The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-01
AN ACT
IN RELATION TO THE MILITIA AND GUARD
FOR HOME DEFENCE.


SEC l. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted
by the authority of the same, That the exemptions
from in the Militia of the State shall be for the
same causes and the extent and farther,
that prescribed in the of Congress Of the Con
federate States providing for the enrolment of men
for the public defence and granting exemptions from
the same commonly called the conscription and ex-
cInptiOn acts.
Sec @ Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the Governor to be enrolled guard
for home defence all white male persons already
enrolled in the service Of the Confederate States, be-
the ages of eighteen and fifty years. resident in
this State, including foreigners not naturaliZed who
have been residents in the State for thirty days before
such enrolment excepting persons hlllng the ohces
of Governor, Judges of the Supreme and Superior
Courts of Law and Equity the members of the General
Assembly and the officers the several Departments of
Government of the State, Ministers of the Gospel
of the several denominations ofthe State charged with
the duties of churches, and such other persons as
the Governor, for special reasons, may deem proper
subjects of exemption.
Sec 3. Be it further enacted, That all persons above
the age of fifty, who may volunteer for service in said
guard for home defence, and shall be accepted by
Captain of company for the same, shall be deemed to
belong thereto and shall be held to service therein,
either generally or for any special duty or expedition
the commanding officers of reg iments companies,
according the of the particular service in
question may determine.
Sec 4. Be it further enacted, That the Governor
shall all persons enrolled in pursuance of the
preceding sections of this act to be formed into
companies with liberty elect the commissioned Off
of such companies, and thence into battaons or
regiments brgades and divisions according to his dis
cretiOn AMI he shall appoint the held ohcers OF such
battalions regiments, brigades and divisions, and
shall issue commissions in due form to all the ohcers
aforesaid
Sec 5, Be it further enacted, That members of the
Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, may be
exempted from the provision OF this act by paying the
of hundred dollars according to an ordinance
of the Convention of this State in that behalf ratified
the 18th day of May, 1862 Provided that when
Quaker shall have paid or had levied of his property
the of five hundred dollars under the act OF Con-
gress called the conscription Law aforesaid, he shall
not be required to pay any of money for his ex-
emption under this act.
Sec 6. That the said guards for home defence may
be called for service by the Governor in defence of
the State against invasion ad to suppress lnVaslon
either by regiments, batalions companies, mdsse
by drafts volunteers from the as he in his
discretion may direct; shall be under his command
through the officers appointed as herein provided
shall only within the limits of this State, and in
of duty be prescribed by the Governor, not
exceeding three months at term. They or so many
of them may be at time called into SERVICE
may be organized into infantry, artillery cavalry as
he may direct, and the infantry and artillery may be
mounted if he shall determine the furnishing
their horses and accoutrements and arms, when
approved by the Governor such terms as he shall
prescribe
Sec. T. Be it further enacted That the Governormay
furnish said troops the arms, accoutrements and
ammunition of the State when called aforesaid into
service shall prescribe rules for their return
and prevent the waste, destruction or loss OF the
Sec g. Be it further enacted, That all laws and
clauses of laws coming within the meaning and pur-
view of this act be, and the hereby repealed
Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That the commissions
of officers of the Militia called into service by tls act
suspended only during the period of such service
Sec. Be it further enacted That this act shall be
in force from the date of its ratification.
Ratified the 7th day of July, 1863