The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-24
AN ACT
IN RELATION TO TIE MILITIA AND A 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 service in the Militia of the State, shall be for the
same causes and to the extent and no farther
that prescribed in the acts of Congress of the Con-
federate States, providing for the enrolment of men
for public defence and granting exemptions from
the same commonly called the conscription and ex-
emption acts.
Sec. 3 Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty the Governor to be enrolled guard
for home defence all white male persons already
enrolled in the service fthe Confederate States, be-
the ages of eighteen and fifty years, resident In
this State, including foreigners not naurazed, who
have residents in the State for thirty days before
such enroment excepting persons filling the offices
Of Governor, Judges of the Supreme and Superior
Courts ofLaW and Equity the members ofthe General
Assembly and the officers of the several Departments of
the Government of the State Ministers of the Gospel
ohe several denominations of the State charged with
the auies of churches and such other persons as
the Governor, for special reasons may deem proper
subjects of exemption
Sec B 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, shall be held service therein,
either generally for any special duty expedition
the commanding officers Of regiments companies,
according TO the nature 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
regiments, brigade5 and divisions according TO his dis
creton, he shall appoint the field officers of such
battalions, regiments, brigades and divisions, and
shall issue commissions in due form to all the officers
aforesaid.
Sec. 8 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
hundred dollars according to an ordinance
the Convention of this State in that behalf, ratified
the 18th dny of May, 1862. Provided that when Il
Quaker shall have paid or had levied Of his property
the sum five hundred dollars under the act of Con-
grcss called the conscription law aforesaid he shall
not be required pay any sum of money for bis ex-
cmption under this act.
Sec s. That the said guards for home defence may
be called for service by the Governor in defence of
the State against invasion and to suppress invasion,
either by regiments, batalions, companies, Masse,
by drafts Volunteers from the same he, fn his
discretion may dircct shall be under his command,
through the officers appointed herein provided;
only Within the limits of this State and in
of duty to 'he prescribed by the Governor not
exceeding three months term. They, or so many
Of may beat time called into service,
MAJ be organized into infantry, artillery cavalry
may direct and the infantry ard artillery may be
mounted if he shall determine, the furnishing
thrir horses and accoutremcnts and arms when
approved by the Governor on such terms as he shall
prescribe.
furnish to said troops the arms, accoutrements and
ammunition the State when called as aforesaid INTO
active service and shall prescribe rules for their return
and to prevent the waste destruction or loss OF the
same
Sec g. Be it further enacted, That all laws and
clauses of laws coming within the meaning and pnr
view of this act be- and the hereby repeated
Sec 9. BE it further enacted, That the commissions
of officers Militia called into service by tins act
suspended only during the period of such service
Be it further enacted That this act shall be
in force from the date of its ratification.
Ratified the 7th day of July, 1863