The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-03
THE NEW MILITARY OR coNScRIPTION


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LAW.
To this law of Congress as at first published by
u.s. there were subsequently passed several amend
ments or auxiliary laws. We present the follow
ing synopsis of the law thus modified, which we
are satisfied will be found correct, in the hope and
belief that it will prove useful in contributing to a
general understanding ct it:
The CONSUMPTION law places in the service of the
Confederate States, for three years, unless the
sooner ends. all white between eighteen and
thirty five years of age resident in the Confederate
States and not legally exempt from service.
The law is silent to exemptions; but an act
defining the class of exempts has been passed
which embraces generally those hitherto exempt,
with some additions.
All twelve months men, between ire prescribed
ages are continued in service for two years from
the expiration of their present term should the
continue so long; and all those under hteen and
over thrty-fve, to be retained for ninety days
after their term expires unless their places are
sooner supplied by recruits.
The twelve months men. between eighteen and
thirty five who are retained beyond their term of
enlistment. and who have not yet received bounty
and furlough. shall receive both; the furoughs
however, to be granted in such numbers and at
such times as the Secretary of War may deem
most compatible with the public interest," and the
men may receive in lieu of furlOugh, the commuta-
ton value in money of the transportation granted
to furloughed men by the act.
The term of service of those who originally
that period. is not affected by the law.
Men in service not permitted to re-enlist
in other organizations than those to which they
now belong; and all re-enlistments that have been
made from one existing company to another or into
new company, where the reenlistment has not
been perfected by actual transfer, is in effect
celled.
Companies, battaIions and regiments of twelve
months men, retained in service by the act, shall
be entitled, within forty days from the date of the
act, on day to be fixed by the Commander Of the
Brdgade, to re-organize, by electng all their Of
fcers whom they had right heretofore to elect
Companies, battaEons, squadrons, or regiments
organized, in process of organization. by
thority from the Secretary of War, which may with
in thirty days from the passage OF the act, have the
whole number of men necessary to complete their
organization actually enrolled, not including, how
ever, i'll that number persons in service, shall be
mustered into the service of the Confederate States
and be received in that arm of the service in which
they authorized to organize, and elect their
company, battalion and regimental officers.
To enroll the persons contemplated by the act,
and not in service, the President may with the
consent of the Governors of the States employ State
officers; if such consent cannot be obtained, Con
federae officers shall be appointed by the Presi
dent.
Persons not now in service, who shall be enrolled,
shall be assigned by the Secretary Of Var to the
different companies of the State from Hich such
persons drawn until each company is filled to
its maximum number.
Seamen and ordinary seamen, enrolled under the
act, may, application of the Secretary of the
Navy, be transferred to the naval service,
If, after filing mp the companies, regiments, bat
talions and squadrons from any State, there shall
remain any of the enrolled men, the shall be
kept as reserve, and at stated intervals, not ex-
cecding three months, Details TO be made by lot
shall be drawn from the reserve to keep the COM
panes nearly full practicable The persons
reserved remain at home until called into service
and receive no pay until actually mustered in.
I'CC1- I'll, ..o
to the rnles and articles of except that if they
wlfuly refuse to obey call of the President they
shall be held deserters. and punished such.
Whenever the President shall think that the
exigencies of the service require it. he may call into
active service the entire reserve. much may
be necessary, and they shall be organized under
such rules the Secretary Of War may adopt, and
shall elect their field and company officers.
The reserves from each State, when thus called
out shall be organized separately.
Every mustered into service who shall bring
with him a musket, shot gun, rifle carbne ac-
cepted efficient weapon, shall receive tie
valne of it 5 ascertaned by the mastering officer
under such regulations as the Secretary of War
may prescribe, if the owner be unwilling to SELL
he shall receive dollar month for the use of
such
Persons not liable to duty may be received as
substitutes, under such regulations as the Secretary
of W ar may prescribe.
Vacancies shall be filled by the President from
the company, battalion, squadron regiment in
which such vacancies occur, by promotion accord
ing to seniority, except in of disability or
other incompetcncy.
The President may, however. fill a vacancy by
promoting any officer of the company, battalion
squadron. or regiment, who may have been dis
tlnguished i'll the service by vaor and skill without
reference to seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
grade of commissioned officers of a Company shall
be filled by election the President may promote
to such vacancy on-cOmmissiOned officers or
priyates who have distinguished themselves by skill
and valor in the service. Persons NOT in
service, may, before being enrolled, volunteer with
existing companies in service.
EXEMPTIONS
L"@cr the ConscriPtion Lac Of Congress-
bill entitled IAN act to exempt certain persons