The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-06
THE NEW MILITARY OR 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 tho follow
ing synopsis OF the law thus modified, which VIC
are satisfied will be found correct in the hope and
belief that it will prove useful in contributing to
general understanding of it:
The con$crpton 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 10 exemptions; but an act
defining the class of exempts has been passed.
which embraces generally those hitherto exempt,
with additions.
All twelve months men, between the prescribed
ages, are continued in service :or two wears from
the expiration of their present term should the
continue long; and all those under eighteen and
thirty-five to be returned for ninety days
after their term expires unless their places are
sooner supplied by recruits.
The twelve months men. between eighteen and
trty-fve, who are retained beyond their term of
enlistment. and who have not yet received bounty
and furLnugh. 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 furough, the commuta
ton value i'll money of the transportation granted
to furl"ughed men by the act.
The term of service of those who originally en-
listed for the war, who have since re-enlstcd for
that period. is not affected by the law.
Men now in service not permitted TO 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
n new company, where the re-enliStmemt has not
been perfected by actual transfer, is in effect
ccllcd
Companies. bnttalions and regiments of twelve
mnnths-mrn, retained in service 10y the act, shall
be entitled within forty days from the date IF the
act "ma day to be fixed by the Commander of the
Bridgadc to re-Organize, by electing all their of
fcrrs whom they had right heretofore to elect.
Companies, battuOnS squadrons, regiments
organized, or in 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
ever, in that number persons in service shall be
mustered into the service of the Confederate States
aid 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 in service the President may, with the
consent of the Governors of the States employ State
officers; if such consent cannot be obtained, Con-
tederHte officers shall be appointed by the Rresi
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 are drawn: until each company is filled to
its maximum number.
Srumrn and ordinary seamcn, enrolled under the
net, may, on application of the Secretary of the
Navy b" transferred to the naval service,
IT, after filling up the companies, regiments. bat
ali"ms aud <qundrons from any State there shall |
'emaIn any of the enrolled men, the shall DO
kept a. reserve, and at stated intervals. not px-
;erding three months, details, TO be made by lot.
shall be drawn from the to keep the com
1aIIIrS as nearly full as practicable. The persons
20 reserved remain at home until called into service.
md receive no pay until actually mustered in.
They are not while at homo in reserve, subject
" the rules and articles of war except that if they
Viltuly refuse to obey call of the President they
hall be held As desertcrS. and punished as such.
Whenever the President snail think that The
xigencies of the service require it, he NAV call into
ctlve service the entire much as NAV
&c necessary, and they shall be organized under
uch rules as the Secretary of War may adopt and
hall elect their field and company officers.
The reserves from each State, when thus called
ut. shall be organized separately.
Every man mustered into service, who shall Bring
nth him muskrt shot gun. rifle carbine uc-
opted as an efficient WEAPON shall receive the
aue "t 1t us aScrrtained by the mastering officer
nder such regulations the Secretary of War
lay prescribe, or if the owner he unwilling to sell,
q shall receive dollar a month for the use of
UGH arm.
Persons not liable to duty may be received as
Institutes, under such regulations as the Secretary
War may prescribe.
Vacancies shall be filled by the President from
ne company, battalion, squadron regiment in
Inch such vacancies occur by promotion accord ,
y 10 seniority except in case of disability or
Their incOmpetency. .
Ih" President may. however. fill a vacancy bv
F"m"ting any officer of the company, battalion. 1.
luadr"n' or regiment. who may have been dis |
Suls"d III the service by vGlor and skill. without
terence t" seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
rade OF commissioned officers of u Company shall
{ hIicd by election or the President may promote
such vacancy non-commiSSioncd officers or
rlvateS who have distinguished themselves by skill
III 'ai"r III the service. Persons NOT now in {.
'rric", may, before being enrolled, volunteer with
visiting companies in service