The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1863-09-05
The militia Law Of June 2oth 1863.

Section 2. BE it further enacted, &c, That
the Militia shall be composed OF all the white
male residents of the State between the ages OF
seventeen and fifty years, not in the actual civil
or military service of the Confederate States,
and all foreigners or citizens OF other OF the Con-
federate States, who have. resided sixty days
within this State or who may have engaged in
any business, traffic4e trade, occupation or pro-
tession, in the State since the beginning OF the
present war. No substitutes shall be received
for any person liable to zatiEta duty.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, &c, That the
companies thus organized shall be armed by the
State and be prepared to respond without delay
to any call made by the Governor for the Militia
or any part thereof, by sections platoons or COM
panies, for the defense of the State. The sec
tiens, platoons or companies thus called Out,
shall repair forthwith to place OF rendezvous
designated by the Governor. or other officer Tor
further orders; if any person subject to the call
fail to respond within a reasonable delay, he
shall be arrested and tried by Court Martial, to
be convened by the Commander-in. Chief or
Senior Officer ass the place of rendezvous, to
consist Of nine commissioned officers and "a
Judge Advocate, and if found guilty he shall be
sentenced to fine, not less than fifty nor morr'
than five thousand dollars or Imprisonment in
the parish Jail, not less than ten nor more than
ninety days, or to such other less punishment as
the Court Martial may decree, and after execu-
tion OF the sentence of the Court, he shall be
retained in service. Ii the delinquent be an
officer, he shall be cashisred and placed in the
ranks; Provided that no sentence of Court
Martial be carried into execution before being
approved by the officer ordering the same. So
Sec. 13. Be it further enacted. &c, That the
following persons shall be exempted from the
provision of this act: The members of the
Legislature, the Judges of the Supreme and
District Courts. the Attorney General and Dis
trct Attorneys, the Oldest Justice of the Peace
residing at the seat of justice in each parish, the
Secretary of the State and Assistant Secretary of
State, Auditor of Public Accounts, CHIEF and
Assistant Clerk in his office, the Commissioner
OF the General Land Ofices Chief Clerk and
Assistant Clerk of the Land Office, the Superin-
tendant of Public Education, the Secretary and
Assistant Secretary of the Senate. the Clerk and
Assistant Clerk Of the House of Representa-
tiyes, the Sergeants at Arms of the Senate and
House of Representatives, Sheriffs, Clerks of
Courts, Parish Recorders and Assessors, Presi-
dents of Police Jnries the Mayors of incorpo-
rated Cities aad Towns, the Treasurer of each
Town or Parish or City, now in Office, persons
who reside in parishes occupied by the enemy
and who have fed from their homes, the Editor
OF each newspaper and as many compositors as
he shall declare on oath necessary to carry ON
his business. Physicians of five years practice,
one Apothecary for each drug store. ministers of
the Gospel having charge of congregations,
every head of family consisting of ten white
persons or children dependent upon his personal
exertions for support, overseers on plantations
owned by persons in the army, widows and
minors, Presidents of incorporated railroad con-,
panies, and such officers and employees as the
president shall make oath are Indispensable to
ths proper running and working of the road,
Milers owning steam or water miEs and now
grinding for the public, Registers and Receivers
of the local Land Offices, all Tanners who shall
make affidavit that they had at the time of the
passage of this act, not less than five hundred
sides in TAM and all persons who are totally unfit
tor service by some bodily or mental infirmity to
be shown by the certificate of respectable ply
sician. who shall certify under OATH stating the
nature and effects of the disease as near as he
can, which if approved by the Enrolling Officer
he shall discharge the person holding such certi
fcate. n
Sec. IA. Be it further enacted, dc, That
whenever any soldier OF militia men. enrolled
and drafted under this act, arrives at the age of
City years, he shall be discharged.
Sec. .21. Be 1t further enacted, &C., That the
several Captains Of the several militia companies
of this State shall be authorized on any sudden
to call out their respective companies
Chief and in service under such call,
The Captain is hereby authorized TO contract for
and purchase subsistence for his men, to be paid
lor by the Quartermaster General.
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