Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-11-07
- 81. s..us.rd

meeting OF the Citizens OF Martin, HALIFAX,
Berthe and Northampton Counties.
AT meeting Of the citizens Of Martin, Halifax,
BERTHE and Northampton counties, which was, held
at GAINESVILLE, HALIFAX county, on Saturday, the
18th October. 1862, it was
ResoLged, That five hundred copies. of an Act
to authorize the formation of Companies for Local
Defence be printed and distributed throughout
the counties Of Warren, Martin, Halifax, BERTHE
and Northampton, and that committee of three
be appointed, who shall issue an address to bt
published with the said act calling the attention
of citizens thereto, and urging upon them the for
nation of such companies for home defence and
County Police
In accordance with said resolution, the under
signed, who were appointed q committee for the
purpose respectfully present to their ellowcitlzens
the act and address following:
AN ACT TO AUTHoRIsE TIE FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER
COMPANIES FOR LOCAL Defence
The Congress Of the Confederate States Of Anneri
ca do enact That for the purpose of local defence
in any portion of the Confederate States any num-
Der of persons, not less than twenty, who are over
the age of fortyfve years, or otherwise not liable
to military duty, may associate themselves as a
military company, elect their own officers, ard es-
tablish rules and regulations for their own govern
men., and shall be considered as belonging to the
Provisional Army of the Confederate States, serv-
ing without pay allowances, and entitled, when
captured by the enemy, to all the privileges of priso
ners of war: PROVIDED, That such company shall,
practicable transmit their muster roll,
or list of the names of the officers and privates
thereof to the Governor of the State the Command
ing General Of the Department, any Brigadier
General in the State Confederate service, to be
forwarded to the Secretary of War but the Presi-
dent or the commander of the military district may
at any time, disband such companies Provided,
That in the States and districts in which the act
titled An act to further provide for the public de-
fence" approved April 10th, 1852, and the acts
amendatory thereof, have been suspended persons
of any age resident within such States or districts,
may volunteer and form part of such companies so
long as such suspension may continue: Provided,
That no person shall become member of said COM
pany until he shall have first taken the oath of allie
glance to the Confederate States of America writ
ing, copy of which shall be filed with the muster
roll of said company above prescribed.
Approved Oct. Is, 1862.
To the Citizens of Warren, Halifax, Martin,
Northampton and BERTHE Counties:
FELLOW CITIZENS The counties which you own
and occupy as your homes, form the margin of the
most fertile portion of the Valley of the Roanoke
These homes, SO dear to you, ruthless and nso-
lent foe, instigated by the lust OF rapine and plum
der, seeks to wrest from you. With all the means
and appliances which art wealth can furnish,
they make preparation to invade your soil and
drive you from the homes inherited from your faith.
erS, by the violent enforcement of their acts of
conhscation Ito deprive you of the fruit of long
years of toll and industry-to expel you from the
land made sacred by the graves of your ancestors
to proclaim unlicensed freedom to your slaves-and
thus turn these innocent jewellers in your house.
holds into savage and ruthless instruments of your
destruction.
Already by the occupation of Plymouth, do they
stand, it were upon the threshold of your DOORS
Even now do they thunder at your gates Already
have you heard the boom of their artillery, and
fIa -lon
nets and the flushing Of their guns as they attempt
the ascent of the river Will you stand unmoved?
Will you supinely rest at home whilst they come
with insolent and fell design, to overrun, drive out
and destroy? Will you plead exemption, age, or
substitutes in defence of your homes? No! you
will meet them as freemen should meet their foes
face to face and foot to foot you will stand and strike
for your homes and fatherland-strike for your
wives and your chldr, n-strike for your rights and
the precious boon of freedom
Rally, then, fcllow-cItIZenS, and to the rescue |!
Arise, D countrymen! and meet this hour of your
peril with calm and steadfast hearts, with earnest
and determined wills. Organise companies, form
yourselves into authorised bands devoted to the de-
fence OF your homes-to the maintenance of your
rights and property-to the preservation of good
order-to the destruction and determination of the
invader Form yourselves INTO companies under
the above rected act of Congress for local de-
fence. Elect officers good and true who will lead
you IN the pain OF honor and duty lis no hOli.
day parade to which you are summoned, but to
earnest work of men and patriots
Enroll, then, your names without delay with
those who have been appointed for the purpose |
prepare yourselves. for the encounter which may |
soon come-stand ready tic strike with brave hearts
md bold hands, till the last armed foe is driven
ANONYMOUSLY from the land and in after times,
when Peace shall again smile upon the country, and
prosperity visit your hearths you and your chill
ircn will turn with honest pride to the recollection
If that day when you stood forth at your countrys
all, ready to do all which becomes brave men in
he defence of country and home
RICHARD II. SMITH,
P: NJ EDMONDSTON, Com.
EDW'D C0NIGLAND,\