And should it become necessary for the safety
of the State, the Governor may call out the whole
available military strength of the State
SEC. 2. Be il further enacted That in the perfor-
nance of this duty the Governor shall take charge
of the military, direct the military defence of the
State organize the different arms and with the con-
currence of the Military and Financial Board here
in after provided for control the Military fund.- make
contracts fr arms ordinance ordinance stores pro-
cure material for the construction of arms, employ
Iartfcers, organize one or more armories for the
construction of arms and do all other things nee
essary for the speedy and efficient organization of
force adequate for the public safety. And he shall
organize Military and Financial Board to consist
of three persons, Of which he shall be o6fcio
President and who shall discharge such duties as
he may assign them in effeotng the objects and pur
poses of this act and appoint such number of clerks
as may be necessary under such rules and regula-
tions as they may adopt.
| SEC 3. Be IL further enacted That the force pro-
vded for by this act shall be organized into regi-
ments, brigades and divisions and the whole to he
commanded by the senior Major General who shall
Immediately enter upon the duty of organizing the
entire force for the field, the force authorized by
this act shall be mustered into service for the peri
od of twelve months, unless sooner discharged.
Sec 4. BE further enacted That the staff of said
force shall consist of one Adjutant General one
| Inspector General one Paymaster General, one
Commissary General one Quartermaster General
and one Sergeant General with such number of as
sistants of each the wants of the service may
quire and that the rank of Quartermaster General
Inspector General, Aduant General and Commis-
sary General shall be that of Colonel of Cavalry,
and the rank of their assistants shall be that of
Lieutenant Colonel and Major of Infantry and Cap
tain of Cavalry, all of whom shall be appointed by
the Governor. subject to the confirmation of the
General Assembly in joint session.
ProDited, That the Governor may fill vacancies
in said Offices occurring when the Legislature may
not be in session, and the appontees shall at once
enter into the discharge of their duties subject to
the confirmation of the Legislature when thereaf-
ter in session. There shall likewise be appointed
by the Governor, subject to like confirmation, one
ordnance officer, with the renk of Colonel of Infan-
try, who shall take charge o. the Ordnance Bureau
of the State direct the construction of arms, under
the Governor and Military and Finance Board re-
ceivc or reject the same, certify the fufment of
contracts and have the general supervision of the
armory of the State with such assistants as the SER
vice may require not exceeding three, who shall
have the rank and pay of Captain Of infantry The
members of the Military and Financial Board shall
be nominated by the Governor and confirmed by
the General Assembly.
! SIC. 5. Be IL further enacted That there shall be
organized by the Governor Medical Department,
consisting of the Surgeon General and two other
Surgeons the members of which Department shall
he nominated by the Governor and confirmed by
the General Assembly, who shall examine all appli-
cans for Surgeon and assistant Surgeon and certi-
e. lair Al
sion in said service and which Department shall be
subject to Field service as other Surgeons of the
army. And the said Department are hereby direct
ed, other things being equal, to recommend from
volunteer forces such Reginental Surgeons and As
sistants as the service may require
SIC. C. BE il fnrther enacted That there shall be
two Major Generals and such number of Brigadier
Generals as the proper and efficient command of
said force may require. who shall be nominated by
the Governor and confirmed by the General Assem-
lby, with power TO appoint their own staff and a
Chief of Engineers with such Assistants as the
service may require, to be nominated and confirmed
in the same manner.
SEC. 7. BE IL further snacted, That the senior Ma
jor General shall Immediately enter upon the duty
of organizing the whole force for the field
SEC. g. BE Il further enacted That the Governor
be authorized to determine the field of duty which
the safety Of the State may require and direct said
forces accordingly.
DEC. y, beH Jhrther enacted, That for the purpose
of carrying out the provisions of this act the Gov
ernor Of the State is hereby authorized issue and
dispose of five million dollars Of the bonds Of the
State Of Tennessee, similar in all respects to the
bonds Of the State heretofore issued, EXCEPT that
they shall not have than ten years TO run fol
maturity and bear interest at the rate of eight pei
D cent per annum, payable semi-annually at such
point as may be therein designated; ProVdsd Tha
three millions Of said bonds shalt be held MS con-
tingent reserved fund and not used unless in the
opinion Of the Governor, by and with the concur
renee and advice Of the Military and Financia
70 Board the exigencies of the service aud the publ,
safety mperatiyely demand II aud said bonds shal
:, be 10 denomination of not less than one hundred
2 greater than one thousand dollars.
u SEc. TO- Be IL further enacted That the publi
faith and credit Of the State is hereby pledged 70
= the payment Of the interest on said bonds aud tn
= final redemption Of the same; and that an annua
tax Of eight cents on the one hundred dollars Ia
property and half cent upon the dollar on III
sales Of merchandise or invoice cost whether bough
4, in out Of the State Of Trnuossee which said on