Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-13
sally Batea of Advertisfsg.
4 PLAN 70 AUsM MzNF TEE DERRN-
sgvE FGRCE OF THE STATE.

ssvE FORCE OF TE1E STATE.
To His ExeeIleney John , Pettus, Governor Of th.
State o. Mississippi:
Your Exeellency is addressed by private eli.
izan, sub nolliHis nmJra, for tie reason thst b,
should presume, if his name were known, Il
would add ne weight to the views he may ad
.vsuce aud, also, that your EzseIleucy will duly
weigh aud appreciate any suggestions bearing
upon the safety Of the State at this important
crisis, though such suggestions be wholly with
out sil from weight of individual character.
The plan, Of which I shall submit rough out
lines, is either wholly vs,ueless or Of immense
value. Il embraces the startling proposition to
raise fifty thousand additional soldiers in the
State Of Mississippi, stout, able aud willing
aud, if other States shall follow cur example.
which is probable, Of sugmenting the defensive
force Of the C5nledsracy, three hundred Thousand
effective soldiers an aware Of stating these
round numbers at some hsza1d Of iusecuracy,
for tie want Of proper statistics; but it viii suE
foe If the numbers are accurate enough to sUs-
tain principle. That the plan is perfectly
prseticsble believe no reasonable msn viii
doubt Its efficiency viii greatly depend upon
the force Of legal sanctions 1t csn do no harm.
It VIII cost nothing, excepting the cost Of a
short session Of the legislature but on the con-
trary viii save much, If not sll the cost Of the
existing militia system It viii inspirit the
country, will give confidence to fsmilies, viii
bring forward effective armies, viii not lessen
she productive Industry OF the country, but viii
increase by protecting it. viii protect private
property, WiI force the unwilling to aid the pairi-
Ole and brave, VIII suppress Instructions and
will raise, pTobsbly, city thousand additional
soldiers in the S.aie, as good as any, to aid in
rzGolIing the hated fje. Indeed, there is but one
important difficulty in the way which IS the diff
fcuIfy OF CD tanning srms and ammunition. But
the plan itself viii bring forward thousands of
efficient guns, IN the possession Of citizens and
tbere is reason to believe tha. The State and the
Colf-deracy ear aid IN furnishing arms and am
munit5n
It's proposed ihst . session Of the Legislature
be imz-e1iatcly convened, and that an act be
passed providing Eor eur-l'iDg in tie militia Of
every youth in the State below tho ConialeTsts
conseriptiou limit down TO sixteen years Of
age, and Of every man, without exception, above
the consc-. .ption limit that the persons thus ea-
rolled be orgauizsd; First, in each township.
Second, in each county. Third, in tie ate,
with proper cficersi that they meet in their
respective townships every week, and drill from
tTo 10 four hours; and that they meet and
muster in each county once every month. Let
l. BE- provided that every a-izen shall bJng io2-
ward his gun, or guns, Of which an account
shall be taken. which arms shall be kept by the
owners ready for service. If there be a defect
Of Grms f5s the men Of any township, the State
shall supply them as far as practicable, calling
upon tie Confederate government for aid, IF
Necessary, by leaving such guns as can be
spaired. even though some be defective.
Each tovnahip shall be supplied with smmu
Uition suitable to arms &c fsf as practicable,
which shall be carefully kept at some point il
each township, to be used in the public service.
The men Of each township should be subject
70 the esl of tine proper efiesr to march to any
F,oint in the township, and to be in active service
till dismissed; 50 also the men Of each county,
81 the cslI Of the proper oficeri and the militia
Of tire whole State al the call of the governor.
Provided, That not more than half the men
Of any county shall be forced to leave tire
couDty. but may volunteer 70 DO so.
No pay should be allowed to officers or men,
but sasterance should be provided at the ex-
psase Of the State when in active service.
When the men are called into service they
shall be subject strictly to military law.
By rules, 70 Be prescribed, persons peTma-
rertiy and wholly disabled to serve may be per
r,sneutly exempted, and others may be excused
from time 10 time by reason Of temporary disa-
biliiy-
Ii is suggested that the proposed Organize
tion might b. made to supercede the existing
militia system.
Nv purpose has been 70 give only such an
r7ltiire as 10 show the principles Of plan Ny
,isV-s thus roughly sketched have been submit
ted orally 70 several intelligent and influential
r.itfzsus. who have expressed their hearty sp-
r,revsl. ard suggested that 1 should reduce
tb,m 20 form and submit them to the pUbllS
I sddress them thrOugh The press 10 your Excel
leucy. in the humble hope that you viii give
them your thoughtfui attention may here
after advance some reasons 30 support my
TroDositien. SIDsEY HAMPDEN.