The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-08-11
AN ACT
IN RELATION TO THE MILITIA AND A GUARD
FOR HOME DEFENCE


Sec. 1. 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 the Militia Of the State shall be for the
same causes, and to the extent and no 1arther,
that prescribed in the of Congress OF the Con-
federac States providing for the enrolment OF men
for the public defence and granting exemptions from
the same, commonly called the conscrptIon ana ex-
emption acts
Sec 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the Governor to cause to be enrolled guard
for home defence all white male persons not already
enrolled in the service of the Confederate Sates be-
tween the ages of eighteen and fifty years. resident IN
this State including foreigners not naturalzed, who
have been residents in the State for thirty days before
such enrolment, excepting persons hlilng the ofhces
of Governor Judges of the Supreme and Superior
Courts Law and Equity, the members ofthe General
Assembly and the officers of the several Departments Of
the Government of the State, Ministers of the Gospel
ofthe several denominations of the 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 a
Captain of company for the same shall be deemed to
belong thereto and shall be held to service therein
either generally for any special duty Or expedition
the commanding officers Of regiments or companies,
according TO the nature OF the particular service IN
question may determine.
Sec A. Be it further enacted, That the Governor
shall cause all persons enrolled in pursuance of the
two preceding sections of this act to be formed into
companies with liberty to elect the commissioned of-
GERS of such companies and thence into battalons or
regiments brigades and divisions according to his dis
cretion and 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 s. 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 one 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 o
Quaker shall have paid had levied of his property
the sum Of hundred dollars under the act of Con-
gress called the conscrption law aforesaid, he shall
be required to pay any sum money for his ex-
emption under this act
Sec. 6. That the said guards for home defence may
be called out for service by the Governor in defence Of
the State against invasion and suppress INVASION
either by regiments batalions or companies, en- masse
by drafts volunteers from the same, he in his
discretion may direct shall be under his command,
through the officers appointed as herein provided:
shall serve only within the limits of this State and in
terms of duty be prescribed by the Governor, not
exceeding three months at one term They, or SO many
Of them may be at any time called into service,
may be organized into infantry, artillery or cavalry as
he may direct and the infantry and artillery may be
mounted if he shall determine. the men furnishing
their own horses and accoutrements and arms, when
approved by the Governor such terms as he shall
prescribe.
Sec + BE it further enacted That the Governor may
furnish to said troops the arms, accoutrements and
ammunition of the State when called aforesaid into
active service and shall prescribe rules for ther return
and prevent the waste, destruction or loss OF the
Sec s. Be it further enacted, That all laws and
clauses of laws coming within the meaning and pur
view of this act be- and the same are hereby repealed
Sec. o. Be it further enacted, That the commissions
of officers of the Militia called into service by this act
suspended only during the period of such service
Sec. To- Be it further enacted That this act shall be
in force from the date of its ratification.
TRatied the 7th day of July, 1863