Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-06-23
LOCAL DEFENCE.

LOCAL OFFENCE.
Tho enemy, disregsrding the usuasca Of civ
iizsd warfare hss adopted the policy Opium
de.ipg our private citizens, sand destroying their
property, whether it be used for military pur-
poses or not-nothing is saved. Whatever is
valuable, that can be carried fl, they steal !;
what cannot be removed, they destroy
Mills, g,anaries, CATTLE horses, slaves, proVi-
sions Of sll kiuds--even agricultural imple-
meuts, whatever my be Of tho most import
ance to cur people, OF the destruction of which
Tcu,d cause the mast suffering, seem to DO lbe
objects at which thsir efforts aro chiefly
directed.
L. is manifest ths. tho arrcics CT tbs Con-
fedsracy cannot DO disre.sed throughout tho
country, to protect tho citizsns agsinst these
raids or sudden end temporary incursions,
attempted whenever it is supposed that injury
can DO done to our Cause or our people.
Tho protection must be sough. from the
reserves of the population.
tho Governors of tho different States, for
quotas of militia to be used within tho limits
of their respective States; but to interfere as
little IS practicable with the productive in
dustry Of tho country, no has sisnihsd his
preference for voluntary organizations, to be
formed of thoae not now in tho active military
service.
Congress has made aup,o provisions to moot
tho exigencies Of this call.
By M act, approved 2lst August, 1861
entitled San act to provide for local defence
and special servics;" and by an .c', approved
on the 18th October, 1862, entitled san set to
authorize the formation of volunteer compan.
les for local defence
This latter act spplios more particularly to
mere neighborhood purposes; to protect the
people from marsudirg parties; and though
several of these local companies by u2iting
themselves together might form respectable
force, and become IN important means o.
defence, yet it's main purpose is TO embrace
within The organizations it provides for, tha.
portion of cur population who by reason of
age or inflrmities, are unable to leave their
particular. neighborhoods; and to secure to
those who arc willing to do what they can
against the enemy, The protection .ffoi dad by
their being mombers Of regular orgsnizs-
ton under our laws and recognized by cur
authorities inst the pretex!s Of the foe,
to treat citizens defending thsir own homes,
and those of their neighbors, as banditti.
Tho purpose Of tie former act is to raise a
force f,r the same purpose-lccal offence
but on q more extended plan, and moro
continuous service, and more complete or
ganiz ,tion is provided fer. Such troops
would certainly be moro efficient than the
militia called into service, and such organi
sstions would interfere loss with the indus
try of tho country, than calls Of tho militis
the difficulty Of assembling which, and Gre
assembling when dismiassd, would probably
lead to their being retained beyond tho i'm
mediate necessity:
Those uniting themselves with tho organi-
z.tions provided for by the act approved on
the 2lst August, 1861, will be accepted b.
tho President in lieu of al equal number Of
tho militia called for. It is, therefore, TO the
interest Of all persons liable to tho call to
unite themselves with such organizations,
whom they would DO called into service, aud
retained only SO long as to meet emergencies;
and it is the interest of all the ctiz.ns to give
every assistance, encouragement and induce
ment to the formation and perfection Of such
organizations.
1t is necessary that the requisite projection
be afforded to the community; and such de-
hcienciss as may exist on the LIST August next
must be rn,ds up by the militis, whatever
miy 80 the inconvenience to individuals or
localities.