The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-02
NEW MILITARY OR THE coNscRTFTIoN
LAW.

LAW.
To this law Of Congress as at first published by
US there were subsequently passed several amend
mants or auxiliary laws. We present the follow
ING synopsis of the law thus modified, which we
are satisfied will be found correct an the hope and
belief that 1T viii prove useful in contributing to
general understanding of it
The CONSUMPTION law places in the service of the
Confederate States, for three years unless the war
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 to exemptions; bat an act
defining the class of cxempts has been passed,
which embraces generally those hitherto exempt
with some additions.
All twelve months men, between the prescribed
ages are continued in service FOR two years from
the expiration of their present term. should the war
continue SO long; and all those under eiShteen and
over thrty-ye, 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 i'll such numbers and at
such times as 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 i'll money OF the transportation granted
! to furloug he'd men by the act.
The term of service of those who orr inally en-
listed for the war, who have since reemlisted 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 rc-cnlistments that have been
made from existing company to another, or into
| q new company, where the re-cnlistment has not
been perfected by actual transfer, is in effect can
cclled
| 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. q day to be fixed by the Commander of the
! Bridgade, to re-Organzc by electinS all their of
| ficers whom they had right heretofore to elect
| Companies, battaliOns, sguadrOns. or regiments
organized, or in process of organization, by au-
thorty 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 now in service, shall be
mustered into the service of the Confederate States.
and be received in that of the service in which
they were authorized to organize, and elect their
company battalion and regimental officers.
To enroll the persons contemplated by the act,
and not i'm service, the President may, with the
consent of the Governors of the States, employ State
officers; if such consent cannot be obtained, Con-
federate 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.
Seamen and ordinary seamen, enrolled under the
net, may, on application of the Secretary of the
| Navy, be transferred to the naval service.
! If. after filling up the companies regiments, bat
talions and squadrons from any State, there shall
remain any of the enrolled men, the excess shall be
kept reserve, and at stated intervals, not ex-
ceeding three months, details, TO be made by lot.
shall be drawn from the reserve to keep the com
panies nearly full practicable. The persons
reserved remain at home until called into service,
and receive no pay until actually mustered i'll.
! They are not while at home in reserve, subject
to the rules and articles of war except that if they
wfuly refuse to obey a call of the Pre- sident they
| shall be held dcserters. and punished as such.
Whenever the President shall think that the
exgences 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 bring
with him musket, shot gun, rife carbine ac-
| cepted efficient weapon, shall receive the
value of it ascertained by the mastering officer
under such regulations the Secretary of War
may prescribe, if the owner be unwilling to sell,
! he shall receive one dollar month for the use of
| such arm.
| Persons not liable to duty may be received as
substitutes, under such regulations the Secretary
! of War may prescribe.
| Vacancies shall be filled by the President from
| the company, battalion, squadron regiment in
| which such vacancies occur, by promotion accord
! ing to seniority, except in case of disability or
| other incompetency.
! The President may, however. fill vacancy by
promoting any officer of the company, battalion,
! squadron. or regiment, who may have been dis
nguished in the service by valor and skill without
reference to seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
grade of commissioned officers of Company shall
| be filled by election the President may promote
! to such vacancy non commissioned officers or
privates who have distinguished themselves by skill
and valor in the service. Persons NOT now in
service, may before being enrolled, volunteer with
existing companies now in service.