The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-08-26
NEW MILITARY OR THE coNscRIPTION
LAW,

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
inc 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
genera; understanding Of it
The CONSUMPTION law places in the service Of the
Confederate States, for three years, unless the
sooner ends all white men between eighteen and
thirty five years of age resident in the Confederate
States. and not legally exempt from service
The law is silent as to exemptions; but an act
defining the class of exrmpts has been passed,
which embraces generally those hitherto exempt.
with some additions.
All twelve months men, between the prescribed
ages. continued in service for two years from
the expiration of their present term. should the
continue so long; and all those under eighteen and
over thirtyfvc, 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 retained beyond their term of
! enlistment. and who have not yet received bounty
and furlough. shall receive both; the furloughs,
however. to be granted in such numbers and at
such times 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 trans portation granted
to furOughCd men by the act.
! The term of service of those who originally en-
listed Tor the who have since recnlisted for
/ l.
Men now in service not permitted to rc-cnliSt
in other organizations than those to which they
now belongs and all re-cnistments that have been
made from one existing company to another, or into
( Il company, whore the re-en<tmrnt has not
been perfected by actual transfer is in effect
cccd.
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
Rid -qln .tinCr oil oi,
ficcrs whom they had right heretofore to elect.
Companies, battaons, squudrons, or regiments
. organized, or i'll process OF organization, by au-
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
in that number persons now in SERVICE shall be
mustered into the service Of the Confederate States
and be received in that of the service in which
they authorized TO organize, and elect their
company, battalion and regmental officers.
To enroll the persons contemplated by the act
and not now in service the President may, with the
of the Governors of the States employ State
officers; if such consent cannot be obtained, Con-
fedcrate 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.
Scamen and ordinary seamcn, enrolled under the
act, may, on application of the Secretary of the
Navy, be transferred to the naval service,
If, after filling up the companies regiments, bat
tall"nS and squadrons from any State. there shall
remain any of the enrolled men, the excess shall be
kept as il reserve, and stated intervals, not ex-
cccding three months. Details to be made hv let
shall be drawn from the reserve to keep the com
pancs as nearly full practicable. The persons
5" reserved remain ut home until called into service,
and receive no pay until actually mustered in.
They are not. while at home in reserve, subject
81, L Z
wilfully refuse to obey call of the President they
shall be held as dcscrters, and punished as such.
Whenever the President shall think that :he
eXlgcnclcs 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 as 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 man mustered into service, who shall brine
with him muSkct, shot gun, rifle or carbinc ac-
c"ptrd as an efficient weapon, shall receive the
value of it aSccrtainrd by the mastering officer
under such regulations the Secretary of War
may prescribe, or if the be unwilling to SELL
he shall receive dollar month for the use of
such arm.
Persons not liable to duty may be received as
substitutes, under such regulations the Secretary
of w ar may prescribe.
Vacancies Shall be filled by the President from
the company, battalion, squadron regiment in
winch such vacancies occur, by promotion accord
ing to seniority, except i'll of disability or
other incompetency.
The President may, however. fill n vacancy by
promoting amy officer of the company battalion.
SIuadr"n or regiment who may have been dis |
nguishcd in the service by valor 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-commiSSioncd officers or
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 III service.