The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-10-16
BY THE GOVERNOR or VIRGINIA.
APPROPRIATION.

The General Assembly has authorized the Go
vernon, whenever his opinion the emergency
demands it, to call into service volunteers. to
protect our citizens and repel invasion. These
troops are intended for service in this Common
wealth. They are toebe called cut for a term Of
service net exceeding sixty days at one tiupe are
to be organized, armed and equipped az State
troops, and to be paid rs such when called inte
the field under any Executive order
The force is to be. organized by conlpan es:
and when embodied In sufficient numbers under.
such orders, field officers viii be appointed by
sthe Governor to command .brttaliens or regi
ments. !; tsfe
Companies'ar are not to be organized under the
act until at least thirty men are enrolled Any
number OF men over thirty may elect b Captain
a irst and second Lieutenant. But it is desira-
BILE that companies should be Sompo> ed Of NOT
less than fifty men 1T for service. When officers
are elected, they will endeayt1' to fill up their
ranks and report as soon as.practlcatle the for
nation of the company to the Adjutant, General
stating the number enrolled,i the names of the
officers and their rank, the place selected for
their rendezvous and the post offices Of the seve-
raj officers. When the officers are commission
ed, they will muster their men into the State
service, report the muster to the Adjutant Gene
TAI Of Virginia, and hold themselves, aud their
companies in readiness for future or,lers
This force is to be compo,ed of persons not
liable to CONSUMPTION by tie enfederate auto-
rites, and to be differed by nose MT now in
the service Of that government
Companies already organized a. home guards,
under the act passed l4tlLAay. 1862, are not to
be interfered with in this organization. Such
companies are not liable to be called into the
aisld without their consent. Nor is il designed
an this call for volunteers to destroy any exist.
ing organizations, but they Will be preserved.
and are to be armed as part of the force now
called for s.
have caused to be appended herets the act
which authorizes the enrolment Of this new
force. as -
The people of Virginia wil'sce in the passage
of this law row determination on, the part Of
the General Asseniblyto put forth the strength
OF this Commonwealth in order 20 protect cur
citizens and maintain onr independence His
tory has taught US that united ard 'ictcrmin-
ed people may be overiun by superior numbers
but that they caanet be conquered if they arc
firm enough to resist every ASA ult, and in turn
to assail their assallants Whenever opportunity
offers. IS
We intend net to boast of the force that this
State las 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 trnops from es-
seltial positions. And it is sincerely hoped and
earnestly pressed upon the people to pond
with ;lacrity to tho 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 tie strike for their
homes, their families, their property, and the
honor and glory of the State. / invite them to
come forth now aud enroll themselves in these
organizations.
(--l Gives under my hand ns Governor.
and under the seal of the Common
1 wealth of Virginia, this soth day Of
9 September, 1868, in the S8th year Of
K the Commonwealth.
~ JOHN LETCHER.s =
- BY the Governor: ssls
GEo W. MuSRoRh,
& Sec'y of the Commonwealth.