Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-10-23
sTAUNToN, VA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER %, 1863.
RY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.:
A Proclamation,

BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA;
A Proclamation,
The General Assembly has authorized
| the Governor, whenever in his opinion the
emergency demands it, to call into service
volunteers, to protect our citizens and re-
pei invasion: These troops are intended
| for service in this Commonwealth. They
are to be called out for q term of service
not exceeding sixty days at any one time
are to be organized, armed and equipped as
State troops, and to be paid as such when
called into the field under any Executive
! order:
The force is to be organized by compa-
MES, aud when embodied in sufficient mum
/ bers under such orders, field officers will
appointed by the Governor to command
battalons or regiments
Companies are not to be organized under
! the act until at least thirty. men are en-
rolled. Any number Of men over thirty
may elect Captain, first and second
Lieutenant. But it is desirable that COM
pauies should be composed Of not less than
| fifty men 6t for service. When officers are
elected, they will endeayor to fill up their
ranks and report as soon as practicable, the
| formation of the company to the Adjutant
General, stating the number enrolled, the
names Of the officers and their rank, the
place selected for their rendezvous and the
post Offices Of the. several officers When
the officers are commissioned. they will
muster their men into the State service, re
port the muster to the Adjutant General OF
Virginia, and hold themselves and their
companies 10 readiness for future orders.
I his force is to be composed Of persons
!, not liable to transcription by the Confeder-
ate authorities, and to be differed by those
not now in the service of that Government,
Companies already organized as home
guards, under the act passed 18th May,
1862, are not to be nterfered with in this
organization. Such companies arc not LA
Bile to be called into the field without their
consent. Nor is it designed in this call for
volunteers to destroy any existing orgauiza-
tons, but they will be preserved, and are
to be armed as part of the force now called
| for
| have ca,ised to be appended hereto the
act which authorizes the enrolment of this
new force.
The people Of Virginia will see in the
passage Of this law. new determination
on the part of the General Assembly to put
forth the strength of this Commonwealth in
our Independence. History has taught us
| that united and determined people may be
overrun by superior numbers, but atthey
cannot be conquered if they are firm
enough to resist every assault, and in turn
to assail their assailants whenever opportu-
nifty offers.
We intend not to boast Of the force that
this State has called into the field, or the
treasure she has expended but we intend
to perform our duty to the Confederacy and
to ourselves, faithfully, and to the utmost
| of our ability. This force is deemed nec-
essary to give to the State the ability to
meet emergencies which cannot be prompt
| ly met by the Confederate government, and
| to prevent the withdrawal of troops from
essential positions And it is sincerely
hoped and earnestly pressed upon the PEG
pie to respond with alacrity to the efforts Of
their representatives to furnish adequate de-
/ fence for positions exposed to raids and in
cursions from detestable foe. There are
still thousands in Virginia who have the
/ patriotism to strike for their homes, their
! families their property, and the honor aud
/ glory Of the State. | invite them to come
forth now and enroll themselves in these or
CARNATIONS.
| 60 Given unier my hand as Gov
Il $. ernor, and under the seal Of the
~ Commonwealth of Virginia, this
| Both day Of S aptember, 1868, in theeighty-
t eighth year of the Commonwealths
JOHN LETCHER.
By the Governor
GEO. ". MuNFoRD.