The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-13
THE NEW MILITARY OR CONSUMPTION


To this law of Congress as at first published bv
us, there subsequently, passed several amend
ments or auxiliary laws. We present the follow
ing synopsis of the law as thus modified, which we
are satisfied will be found correct in the hope and
belief that it will prove useful i'll contributing to
general understanding of it:
The conscription law places in the service of the
Confederate Stntrs, for three years, unless the war
ends. all white men between eighteen and
thirty five years of age. resident III the Confederate
States, and not legally exempt from service
The law is silent as t" exemptions; but an act
defining the class of exrmpts 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 longs 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 mouths men. between eighteen and
ttirty-f who retained beyond their term of
enlistment. and who have not vet received bounty
and furIough. shall receive both; the furlougls
however, to be granted in such numbers and at
such times : the Secretary of War may deem
most compatible with the public interest; and the
may receive i'll lieu of furlough, the commuta-
tiun value in money of the trans SEPARATION granted
to furloug he'd men by the act.
The term of service of those who originally en-
listed for the who have since enlisted for
that period. is not affected by the law
Men in service are not permitted to re enlist
in either organizations than those to which they
now belong; and all e-enliStmentS that have been
made from existing Company to another. or into
Il company. where the re-rnli>tmrnt has not
been perfected by actual transfer is in effect CAN
cellcd.
Companies. battalionS and regiments af twelve
months men. retained in service by the act shall
be entitled, within forty days from the date of the
act, day to be fixed by the Commander of the
5rdgade, to r"-Organizr, by ercting all their Of
fccrS whom they had IL right heretofore to elect.
Companies, hatali"nS, squadron< regiments
organized, or in Vrncr<S of organization, by
thnritv from :hc Secretary of War. which may. with
in thirty days from the passage of the act, have the
whole number of men necessary tn complete their
organization actually enrolled. not including, how
in that number persons in service shall be
mustered into the service of the Confederate States
and be received in that arm of the service iii which
they were authorized to organize, and elect their
company, battali,'n and rcgimcmtHi officers.
To enroll the persons contemplated hy the act,
and not in service, the President may, with the
consent of the Governors of the States. employ state
officers; if such consent cannot be obtained, Con-
trd"rate officers shall bo appointed by the prrSi-
dent.
Persons not now in service who shall be enrolled,
shall assigned by the Secretary of War to the
different companies Of the State from whie sucI,
persons drawn; until each company is fill, d to
It's maximum number.
Sramen and ordinary Srnmcn, enrolled undrr the
act, may, application of the Secretary of the
Navy. be transferred t" the naval service,
IT, after filling mp the companies. regiments, bat
talltn> and <qHndr"ns from amy State, there shall
remain of the enrolled men. the excess shall be
kept : Il and stated Intervals not rx-
ceriing three months, details, to be made by lot.
shall be drawn from the reserve to keep the COM
panir< nearly full practicable. The persons
reserved remain at home until called into service.
and receive pay until actually mustered in.
They not. while ut home in reserve, subject
t" the rules and articles of except that if they
wiltully refuse to "b,y call of the President they
shall he held as drSrrtcrS and punished as sIch.
Whenever the President shall think that :he
tnceS 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 ntoservcr. who shall bring
with linn ii nlu>krt, shot gun. rifle cnrhne
crptrd efficient weapon, shall receive the
vanr If it a>c"rtain"d by the mastering officer
und"r such rrglati"n> the Secretary of War
may prescribe. "r if tn" be unwilling to SELL
he shall receive one dollar month for the use of
such arm.
Persons not liable to daty may be received as
substitutes, under such regulations as the Secretary
of War may prescribe.
Vacancies shall be flied by tie President from
tn" company, battalion, squadron regiment in
which such vacancies occur by promotion accord
ing to seniority. except i'll case OF disability or
either inc"mpetrncy.
The President may, however. fill IL vacancy by
promoting any officer of the company, battalion
squadron. "r regiment, who may have been dis
tlnguishcd i'll the service by vn"r and skill without
reference t" seniority. Vacancies in the lowest
grade of commissioned officers of a Company shall
bt htcd by election or the President may promote
t" such vacancy n"n-c"mmi>sioncd officers or
prlvateS. who have distinguished themselves by skill
and valor i'll the service. Persons NOT now in
service may. before being enrolled, volunteer with
existing companies in service