The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-10-30
BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
APROCLANIATEON.

/
vernon. whenever in his opinion the emergency
demands it, to call into service volunteers, t.
protect our citizens and repel invasion. These
| troops are intended for service in this Common
wealth. They are to be called cut for q term o1
service not exceeding sixty days at 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 companies,
and when embodied in sufficient numbers under
such orders, field officers will be appointed by
the Governor to command battalions or regi-
ments.
Companies are not to be organized under the
act until at least thirty men are enrolled Any
number OF men over thirty may elect Captain,
first and second Lieutenant But it is desira-
BILE that companies should be composed OF not
less than fifty men fit for service. When officers
are elected, they will endeavor to I'LL up then
ranks and report as soon as practicable, the for
nation 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 seyc-
raj officers When the officers are commission
ed, they will muster their men into the State
service, reportthe muster to the Adjutant Gene
raj of Virginia, and hold themselves and their
VUiApdAlcS al IcdulHCoo lOt AutU1V OAuSAo.
This force is to be composed of persons not
liable to 'conscriptien by the Confederate asthe-
rites, and to be differed by those not now il,
the service of that Government.
Companies already organized as home guards,
under the act passed 18th May, 1862, are not 10
be interfered with in this organization. Such
companies are not liable to be called into the
field without their consent Nor is it designed
in this call for volunteers to destroy any exist
ing organizations, but they will be preserved,
and are to be armed as q part of the force now
called for.
81 have caused 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 q new determination on the part d
the General Assembly to put forth the strength
of this Commonwealth in order to protect oul
citizens and maintain our independence. His.
tory has taught US that united and determin-
ed people may be overrun by superior .nuMbers.
but that they cannot be conquered if they are
firm enough to resist every assault, and in turn
to assail their assailants whenever opportunity
offers
Weintend net 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, faith
fully, and to the utmost Of our ability. This
force is deemed necessary to give to the State
the ability to meet emergencies which cannot be
promptly met by the Confederate Government:
and to prevent the withdrawal of troops from es-
sential positions. And it is sincerely hoped and
earnestly pressed upon the people to respond
with alacrity to the efforts of their representa-
tiyes to furnish adequate defence for positions
exposed to raids and incursions from detesta-
BILE foe. There are still thousands in Virginia
who have the patriotism to strike for their
homes, their families, their, property, and the
honor and glory OF the State. / invite them to
come forth now and enroll themselves in these
organizations.
{ ~ Given under my hand as Governor,
! and under the seal Of the Common
t. wealth of Virginia, this Both day Of
~ September, 1868, in the SSth year Of
the Commonwealth
1 ~ JOHN LETCHER
BY the Governor:
GEO. w. MuNFonD,
Sec'y ofthe Commonwealth.