The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-17
THE NEW MILITARY OR coNSCR1PTIoN



LAW.
no 4bis law of Congress as at first published by
us, there were subsequently passed several amend
ments or auxiliary laws. We present the follow
iny svnopsis of the law as 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 1t:
The conscription 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 as TO exemptions; but act
defining the class of exempts has been passed,
which embraces generally those hitherto exempt,
with some addItIonS
! An twelve months men. between the prescribed
ares are continued in service for two years from
the expiration Of their present term, should the
continue so long; and all those under eighteen and
over thirtyfye, 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 in such numbers and at
! such times as the Secretary OF War may deem
most compatible with the public Interest," aid the
men may receive in lieu of furlough, the commuta-
ton value in money of the transportation granted
| to furloughcd men by the act.
The term of service of those who originally en-
/
| that period. is not affected by the law
! Men now in service not permitted TO re-enlist
! in other organizations than those to which they
now belong; and all re-enlistments that have been
made from existing company to another, or into
a new company where the re-enlistment has not
been perfected by actual transfer is in effect
| ceued.
! Companies battalions and regiments of twelve
months men, retained III 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 eecting all their Of
! ficers whom they had right heretofore to elect.
| Companies, battalions squadrons or regiments
! organized or 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 i'll 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 regimental officers.
To enroll the persons contempla ed by the act
and not in service, the President may, with the
consent 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 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.
act, may, application of the Secretary of the
| Navy, be transferred to the naval service,
If, after filling up the companies, regiments, bat
talioms and squadrons from any State, there shall
remain any of the enrolled men, the excess shall be
kept a reserve, and at stated intervals not ex-
ceeiing three months. details, to be made hy lot.
! shall be drawn from the to keep the COM
/ pancs nearly full practicable. The persons
so reserved remain at home until called into service,
and receive pay until actually mustered in.
They are not, while at home in reserve subject
to the rules and articles of except that if they
wlfuy refuse to obey call of the President they
shall be held deserters, and punished as such.
Whenever the President shall think that the
exigencies of the service require it. he may call into
active service tie 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 earbine
cepted efficient weapon, shall receive the
value of it ascertained by the mastering officer
under such regulations the Secretary of War
may prescribe, or if the be unwilling to sell,
he shall receive one dollar month for the of
such
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 or regiment in
which such vacancies occur, by promotion accord
ing to seniority, except in case of disability
other inc0mpetcncy.
The President may, however fill a vacancy by
promoting any officer of the company, battalion,
squadron. or regiment, who may have been dis
tmgushcd 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 or the President may promote
to such vacancy n-commssoned officers or
prlvates who have distinguished themselves by skill
and valor in the service. Persons NOT now in
service may, before being enrolled, volunteer with
| existing companies in service.
ExEMpTTONS