The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-30
NEW MILITARY OR THE coNscRIPTIoN

LAW.
To this law of Congress as at first published by
us, 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
general understanding OF 1t
The CONSUMPTION law places in the service of the
Confederate States for three years. unless the war
sooner ends all white men between eighteen and
thirty 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 the prescribed
ages are continued in service FOR two years from
the expiration of their present term should the war
continue so long; and all those under eighteen and
over thirty FIVE 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-fye. who are retained beyond their term of
enlistment. and who have not yet received bounty
and furough. 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 communal
ton value in money OF the transportation granted
to furloughed men by the act.
The term of service of those who originally
listed for the war; who have since re-enlisted for
that period, is not affected by the law.
Men now in service not permitted to re -enlist
in other organizations than those to which they
now belong; and all re-enlisments that have been
made from one existing company to another, into
new company, where the enlistment has not
been perfected by actual transfer, is in effect can
cellcd.
Companies, battalions and regiments of twelve
months men, retained in service by the act, shall
be entitled, within forty days from the date of the
act, day to be fixed by the Commander of the
Brdgadc, to ro-organize, by electing all their of
fcers whom they had right heretofore to elect.
Companies, battalions, squadrons regiments
organized, or in process of organization, by au-
th0rity 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 in that number persons in service shall be
mustered into the service of the Confederate States
and be received i'll that arm of the service in which
they authorized to organize and elect their
company. battalion and regimental officers.
70 enroll the persons contemplated by the act
and not in service, the President may, with the
of the Governors of the States, employ State
officers; if such consent cannot be obtained, Con-
federate officers shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent.
Persons not now in service, who shall be enrolled
shall be assigned by the Secretary of War to the
different companies of the State from which such
persons drawn; until each company is filled to
its maximum number.
Seamen and ordinary seamen enrolled under the
act. may. on application of the Secretary of the
Navy, be transferred to the naval service,
IT, after filing up the companies, regiments, bat
taiOns and squadrons from any State, there shall
remain any of the enrolled men, the shall be
kept as Il 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
panics nearly full Is practicable. The persons
reserved remain ut home until called into service.
and receive 10 pay until actually mustered in.
They are not, while at home in reserve, subject
to the rules and articles of except that if they
wilfully refuse to obey call of the President they
shall be held deserters, and punished 5 such
Whenever the President shall think that The
exgences 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, rife or carbine
cPpted as an efficient weapon, shall receive the
value of it ascertaincd by the mastering officer
under such regulations the Secretary of War
may prescribe, or if the owner be unwilling to sell,
he shall receive one dollar month for the use of
such
Persons not liable to duty may be received as
substitutes under such regulations as the Secretary
of War may prescribe.
Vacancies shall be filled by tie President from
the company. battalion, squadron or regiment in
which such vacancies occur, by promotion accord
ing to seniority, except in case of disability or
other Ecompetency.
The President may, however. fill vacancy by
promoting amy officer of the company battalion.
squadron or regiment, who may have been dis
ngushed in the service by valor and skill without
reference to seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
grade ut commissioned officers of a Company shall
be filled by election or the President may promote
to such vacancy non commissioned officers
prvates. who have distinguished themselves by skill
and valor in the service. Persons NOT now in
service may, before being enrolled, volunteer with
existing companies in service
EXEMPTIONS
Lndcr tie ConScription Lac Of Compress.