The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-11-11
ACTS =.
OF THE LATE SESSION OF CONGRESS.

We avail ourselves of the following abstract of
the acts of the late session of Congress, which
ind IN the Richmond Whig. 1t will answer a
great many questions as to what Congress did and
did not:
Bill No 4-Provides for the organization of
army corps, to be commando by Lieutenant 6 en-
erals
No. 32-Authorizes the President to organize
divisions Of the provisional army in army corps,
and appoint officers to the command thereof
No. 5-Authorizes the appointment of addi-
tlonal officers of artillery for ordnance duties.
No. Makes it the duty of the Secretary of
War to transfer any private or non-commssoncd
otilcer who may be in regiment from State Of
this ConteGeracy other than his own, to regiment
from his State, whenever such private or
non-commissioned officer may apply for such
transfer, and whenever such transfer can be made
without injury to the public service. This act
does not apply to any one who has enlisted u
substitute.
No. 26-Authorizes the Secretary of War to
furnish transportation whenever he grants trans
fer agreeable to the act No. I.
No. l0-Confers rank on officers of the Eng-
necr Corps of the Provisional Army equal to that
Of the Engineer Corps Of the Confederate States
Army. ..
No. 16-Increases the Signal Corps.
No. LIS the Corscript Act. .
No. 25-Exends the provisions of an act ap-
proved August 3lst, 1861, relative to Adjucants,
so as to apply to independent battalions, etc.
No. 30.-Provides that claims due to deceased
non-commissioned officers and privates for pay al
lowances, and bounty, may be audited and paid
without requiring the production of a payroll
from the commanding officer, where there is other
official evidence. The other sections of this act
Drnyi0e for he emDlOvn.eDt of adaitional ClorkS
and otherwise for the prompt settlement of the
claims of deceased officers and soldiers
No. 37.--Authorizes the establishment of
camps of instruction in the several States, and
the appointment Of officers to command the same
No. 3S.-Requres the Secretary of War to
furnish uniform clothing to soldiers, instead of
communication therefor.
No. 42.-Provjdes that all persons subject to
enrolment for military service may be enrolled
schererer foumd unless in actual service, without
the limits of the State, as ! member of military
organization under any State law. The President
is authorized to suspend the execution of this act
as regards the residents of any locality where it
may be impracticable to execute the conscripton
laws.
No. 43.-Provldes for the organization of mill
tary courts to attend the army in the field. Each
court shall consist of three members, to be ap-
pointed by the President, and its jurisdiction
shall extend to all offences now cognizable by
courts martial, etc. .. g. g.. .ry.
No 47.-Authorizes the President to accept
and place in service regiments battalions which
were organized prior to 1st October, 1862, al
though composed in part of persons between the
ages of lS and 80. Also, companies, battalions
or regiments of infantry, raised or organized be-
fore lst OF December next, in middle and Wes:
Tennessee, or in North Carolina, East of the Will
miugton and Weldon railroad-and troops to Sc
lect their own officers, for frst election, but all
vacancies to be filled by the President
No. 4S.-Adds to the Adjutant and Inspector
Generals Department one Assistant AdjutaDt
General, with the rank of Colonel
No. 49.-Establishes places of rendezvous for
the examination of enrolled men.
No. 5l.-Provides for raising forces in the
States of Missouri and Kentucky.
No. 52-Secures to all soldiers VINO shall have
entered the army for three years or the war, the
bounty granted by act of December 11th, 1861,
o. been honorably discharged before the expira-
ton of the first years service of his term.
No. 53-Is the redemption act"
No. 63-Allows to cadets in the service of the
G. S. the same pay as second Lieutenants of the
arm of service to which they are attached.
No 65-Provides for relieving the army of die
qualified, disabled and incompetent officers. The
ist section authorizes the General Commanding a
department to appoint Examining Board to in
quire into and determine the qualifications of off,
GERS brought to their attention. The I'd section
provides that whenever the Board shall determine
that any officer is clearly unfit to perform his egit
innate and proper duties, or careless and indten-
tire in their discharge, they shall report their de-
cision to the General who is authorized to sus-
pend said officer, and directed to transmit the de-
cision ETC., to the Secretary Of War. Under the
Sd section, the Secretary, if he approve the find
ing of the Board and the action of the General,
shall lay the same before the President, who Is
authorized to retire honorably without pay, or
drop from the army, the officer who has been
found unfit for his position. The 4th and 9th
sections relate to filing vacancies.
No. 70-AuthoriZes the grant OF medals and
badges of distinction as a reward for courage and
good conduct on the field of battle.
No. 72-Authorizes any number OF persens
not less than twenty, who are not liable to mill
! tary duty, to associate themselves as military
company for local defence, elect their own officers,
ETC., and shall be considered as belonging to the
! Provisional Army serving without pay, and entl-
tied, when captured by the enemy, to all the priv
! ieses of war. The muster rolls of said compa-
nies are to be forwarded to the Secretary of War
! and the President, or the commander OF the
military district may, at any time, dlsband such
companies, etc.
No. 73-Authorizes the President to appoint
twenty general officers in the Provisional Army
and to assign them to such appropriate duties al
he may deem expedient.