The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-23
NEW MILITARY OR THE coNsCRIPTIoN


/ To this law of Congress at first published by
US, there subsequently passed several amend
ments or auxiliary laws. We present the follow
inc synopsis Of the law as thus modified, which
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
sooner ends, ali 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 but 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 trrm should the war,
continue long; and all those under eighteen and
over thirty five, to be retained for ninety days
after their term expires, unless their places
sooner supplied by recruits.
The twelve months men, between eighteen and
thirty-ive, who are retained beyond their term Of
enlistment. and who have not yet received bounty
and Through, shall receive both; the furloughs,
however, r. be granted in such numbers and at
such times 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 in money of the transportation granted
to furIoughed men by the act
The term of service of those who originally en-
listed for the war; or who have since enlisted for
that period is not affected by the law.
Men in service not permitted to e-cnst
in other organizations than those to which thcv
now belong; and all re cnlstments that have been
made from existing company to another, or into
a company, where the re-cnlistmcnt has not
been perfected by actual transfer, is i'll effect
ccllcd.
Companies hattaons 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-organizc, by clccting all their of
fccrs whom they had Il right heretofore to elect.
Companies, battalionS'- Squadrons, or regiments
organized, in process OF organization, by
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
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 authorized TO organize, and elect their
company, battalion and rcgncntal officers.
To enroll the persons contemplated by the act
and not in service, the President may, with the
consent ofhe Governors of the States, employ State
officers; ifsuch consent cannot be obtained, Con-
tcdcratc 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 froa which such
persons are drawn; until each company is filled to
its maximum number
Scamcn and ordinary seamcn, enrolled undcY the
act, may, 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 snail
remain amy of the enrolled men, the excess shall be
kept reserve. and at stated intervals, not cx-
ceedng three months, details, to be made by lot.
shall be drawn from the reserve to keep the com
panics as nearly full practicable. The persons
so reserved remain at home until called into SERVICE
and receive no pay until actually mustered in.
TEey NOT, white III l.uttc III reserve, subject
to the rules and articles Of war except that if they
wiIuIy refuse to obey call Of the President they
shall be held as dcserters, and punished ; such. /
Whenever the President shall think that the
eXIgenclcS OF the service require it, he may call into
active service the entire reserve. or so much as NAV
be necessary, and they shall be organized under
such rules Us 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 or carbinc ac-
orpted as an efficient weapon, shall receive the
value of it asccrtaincd by the mastering officer
under such regulations the Secretary of War
may prescribe, or if the owner be unwilling TO sell
ne shall receive enc dollar month for the use of
such arm.
Persons not liable to duty may be received ~
under such regulations the Secretary
If War may prescribe.
Vacancies Shall be filed by the President from
he company, battalion, squadron or regiment in |
which such vacancies occur, by promotion accord
ng to seniority, except in case of disability or
,thcr incompetcncy.
The President may, however. fill vacancy by
any officer of the company, buttaIion
,quadron OF regiment, who may have been dis
inguishcd in the service by valor and skill without
reference to seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
grade of commissioned officers of u Company shall
DC filled by election the President may promote
o such Vacancy non-commissioncd officers or
'rivatcs who have disting ushcd themselves by skill
md Vaior in the service. Persons NOT now in
'r'icc may before being enrolled, volunteer with
'AistlnS companies now in service.