The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-21
AN ACT
IN RELATION TO THE MILITIA AND GUARD
FOR HOME DEFENCE.

SIC l. Be if 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 the extent and no farther,
that prescribed i'll the acts of Congress OF the Con-
federate States providing for the enfomen OF hen
for the public defence and granting exemptions from
the same, commonly called the conscription and ex-
cmptOn acts
Sec O. Be it further enacted, That il shall be the
dutv of the Governor to cause be enrolled guard
for home defence all white, male persons not already
enrolled in the service of the Confederate States be-
tween the ages OF eighteen and fifty years. resdent1n
this State, including foreigners not naturallZed VINO
have been residents in the State for thirty days before
such enrolment, excepting persons filling the otilces
of Governor Judges of the Supreme and Superior
Courts of Law and Equity, the members ofthe General
Assembly and the officers of the several Departments OF
the Government OF the State, Ministers OF the Gospe
of the 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 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 and shall be held to service therein
either generally for any special duty or expedition
as the commanding officers of regiments or companies
according the nature OF the particular service IN
question may determine.
Sec 4. Be it further enacted, That the Governor
shall cause all persons enrolled in pursuance Of the
two preceding sections of this act 10 be formed into
companies with liberty to elect the commissioned DILL
GERS of such companies and thence into bttalons or
regmcnts brgades and divisions according TO his dis
cretion ana 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.
sum of hundred dollars according to an ordinance
Convention of this State in that behalf ratified
the 18th day of May, 1862. Provided that when a
Quaker shall have paid or had levied of his property
the sum Of five hundred dollars under the act Of Con-
crcss called the conscription law aforesaid, he shall
not be required to pay any sum Of money for his eX-
cmption under this act
Sec 6. That the said guards for home defence may
be called FOR service by the Governor in defence Of
either by regiments battalon companies, en- ndsse
drafts volunteers from the same he, in his
discretion may direct shall be under his command,
through the officers appointed as herein provided:
shall only within the limits of this State and in
terms Of duty to be prescribed by the Governor not
exceeding three months at one term They; or omany
of them may be at any time called into service
be organized into infantry, artillery cavalry
he NAV direct and the infantry and artillery may be
mounted if he shall determine, the men furnishing
their horses and accoutrements and arms, when
approved by the Governor, such terms as he shall
prescribe.
furaish said troops the arms, accoutrements and
ammunition Of the State when called aforesaid into
service and shall prescribe rules for their return
and prevent the waste, destruction Or loss of the
Sec 8. 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 0. 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 further enacted, That this shall be
in force from the date of its ratification.
Ratified the 7th day of July, 1863.