The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-16
NEW MILITARY OR THE coNscRIPTIoN
LAW.

To this law of Congress as at first published by
u.s. there we're subsequently passed several amend
ing synopsis of the law thus modified, which we
are satisfied will be found correct, in the hope and
belief that it will 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
thirtyve years of age, resident in the Confederate
States and not legally exempt from service.
The law is silent to exemptions; but an act
defining the class of exempts 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 tho war
continue so long; and all those under eighteen and
over thirty five 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-fve, who retained beyond their term of
enlistment. and who have not yet received bounty
and furlough. shall receive BOTH the furoughs,
however, to be granted in 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 commute
ton value in money of the transportation granted
TO furlOughed men by the act.
The term of service of those who originally en-
listed for the war; who have since re-enlisted for
that period, is not affected by the law.
in other organizations than those to which they
now belong; and all eenlistments that have been
made from existing company to another, or into
new company, where the re-enlistment has not
been perfected by actual transfer, is in effect can
celled.
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, on day to be fixed by the Commander of the
Bridgade to re-organiZe, by electing all their of
tboy had a obi q ell
Companies, battaons, squadrOns, or egments
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
in that number persons now IN service shall be
mustered into the service of the Confederate States
and be received in that arm of the service in which
they were authorized to organize, and elect their
company, battalion and regmental officers
To enroll the persons contemplated by the act
and not now in 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
act, 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 as q reserve, and at stated intervals not
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 in.
They not while at home in reserve, subject
TO the rules and articles of war except that if they
lf,ny of,-o oohp 1l1f4 ~,
shall be held deserters. and punished us such.
Whenever the President shall think that the
exgencies of the service require it, he may call into
active service the entire reserve. or 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 muskct, shot gun, rife carbine ac-
cepted as an efficient weapon, shall receive the
value of it as ascertaned 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 of disability or
other incompetency.
The President may, however, fill a vacancy by
promoting any officer of the company, battalion,
squadron. or regiment, who may have been dis
tinguished in the service by valor and skill without
reference to seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
grade of commissioned officers of a 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.